Approximately eighty Head Start and public school educators gathered in Hugo, Oklahoma, on November 17, 2008, to learn more about the TeachSmart Learning System (TSLS), exclusively from Hatch. The attendees came from a wide variety of Early Childhood agencies such as Early Reading First (ERF), Oklahoma Smart Start, Head Start and public school districts. We were honored to have Dr. Ruth Ball, retired EC professor from Oklahoma University attend as well. Ruthie Tate, of  Little Dixie Head Start in Hugo, has purchased the complete systems for some of the classrooms and the TSLS activity bundle for teachers with existing whiteboards.  The three hour presentation provided a hands-on opportunity to learn about the board, the activity bundle and the research driving the development.   Participants’ evaluations demonstrated that the presentation was worth their time.  Some of the comments were:  

• “I like the portfolio piece of the program.”
• “What I like best was the interactive possibilities, the realistic pictures and illustrations.”
• “I have a can do feeling.”
• “I think it is a very great system and I feel comfortable.”

Later this week I will be in Kansas City, Kansas, sharing the system with early childhood educators in the heart of our country. Will be in touch.

Susan