2025 Pre-K Teacher Academy
On November 14, 2025, The Literacy Cooperative (TLC) hosted its annual Pre-K Teacher Academy, a free, day-long learning experience designed for childhood educators in Northeast Ohio.
This year’s academy was held in collaboration with and hosted at the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio, alongside partners Cuyahoga County Public Library, Starting Point, and Invest in Children. It was sponsored by The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.
“This academy is great because of the planning committee,” said Laureen Atkins-Holliday, organizer and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at TLC. “We have a team committed to early childhood education and to providing quality sessions and activities all day long.”
More than 170 preschool teachers from across Northeast Ohio came together for a day devoted to reflection and intentional teaching. The Teacher Academy emphasized what educators deserve most: time to recharge, learn, and reconnect with the core of their practice.
“The excitement of seeing so many teachers from so many districts and preschools together connecting and learning from each other is worth everything,” Atkins-Holliday said.
The day began with a warm welcome from TLC President Robert Paponetti, followed by a plenary session led by Jim Connell, titled “Recognizing Yourself in Your Teaching.”
Participants then attended OCCRRA-approved professional development and Teachers-Teaching-Teachers sessions, allowing them to learn directly from expert practitioners and fellow educators.
“The breakout sessions give you new insight and information on what you can do better or do more of in your classroom,” said Rosalind Jacobs, first-time attendee.
The day also included networking opportunities, free Dolly Parton Imagination Library books to bring back to their classrooms, and moments of teacher self-care throughout the event.
“It’s refreshing to learn from other professionals on how to enhance our practice,” said first time attendee, Kenya Gest. “I will definitely be coming back and bringing more colleagues”
The academy concluded with raffles, closing remarks, and encouragement for educators to bring their new knowledge back to their classrooms to support the next generation of readers and thinkers.
Click here for more information about upcoming professional development sessions.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR PLANNING COMMITTEE AND SPONSORS
Laurie Atkins-Holliday - The Literacy Cooperative
Jim Connell - Consultant
Meagen Farell - Consultant – The Literacy Cooperative
Tippi Foley - Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio
Shawn Holden - East Cleveland Schools
Jennifer McNellie – Starting Point
Joan Spoerl – The Literacy Cooperative
Lea Travis – Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio
Maria Trivisonno – Cuyahoga County Public Library
Joy Welch-Bey - Invest in Children
Sponsors
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio