EMpowerED

Celebrating the Power of Early Childhood Educators

Thursday, October 17th | 5:30 - 7:30 pm
EmPowerEd

Celebrating the Power of Early Childhood Educators Symposium

"EMpowerED" is not just a celebration; it's a testament to the powerful impact early childhood educators have on our community. We look forward to gathering with you to honor these champions of education.

The heart of our community lies in the hands of its youngest members and the dedicated educators who shape their future.

We are thrilled to announce our second annual gathering to celebrate these efforts: "EMpowerED: Celebrating the Power of Early Childhood Educators," an inspiring evening designed to honor those who have made significant contributions to early childhood education in Teton County.

Scheduled for Thursday, October 17th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at The Lodge Conference Center's Cheyenne Room, this event will celebrate childhood educators and bring together a diverse group of individuals passionate about the profession.

This special evening will focus on recognizing the incredible work of early childhood educators who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to nurturing and educating the youngest members of our community. The event will feature a keynote speech by Laurie Andrews from the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, as well as quick and lively presentations by local educators (including last year’s winner) that highlight the innovative and impactful work happening in early education today.

"EmPowerEd" is not just an event; it's a gathering of minds, hearts, and aspirations, all aligned to support the growth of our community's youngest members and the dedicated professionals who mold their minds.

The future is bright, and it's thanks to the dedicated early childhood educators of Teton County.

"EmPowerEd: Celebrating the Power of Early Childhood Educators" is set to celebrate these under-recognized champions of education by exploring their unique challenges and the vast opportunity for increased support and resources for professionals in their field. 

The heart of the event lies in its engaging panel discussions and roundtable conversations. Early childhood educators are the backbone of our community's future, and these discussions will delve deep into the unique challenges they face and the extraordinary opportunities they create. Attendees will gain insight into the multifaceted world of early education, exploring ways to support these educators and contribute to the future of Teton County.

Excellence in Early Education Award

In addition to the inspiring presentations, we will proudly announce the winners of our 2024 Early Childhood Educator Awards including the “Childhood Champion” Award which will be awarded to a grand prize winner ($5000) and two “Elite Educator” Awards ($2500 each). These awards honor educators who have demonstrated outstanding dedication, creativity, and leadership in their classrooms and communities.

Nominations are open to parents, community members, fellow educators, and employers who wish to recognize the extraordinary efforts of early childhood educators in Teton County. We encourage everyone to participate and highlight the remarkable work these individuals are doing to build a brighter future for our children. Nominations were submitted from September 16th to 29th, 2024

2024 EMpowerED Winners

Childhood Champion

$5,000 prize

Paige Fisher

Director of Early Childhood,
Mountain Academy Preschool

Paige has been with Mountain Academy for over 10 years. She empowers children to grow into their own best selves while keeping the parents engaged and excited. She’s created a program that fosters children's curiosity and independence through place based learning (even at the age of 18 months). She is committed to advancing early childhood education locally through offering exceptional professional learning programs for educators.

Elite Educator

$2,500 prize

Charlotte Souter

Teton County School District Grizzlies

Charlotte employs a variety of engaging activities that cater to different learning styles, ensuring that every child feels seen and valued. She creates an environment where friendships thrive, and teaches children valuable social skills through cooperative games and group activities. She also places a strong emphasis on including families in the educational process, and maintaining open lines of communication.

 

Elite Educator

$2,500 prize

Diane McGee

Tiny Explorers Preschool

Diane opened her early childhood program known as "Tiny Explorers" in 2020 based on her passion for outdoor education and experiential based learning. She has a deep knowledge of the outdoors and empowers children to be stewards of the environment. Diane encourages problem-solving in her young students whether interpersonal or when facing new challenges, and she is a wonderful communicator with both the parents and students.

2024 Symposium Nominees

Eugenia Ayala, CLC  
Sara Bontecou, Little Acorns Academy 
Kara Borgeson, JH Discovery
Cristina Campos, CLC 
Selena Cano, Little Acorns Academy  
Jessica Castillo, CLC  
Adrienne Coca, CLC 
Rilla Ferreira, CLC  
Justin Finch, CLC   
Paige Fisher, Mountain Academy Preschool
Kathy Greger, Little Explorers Preschool  
Luz Hernandez, TCSD Cubs
Amanda Lack, Little Lambs
Danny Martin, Mountain Academy Preschool
Mary Beth Mason, CLC  
Diane McGee, Tiny Explorers  
Kimberly Parker, Pumpkin Patch  
Virginie Rachart, JHMR/Kids Ranch Preschool  
Monica Rangel, Little Acorns Academy 
Laura Silverman, Moose Corner Preschool 
Charlotte Souter, TCSD Grizzlies 
Tori Summerlin, Little Acorns Academy  
Veronica Tzompa, Little Acorns Academy  
Grace Werner, Mountain Academy Preschool   
Wendy Williams, CLC

2023 Symposium Winners

Childhood Champion


Elite Educator 1


Elite Educator 2


2023 Symposium Nominees