Melinda Martinez-Epperson M. Ed.

Founder of The Play Lab&Chicago Underground. EC Educator, Advocate, and Teacher Leader. Teach Plus National Policy Advisory Board & Illinois ECE Policy Fellow.

[Teach Plus IL @TeachPlusIL]

HB 4577 has officially passed the IL GA! This bill defines play-based learning so our youngest learners can thrive.
Thank you to our champions Rep. @LauraFaverDias, Sen. @MaryforIL , @TeachPlusIL & @EarlyEdIL!
Take the Play Pledge & join us: https://t.co/2IW49TinTH

#HB4577 #ILEd

[Chalkbeat Chicago @chalkbeatCHI]

This educational approach may look like just fun and games to an outsider — and it partially is. But incorporating play in the classroom is harder than it looks. https://t.co/dBSczLFiyF

[ChicagoBACP @ChicagoBACP]

The first in-person #ChicagoBusinessResourceExpo of 2026 is Saturday, May 16, 8:30am to 1:30pm, at Truman College! Get access to expert advice and free resources.

Learn more about the free expo and register to attend: https://t.co/jDzQUkrr66 https://t.co/4nxxX3Eqph

[Illinois Action For Children @IAFC_Cares]

Join us in Springfield for Early Childhood Advocacy Day on May 13! Help shape policies and invest in Illinois’ youngest learners. Learn more and watch our Advocacy 101 training videos: https://t.co/OmfiAiRmcK #EarlyEd #Advocacy

[Chicago Underground @ChiUnderground7]

Join me and First Five Years Fund in encouraging Congress to prioritize funding for our federal early learning and child care programs. https://t.co/Mm6LINI4EA

[HarvardCenter @HarvardCenter]

Play is an essential part of early childhood development. Check out these resources from our friends at the @NCITorg as they celebrate “May All Babies Thrive Month,” with today’s theme on the importance of play: https://t.co/IJkBpv25nb

[Mark Cuban @mcuban]

I'm against a reduction in benefits for Medicaid recipients. In fact I would like to see them get more benefits.
BUT
The way the system is currently constructed to move dollars from the fed gov to states and then to beneficiaries, like much of our health care system, is backass halfwards.

States have learned how to arbitrage current laws to increase their receipts (see provider taxes ), insurance companies and their PBMs are still in the middle. Both create a lot of room for cost cuts, not only for taxpayers, but for the entire system

However. Talking about cuts and Medicaid is political suicide. What this really needs to be about is Medicaid Process Simplication.

We need to make changes.

Let's do what needs to be done across all of healthcare. Simplify it. Remove the arbitrage.
Start with the patient, rather from the budget and work down

There is no silver bullet, but there are ways to make improvements and save money
@HHSGov

[McCormick Institute for Early Childhood @McCormickInst]

And we're off! Welcome to the first day of Leadership Connections, "Leadership in Bloom."

#LeadershipConnections #LC2025

[Pam Kastner @liv2learn]

Thank you for sourcing this data, Teach Plus PA!

Thank you for sourcing this data @TeachPlusPA ! Educators would you like to know the State of Child and Adult Literacy in your county? Then follow this link: https://t.co/HSpFCBQhIZ

An example for Lycoming County can be found below.

The time to act is NOW!

[Gregg Behr @greggbehr]

🆕 Got 6 minutes? Listen to this special episode of @remakelearning's #podcast, featuring 6 fabulous leaders speak to parents' essential roles in realizing a future of #education and #learning that young people everywhere want, need, and deserve.

⭐ @michaelbhorn
⭐ @KiraOrangeJones @teachplus
⭐ @BrizardJC @DigitalPromise
⭐ @KarenPittman @YouthToday
⭐ @MichelleNAEYC @NAEYC
⭐ @davidmiyashiro @CajonValleyUSD

🎧 S8, Ep8: https://t.co/jTGveE9Efl

#parents #parenting #families #kids #youth #schools #students #earlylearning #teachers #superintendents #afterschool #communities #futureofeducation #futureoflearning

[Teach Plus @teachplus]

We’re grateful to all teacher leaders for inspiring their classrooms, innovating teaching and learning, and maximizing opportunities and outcomes for students.
#TeacherAppreciationWeek

[Melinda Martinez-Epperson M. Ed. @ChiECAdvocate]

@PEDALCam @EllenBSandseter I would totally pay to attend virtually as I live in Chicago. I do play advocacy and going to do my dissertation on play as well. Please let me know if this is possible.

[PEDAL Cam @PEDALCam]

Join us at the #PEDALConference2025 where @EllenBSandseter will present the 2025 David Whitebread Memorial Lecture: "Children’s risky play: Thrilling experiences and developmental benefits" 🛝

Learn more at: https://t.co/ZKEvb3xC2W
Book your tickets at: https://t.co/J8qqrcpXSR

[Eli Casaus @MrCoachEli]

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming soon! One of my favorite things when I was a principal was doing what I could to show my staff some love.

In my current role with @teachplus I work with educators all over the state of New Mexico.

In past years @TeachPlusNM was able to partner with a variety of local bussinesses that helped us celebrate our teachers by offering various discounts during the apreciation week. I am currently seeking out partners to offer discounts or make donations so we can help honor our teachers during the week of May 5-9. If you would like your business to particpate, please message me.

We will acknowledge your business on our Teach Plus social media and it will be placed on a flyer for teachers. Thank you in advance to anyone able to help!!

(Feel free to share and tag for reach)

[Illinois Action For Children @IAFC_Cares]

Applications are NOW OPEN! ⭐

Interested in applying? Sign up for our virtual information session to learn more about the program: https://t.co/TZVFzov4BB

Ready to take the next step? Apply today: https://t.co/3yA1TpZeZC

[Illinois Action For Children @IAFC_Cares]

Applications are NOW OPEN for the Early Childhood Emerging Leaders Fellowship ⭐

Sign up for our virtual information session on April 1 and April 3 to learn more about the program: https://t.co/ue4Zt5AzZb

Start your application today: https://t.co/3yA1TpZeZC 📝

[We, the Village @wethevillageil]

Today, five regional Office of Head Start offices (Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle) were abruptly closed, and staff were terminated without access to files or offices.

We urge immediate action. Please share widely.
https://t.co/hTijMKy9jm

[Illinois Action For Children @IAFC_Cares]

From dismantling the Department of Education to harmful funding cuts and deportations, recent federal actions are creating fear, instability, and long-term harm to the systems meant to support us.

Read our full statement on recent federal actions: https://t.co/0sAHoEiuck

[Illinois Action For Children @IAFC_Cares]

🌱 Sustainable systems change starts with you!

Join us for the Partner Plan Act Conference as we explore how self and community care fuel long-term equity in early childhood systems.

🔗 Register now and learn more: https://t.co/ZBkvrcryeW