Michelle Spence

Administrator. Early Childhood. Special Educator. Passionate about #SEL, #Play and #inclusion, Wife & Mama. I love to read, learn, travel, imagine and create.

[Mario, PT @Mario_Sneh]

When I married my wife, her son was seven years old. From day one, I told him he never had to call me Dad if he didn’t want to. I wasn’t interested in forcing a title that had to come naturally.

For years, he just called me by my first name. Honestly, I never minded. I figured trust mattered more than whatever name he used.

I still showed up for everything. School events, soccer games, parent meetings, broken bicycles, and late-night homework emergencies. I treated him like my own because that’s what felt right.

One winter, he got really sick. Nothing life-threatening, but bad enough that he had to spend several days in the hospital. My wife barely left his side, and neither did I.

1/

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

We had a beautiful visit to Alcott’s infant program on Thursday. SDUSD serves about 270 infants through classroom and home visiting services. We were also served fresh picked tomatoes by the cutest little gardener. @sdschools

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

This should be a PSA shared widely and often across every platform we can think of. The advent of cell phones has changed the opportunities for connection, communication, and play. Together, we can change the world. Our children need us to. Watch. Share. https://t.co/nUfKfSCnfk

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

I can’t wait to dig into this. Thank you @DanWuori for sharing. Reimagining early learning requires rethinking our strategies and looking at and rethinking our fiscal policies and practices is a huge part of the puzzle.

[Dan Wuori @DanWuori]

My early childhood colleagues at @ZaentzHarvardEd launched a cool interactive policy resource today. The Zaentz Navigator lets you explore innovative state & city policy approaches by topic. Want to see how others are approaching & funding programs for young kids? Check it out 🧵

[Dan Wuori @DanWuori]

When you’ve done such a good job at teaching self regulation that your preschooler turns it back on you. 🤣

Loving this emotionally intelligent little one (and predicting she managed to keep her markers out of the trash).

(This amazing 🎥 - and parenting - via better.with.christie IG)

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

Beautiful joint attention as well. ❤️

[Dan Wuori @DanWuori]

Genius at work. 🧠

There are a host of early literacy skills on display in this video (vocabulary, book handling, concepts of print), but my very favorite part is watching our hero problem solve to expose the hidden mirror.

Watch this part carefully.

In order to bring the book to his face successfully and look into the mirror, he has to pull down a flap and (after two unsuccessful attempts) figure out how to keep it lowered as he raises the book. There are multiple steps involved here and, after a little trial and error, he handles them like a champ.

Watch how he pulls down the flap and then pats it down along the seam to ensure his eventual success - then later return to the same strategy to do it again.

What a clever and persistent little guy.

🎥 theoriginal_captain

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

@FabiBagulaPhD Love this - access for all!

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

@Bonesteelvt Is there such a thing as too chocolatey? Enjoy!

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

4 of 5 stars to Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton https://t.co/zyajlbNPCF

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

It is the Week of the Young Child and today is Music Monday!
Click on the link below to see the week of events and click on each day for suggested activities. https://t.co/qbAIr6p7ke
Please share your fun by using the following hashtags:
#SandiMOYC2023 #BetterSD @sdschools

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

Very fitting coffee cup today! #GoAztecs

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

April is the Month of the Young Child and San Diego Unified will be celebrating together. Click on the link to see the week of events https://t.co/qbAIr6p7ke
Please join us in the fun and share your fun by using the following hashtags:

#SandiMOYC2023 #BetterSD @sdschools

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

@realdylanwince Join your neighborhood Buy/Sell/Trade group and ask. People are always giving away cuttings, plants they don't want any more, etc.

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

“Now I see the secret of making the best person: it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.” ~Walt Whitman

[Dan Wuori @DanWuori]

Young children need fewer screens and more outdoor learning and play, which is one reason why nature-based preschools are beginning to boom in popularity. On Tuesday, April 4th, @Hunt_Institute and @trustfrlearning are joining forces for a special online event… 🧵

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

@NISLorg @PreschoolToday @ColoradoEd @flpbis @VTPBIS @pbisMN @PBISApps @PBISRewards @pbischat @PBISCalTAC

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

I am a doctoral student at San Diego State. If you are an administrator at an early education site or elementary school using a Pyramid Model Consortium, SWIFT Schools, or state MTSS implementation framework, please contribute to my study: https://t.co/W5ekQXcg9m

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

I am a doctoral student at San Diego State. If you are an administrator at an early education site or elementary school using a Pyramid Model Consortium, SWIFT Schools, or state MTSS implementation framework, please contribute to my study: https://t.co/W5ekQXcg9m

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

@DrMeghanGreen Here's a resource curated by Camille Catlett for Vermont a few years back: https://t.co/0b91INGf57

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

@vtprincipals

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

I am a doctoral student at San Diego State. If you are an administrator at an early education site or elementary school using a Pyramid Model Consortium, SWIFT Schools, or state MTSS implementation framework, please contribute to my study: https://t.co/W5ekQXcg9m

[NIEER @PreschoolToday]

Most state pre-k programs use a mixed delivery system that operates in public schools, Head Start agencies, childcare centers, & other settings. On Apr 19, join @LPI_Learning & @PreschoolToday for a webinar to explore #ECEMixedDelivery lessons. https://t.co/kYZivYgIPM

[Michelle Spence @michellespence]

I am a doctoral student at San Diego State. If you are an administrator at an early education site or elementary school using a Pyramid Model Consortium, SWIFT Schools, or state MTSS implementation framework, please contribute to my study: https://t.co/W5ekQXcg9m