Early Childhood Alumni Association
By Dr. Patricia Vardin
On October, 11, 2007 , The Early Childhood Alumni Association held its first meeting, launching a new alumni group for the School of Education at Manhattanville College.
Seven alumni attended the meeting including Marty Berntsen, Renee Ferrito, Barbara Flynn Laura McDermott, Susanne McHugh, Tina Pezzullo and Laura Woodson . Susanne McHugh and Barbara Flynn were established as co-Presidents of the organization and Dr. Patricia Vardin, Chair of the Early Childhood Education Department, offered to serve as the faculty advisor. In Dean Shelley Wepner welcomed alumni back to Manhattanville and offered her support for the association as well as praise to the alumni for their interest and initiative in forming the organization. Members then discussed the goals and objectives of the group and discussed plans for the 2007-2008 school year. They agreed that the organization would focus on several key purposes including creating opportunities for professional development, networking, sharing instructional practices and social activities .
In addition to the organizational meeting, the group met four times during the 2007-2008
school year. In November , the association met for a networking dinner at a restaurant close to Manhattanville College . On December 5, 2007, The ECH Alumni Association hosted
Dr. Paul J. Donahue, a nationally recognized clinical psychologist and author of a new book “Parenting Without Fear”. Dr. Donohue gave a presentation entitled “Developing Positive Relationships With Parents” which included a question and answer segment and a book signing.
The Association also sponsored a film/discussion night on March 26, 2007. Members had the opportunity to watch a film on classroom management and discuss the content of the film afterwards. The last event of the year was held on May 1, 2008. The Association had a reception to network and to welcome soon-to-be graduates of the Early Childhood Department. The program for the event was a presentation on “Facilitating Young Children’s Speech and Language Development in the Early Childhood Classroom.” The presenters were Speech Pathologists Jaclyn Israel, M.A., CCC and Nancy Trommer-Thaul, M.S., CCC. A dinner and a discussion followed the presentation.
The Early Childhood Education Alumni Association is looking forward to planning events for the coming year and contacting and welcoming new members. If you are interested in joining the Association, please contact Dr. Vardin at 914-798-2714.