Georgia Baptists, Noonday Association partner for online weekday preschool training

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MARIETTA — To prepare for the upcoming school year, weekday preschool ministry leaders have utilized the training offered through Noonday Baptist Association each July. Due to an increased demand and COVID-19 restrictions, this year Noonday is partnering with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board to provide more training options.

Scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, the event will be held from 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. at the reduced price of $30 per person. Large group sessions will be led by educator Dr. Jean Feldman and Amber Weldon-Stephens, Kennesaw State University professor as well as department chair and internship director for the Music Therapy Department with the Fulton County School System.

Expansion of the training came after requests began about a year ago, said Jenni Carter of the Next Gen department for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.

“We began planning to have a preschool weekday training event in Macon to accompany the original site at First Baptist Woodstock,” she said. “We would utilize many of the same conference speakers and training the same week.”

The shutdown due to the coronavirus changed those plans, but not the demand. Carter explained how churches have said they're going to use the new format to train leaders.

“Many weekday directors are planning to bring their team to their church to begin planning for the new school year, watching the large group sessions together and breaking out into separate rooms for the breakout sessions. There’s 30 minutes between each session, so there’s enough time for a quick break and even discussion between teachers to plan how to implement strategies in their setting.”

Those breakouts cover topics such as including fun science ideas to put in the classroom, led by Greenforest Community Baptist Church, Decatur member and Dekalb County Schools chemistry teacher Mary DePass. Another session leader, Allison Clarke, said “I’m looking forward to continuing to discuss ways that we can connect with our children and help build important life-long social skills.” 

Added another breakout leaders, Caitlin Felps: “I cannot wait for the Georgia Baptist Weekday Conference. Let’s build up your tool box so you are better equipped to connect, teach, and guide each and every kid who walks through your door.”

Registration and a virtual tour of the event are available through Noonday Baptist Association. Carter added that 5.25 credit hours from Bright From the Start are available for those who participate in each session. For more information contact Carter at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board or Kim Harris at Noonday Baptist Association.

children's ministry, training