Education Speaker Panel 

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Focus Area: Early Childhood Education in the Age of Covid-19

Featured Speaker: Sonia Manzano

“Maria” on Sesame Street & Author

The positive impact of early childhood education on child development has been proven.  One of the best indicators of whether a child could go to college is the simple act of a parent reading to a child. Added to this is the belief that when a family is provided the tools and resources to support the child on an early educational journey, that family also learns and grows.  Parental involvement can pave the way to a greater family stability and an increased interest in education.  How has Covid-19 changed this dynamic?  How can our community continue to maximize the interest in education and provide needed support resulting in benefits for the entire family?  Early intervention in childhood development is an effective tool in keeping a child on the best path forward.  How do we strengthen those interventions?  This speaker panel will identify the best tools and resources as APM continues to invest in children and in their families.

The panel featured the following speakers in addition to Ms. Manzano:

Pedro Rivera, Former Secretary of Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education

Dr. Robert Stechuk, Director of Early Childhood Education Programs, UnidosUS

Avi Wolfman-Arent, WHYY Education Reporter (Moderator)

Program Book