St. Patrick’s Faculty Shine at the MAESA Early Childhood Conference

On November 7, many of our faculty attended the annual Mid-Atlantic Episcopal Schools Association (MAESA) Early Childhood Educators Conference, hosted by Washington Episcopal School! This year’s Conference theme was titled “It Takes a Team: Supporting Every Child, Every Day.” Teachers from various Episcopal Schools in the area gathered to learn and grow as educators.

As MAESA President, Jalene Spain Thomas introduced Keynote Speaker Tia Henteleff, author of 
As We Begin: Dispositions of Mind, Learning, and the Brain in Early Childhood, one of the Day School Faculty and Staff summer 2025 reading selections.

We are particularly proud of our own Day School faculty and staff members, who led the following MAESA ECE Conference workshops and discussions: 

“Parent Engagement in the Early Years: Bridging the Gap Between Parents and the Classroom” Presenters: Iesha Myhand, Morgan Mason, and Bryan Spalviero (P. ‘26) - St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School Description: The early childhood years are such an exciting time for children and families. As little ones make new friends, grow in their skills, and build bonds with teachers in school, many parents are also experiencing school for the very first time. In this workshop, two classroom teachers and a classroom parent will share and invite you to share and brainstorm ways to welcome, engage, and build trust with families while creating memorable experiences that strengthen our classroom community together.

“The Art of Conversation: Strategies to Support Student Conversation in a Post-Covid World” Presenters: Sydney Britton and Amy Thomas-Martinez - St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School Description: We taught our students not to talk during the pandemic. How do we teach them to start again? Two kindergarten teachers share the shifts they have noticed in conversational skills since 2020 and the strategies they are using to reteach these important skills.

Each presenter prepared insightful and thought-provoking workshops that exemplified just how skilled and knowledgeable our faculty and staff are!