(SNR) – The Diocese of Lincoln is partnering with the Ruth Staples Early Childhood Lab School from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) for the “Playful Spirit Summit” July 29-30.
The summit is open to early childhood educators, para educators, kindergarten teachers, pastors, and administrators.
The event was started by Jeremy Ekeler of Lincoln because he saw the impact early childhood education, done through a Catholic lens, has on the broader community: “to honor the parent, strengthen the family, lift up the school, and form the child in Christ’s loving hands is vital to our Church, our schools, and the future of our diocese.”
Currently the associate director for education policy for the Nebraska Catholic Conference, Ekeler previously worked in early childhood efforts, K-8 administration, teaching high school and coaching high school and college athletics. Before going to the Catholic Conference, he was principal of Cathedral of the Risen Christ School in Lincoln. His wife Susan is an early education special education teacher.
Jeremy Ekeler said a common call from early childhood educators is for fellowship.
“Many of our schools already feel isolated geographically, or inside of their public school district,” he said. “That is compounded for early childhood, which is generally a misunderstood but vital educational approach.”
With limited chances to socialize and network, and a void in quality training for those in early childhood education, he said it “seemed wise to embed networking into the instruction provided.”
The summit will begin with a kick-off from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 29 at the Staples lab outdoor classroom, 1855 N. 35th St., Lincoln. A local food truck will be available for meal purchases.
July 30 is dubbed “A Day to Engage the Playful Spirit,” and begins at 8:30 a.m. at the East Campus Union, 1705 Arbor Dr. Amber Jara, MA L-CCC-SLP of the Jara Speech Language and Literacy Clinic, will deliver the keynote address at 9 a.m., “Identifying Ways to See the Exceptional Individual Needs of all Children.” That will be followed by addresses from the Ruth Staples Early Childhood Lab School director, a teacher and early childhood coach.
After lunch, breakout sessions will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. One of the sessions will be from the Eaglet Program at Cathedral of the Risen Christ School in Lincoln. Elizabeth Izquierdo and Patricia Korensky will present the “Evolution of the Outdoor Classroom” at Cathedral’s preschool program.
The event wraps up at 4:30 p.m.
A few spaces are still open for the 50-person event. Interested parties can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions, or to request a registration link.
