Catherine Hershey Schools Launches Year-Long Training Program for Harrisburg Educators and Staff
HARRISBURG, Pa. – September 12, 2023 – Today, Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS) hosted a convocation celebrating the launch of its second nearly year-long professional development program. The event welcomed the teachers and staff of CHS Harrisburg, who will begin their full-time employment with the fully paid program. The program prepares the staff of nearly 80 individuals to serve children through an exemplary early childhood education experience at CHS Harrisburg upon opening in 2024.
“The program will enable the teachers and staff time to integrate into CHS and understand both our mission and commitment to collaborating with families, service providers, and the broader community to expand our collective efforts in improving the lives of Harrisburg children and families,” said CHS Executive Director Senate Alexander. “We have already seen the impact that this professional development program has made in preparing our CHS Hershey staff and look forward to seeing the same for our team in Harrisburg.”
Today’s event included remarks from CHS leaders, including CHS and MHS President Pete Gurt, CHS Executive Director Senate Alexander, and CHS Harrisburg Center Director Malissa Lorenzo (Doster). Guest speakers included keynote speaker Tina Keller, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Education & Associate Professor of TESOL Education and Harrisburg City Councilman Ralph Rodriguez.
“Failure is no longer possible when we come together as a community, with only the betterment of those we serve on the agenda,” said Harrisburg City Councilman Ralph Rodriguez. “Providing these early developmental services can be why a parent can return to work on time after the birth of their child and a student moving to kindergarten, will be at a proficient level or higher.”
CHS’ professional development program will further expand its teachers’ and staff’s existing skills and knowledge while leveraging best practices in early childhood education training. The topics covered during the professional development program include early childhood education foundations, curriculum and assessment, family success, and health and safety. The program is hosted at an off-site facility during the construction of CHS Harrisburg, where City of Harrisburg Mayor, Wanda Williams, participated in a beam-topping at the North 6th and Muench Street location in July.
“Professional development for early childhood educators is crucial in promoting children’s emotional, social, and cognitive development,” said CHS Harrisburg Center Director Malissa Lorenzo (Doster). “Allowing the team to grow and work together over the next year will build a solid foundation for CHS Harrisburg and will also support the local ECE community as we continue to invite them to participate in training with us, when possible.” Last year, CHS hosted its inaugural ECE Leaders Summit for educators, social workers, advocates, and policymakers from Central Pennsylvania.
CHS is part of Milton Hershey School’s (MHS) $350 million initiative to initially develop six Early Childhood Education Centers (ECECs) in Pennsylvania. The locations include Hershey, opening this fall; Middletown, scheduled to open in 2025; and New Danville, Lancaster City, and Elizabethtown, expected to begin opening in 2026.
ABOUT CATHERINE HERSHEY SCHOOLS FOR EARLY LEARNING
Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS) will provide non-residential, year-round weekday care and education to children from birth to age 5 from under-resourced and over-burdened backgrounds, with all costs covered for qualifying families. CHS is a subsidiary of Milton Hershey School (MHS) and is part of a $350 million initiative to develop six Early Childhood Education Centers in Pennsylvania. For more information, visit chslearn.org.
ABOUT MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL
Milton Hershey School is one of the world’s best private schools, where qualifying students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade live on campus and receive an exceptional educational experience—with all costs covered. For more information, visit mhskids.org.
