Hatch^®, a leader in innovative solutions for early learning, is a Platinum Sponsor of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Annual Conference & Expo in Orlando, Fl., November 2 – 5, 2011, and will participate in leading education sessions during the conference, demonstrations of technology tools for achieving better outcomes for early learners in Hatch's Booth #816, as well as unveiling its third product rollout this year.

"Our theme for this year's NAEYC Conference of 'Your Passport to Better Outcomes' spotlights specific Hatch destinations along the NAEYC journey where Hatch can provide attendees with tools and education on evaluating and effectively using technology solutions to improve outcomes for early learners," said Ginny Norton, president of Hatch. "We also are excited to announce that Hatch is taking this journey 'mobile' as we introduce our latest innovation at NAEYC: our new mobile technology solution."

Hatch will exhibit its technology tools for achieving better outcomes for early learners in Hatch's Booth #816. Hatch also is sponsoring the NAEYC Internet Lounge, "Hatch Frequent Wi-Fiers Club", in Booth #1534. Here, attendees will be able to access email and the internet using Hatch's iStartSmart computer system.

Hatch Technology Solutions Showcased in Hatch Booth #816
Hatch will unveil its latest product innovation, a mobile technology solution, at Hatch Booth #816 on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. Hatch's new mobile product is the company's third product launch out of four planned product rollouts for 2011. In honor of this latest innovation, Hatch will award the 'Education Innovator' award to a Florida school system demonstrating innovative solutions to early learning classrooms and curriculum.

Earlier this year, Hatch introduced CoreFocus™, a content solution for building critical skills for students, cognitive ages 4-8. Co-created by Hatch and SMART™, CoreFocus includes more than 2,500 math and literacy activities aligned to Common Core State Standards, scaffolded for skill levels, and built-in individualized digital portfolios to support assessments.

Additionally, Hatch will showcase its key products: TeachSmart 2.0^® and iStartSmart^®.

• TeachSmart 2.0 pairs interactive whiteboard technology with research-based content for pre-k, including thousands of scaffolded math and literacy activities tied to standards, and also offers teachers lesson planning, digital portfolios, and the ability to create and organize custom content.
• iStartSmart is a tabletop, touchscreen computer system that simplifies student access to research-based, scaffolded activities through a patented picture login. With iStartSmart, teachers can view progress reports in five essential areas to inform their daily instruction.

Hatch will roll out its fourth new product later this year, designed for social and emotional development, which when combined with Hatch's math and literacy-focused products, will provide a full spectrum of tools for early learning.

Hatch Participation in NAEYC Conference Sessions
Hatch experts including Ginny Norton, president; Susan Gunnewig, product development director; Dr. Dale McManis, early childhood research director; and Jenne Parks, early childhood content specialist; will lead NAEYC conference sessions on the effective incorporation of technology into curriculum and using research-based content for technology to make learning engaging and exciting for young students.

Additionally Hatch will conduct a special presentation on evaluating mobile technology for early learners at the NAEYC Exhibitors' Showcase.

About Hatch^®, The Early Learning Experts:
Since 1984, Hatch has been committed to supporting the needs of students and enriching early education. From classroom supplies and education materials, to interactive whiteboard content, to adaptive learning and mobile technology, Hatch is the innovative solutions leader and most widely-used early learning technology provider nationwide. Hatch technologies combine child-appropriate hardware, research-based content tied to standards, and individualized progress monitoring tools, to create complete classroom solutions proven to increase math, literacy and social/emotional development. For more information, please visit http://www.hatchearlylearning.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Marcy Daniel, Hatch
Phone: 800.624.7968
E-mail: MDaniel@HatchEarlyChildhood.com
During NAEYC: 336.408.5773

Susan Gunnewig
Product Development Director, Hatch

Susan Gunnewig’s career began as a Head Start teacher in 1965 in Houston, Texas. In 1968 she began her 28-year career as a classroom teacher primarily in elementary grades in the inner city. During Susan’s teaching years she developed an interest in teaching ELL children and struggling readers. She was the Asst. Reading Manager for Houston Independent School District and oversaw the development of the reading program which became the framework for Reading First under No Child Left Behind. In 2001, Susan was honored to join the faculty of the University of Texas Medical School in Development Pediatrics under the direction of Dr. Susan Landry. During her tenure, Susan co-created an early childhood integrated service model for the State of Texas. This School Readiness Model is now state law due to its effectiveness. In addition, she was Co-PI for a number of federally funded NIH, NSF, NCHID, USDOE IES among others. The states of Texas, Florida and California included her as a developer of their states’ early childhood standards. Susan retired from the University to establish a Product Development Department for Hatch Early Childhood in 2007. She is the director and oversees content development for all technological hardware.

Dr. Dale McManis
Early Childhood Research Director, Hatch

Lilla Dale McManis is the Research Director for Hatch, where she works to both inform and carry out research on technology products for early childhood. Dale holds a B.S. in Child Development and earned a M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of Georgia, after which she spent several years teaching. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Florida focusing on learning and cognition in poverty children, while instructing prospective teachers and serving as Lead Evaluator for a large Head Start Grant. She then took consecutive positions at the Massachusetts Departments of Education and Public Health where she served as Evaluator and then Co-Director of the Office of Statistics and Evaluation. She joined the University of Texas faculty in 2001 and for several years worked on research projects in the State Center for Early Childhood Development within the Children’s Learning Institute. In this capacity she oversaw several large projects related to school readiness, most notably the state School Readiness Certification System. Joining Hatch in 2008, Dr. McManis now works in tandem with Hatch Product Development in the design and evaluation of educational technology for early learners.

Jenne Parks
Early Childhood Content Specialist, Hatch

Jenne Parks started her career as a kindergarten teacher in a federally funded full-day Title-1 class and continued her career with at-risk pre-kindergarten students. In 2000, Jenne accepted a position as a Curriculum Specialist with La Petite Academy managing the Education Department that served over 600 schools and 13,000 teachers. She determined which training tools would be the most effective and relevant for teachers; and also created and launched the training tools. In 2010, Jenne began her work with Hatch and she now assists in the creation of content for existing and new products based on the latest valid research and scientific findings. She is an accomplished national presenter and author on early childhood teaching and training.

Ginny Norton
President, Hatch

Ginny Norton took the helm as President of Hatch in January 2007. She began her career 19 years ago as a sales representative with Hatch just after graduating from the University of Richmond, where she was a four-year scholarship basketball player. Throughout her time at Hatch, she has been instrumental in driving and supporting the innovative and dynamic mission and culture the company has become known for. Specifically, she led the initiative to position Hatch as the first early education supplier to employ the latest scientific research on the cognitive development of young children as a guiding principle in developing technology content; thus setting the bar for providers of early learning solutions. Under her leadership, she has launched ground-breaking, research-based technology solution products for early learners. She has carried these forward-thinking ideas into the company culture, supporting Hatch parents by partnering with a local childcare organization to provide low-cost, high quality childcare; establishing an employee wellness program; and welcoming dogs into the workplace. She is an active volunteer in the local community and has served on community boards including the Winston Salem Arts Council and the YWCA.