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ECEnet members include educators working with children from birth through age eight in a variety of settings:

• infant and toddler programs
• child care
• preschool
• kindergarten through second grade

ECEnet’s purpose is to develop a fuller understanding of the multifaceted role of the Lutheran early childhood educator and to provide support, resources and growth opportunities for carrying out this ministry.

Network Leadership Team:

Lisa Schmidt, Chair, Lincoln NE

Laura Busse, Springfield, IL

Drew Gerdes, Springfield, MO

Cheryl Iverson, Everett, WA

Julie Klopke, Arlington Heights, IL

ECEnet’s Book Connection archives

ECEnet’s Bulletin Board archives

LEA Early Childhood Leadership Institute information

In the Online Library:

May 2008 and accompanying "Footprints" poem

ECEnet Tidbits ... November 2007 issue

Special ePublication: Tips on celebrating National Lutheran Schools Week 2007 in early childhood programs.

Read ECEnet's Special Report (January 2005) titled "Creating Successful Readers & Writers: An Introduction to the building Blocks Literacy Model" by Drew D. Gerdes.

ECEnet Tidbits ... February 2008 issue

Songs, finger plays, etc., for March 2008

ECEnet-supported events and resources include:

• Internet listserv (request subscription from ed.grube@lea.org.
• Articles in Shaping the Future magazine for LEA members
• Video lending library – available to all LEA members free of charge for a period of one week per video. All videos have been selected to represent a broad range of topics and interests related to the field of early childhood education and do not necessarily reflect the views of LEA-ECEnet. Click here to download a video catalog and loan request form in PDF format. (You may also call LEA at 708-209.3343 to request a print copy by mail or fax.
• Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher and Outstanding New Early Childhood Teacher Awards. See general qualifications below:

LEA Awards from ECEnet

2009 Recipients of LEA ECEnet Awards:

Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher: Amy Neumann

Outstanding New Early Childhood Teacher: Leah Schmidt

LEA Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher

• Strong commitment to serving the Lord

• Active in local community as well as Lutheran community

• Commitment to excellence and meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children and families

• Teacher in preschool through grade 2 at a Lutheran early childhood center, preschool, or elementary school

• Four (4) or more years experience in a Lutheran school

• Equipped and willing to profess and teach Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective; desirable: Synodically trained, colloquized, or active participant in Colloquy program

• Demonstrates effective teaching skills 

• Active member of LEA, participant in ECEnet, and member of other professional associations

LEA Outstanding New Early Childhood Teacher

• Strong commitment to serving the Lord with strong potential for future service in Lutheran education

• Active in local community as well as Lutheran community

• Commitment to excellence and meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children and families

• Teacher in preschool through grade 2 at a Lutheran early childhood center, preschool, or elementary school

• Three or fewer years experience in a Lutheran school

• Equipped and willing to profess and teach Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective; desirable: Synodically trained, colloquized, or active participant in Colloquy program

• Demonstrates effective teaching skills 

• Active member of LEA, participant in ECEnet, and member of other professional associations

Publications Archive

Issues of several publications distributed in 2002 to 2004 are available for viewing or download from the links below.

ECEnet News Flash Fall 2002  (leadership, computers, activities for God Chose Me)

ECEnet News Flash Winter 2003  (reception areas, listserv, introduction to Networks, gifts of God, video library)

ECEnet News Flash Insert Winter 2003  (chapel based on Psalm 127:3)

ECEnet Early Childhood Place Summer 2003 (professional growth, getting ready for new school year, outdoor activities)

Faith Grows Devotion (2003)  (take-home devotionals under the theme "Faith Grows in the Home" for ages 2-3, 4-5, and 6-7)

ECEnet Special Edition 2004  (stress, chapel talk based on Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)