The last few years we have had opportunities to reflect on many things; including how much we value coming together as a community to not only learn, but to just be together and enjoy each other’s company.
Since March 2020, we have had a few small group in-person opportunities and each time we heard how wonderful it was to be together again. On October 22-23 this year, we held the Wellness and Discovery Conference. The return of our wellness retreat in person was much needed for so many and we were fortunate to have almost 100 educators able to join us at this event. From the workshop session choices, the food, the fun and games, the gifts, the treats, the beautiful weather and the most important thing: being together in-person, hugs, seeing people’s faces, reconnecting with those we haven’t seen for a while and meeting new people!
Continuing with the idea of past wellness retreats, this conference focused on the wellness of the educators – we know how important it is in all the work we do, to take care of ourselves. The choices of sessions allowed everyone to choose something new they wanted to try or to do something they know they love to do; there was also the opportunity to not participate in a session and do something on their own (enjoy some quiet time or any of the amenities of the resort or nearby).
Hearing the wonderful stories and seeing the interactions between everyone on this weekend was heartwarming and a reminder of how much we need opportunities like this.
If you attended any portion of this Wellness & Discovery Conference, it would be greatly appreciated if you could share a piece of documentation (a written reflection, a photo/collage of photos, a quote, etc.) that can be shared in a document to highlight why this type of professional development is so important.
(please note there were different journals, so it may not be the same as pictured)
Early Learning Quality Initiative 