News Archives: Ooey Gooey Lady at GPRC: "A Silly Name - A Serious Message"
Friday, May 16th, 2014
The Children’s Centre demonstration preschool at Grande Prairie Regional College is proud to host early childhood specialist Lisa Murphy this weekend. Known widely as the "Ooey-Gooey Lady", the internationally-acclaimed Murphy will be at GPRC on May 17 to present a day-long workshop for early childhood professionals in our region. The 90 available seats for the sessions were quickly sold out, and participants are eager to be inspired, informed, and invigorated by the presentations.
The Children’s Centre is part of the Early Learning and Child Care program at GPRC. The certificate and diploma programmes in Early Learning and Child Care are available on campus during the day and evening as well as through distance delivery. Our graduates are employed in play based child care settings throughout the region.
The department is known for its leadership in the field for our region, and providing the opportunity for this workshop with Lisa Murphy is an example of that role. Early Learning and Childcare chairperson Pat Caulfield Fontaine and her faculty members discovered the Ooey Gooey Lady through her website, and became determined to add Grande Prairie to her busy annual schedule of workshops in over 300 communities across North America and beyond.
“Lisa Murphy was appealing to our department because of her child centered approach and comprehensive understanding of learning through play,” says Pat Caulfield Fontaine. “Our department used one of her books and as well as several dvds in our classes this year. We thought it would be most advantageous to bring her in to speak with the students, community and ELCC professionals in the region.”
A motivating speaker and engaging storyteller, Murphy promises an unforgettable experience for workshop attendees. Participants will enjoy sessions including a keynote address which promises to get them “back in touch with their personal how and why” they became educators. They will participate in a signature “Ooey-Gooey” workshop providing a hands-on training about sensory play. They will go home with tried and tested finger plays, rhymes and chants, lists of books to read aloud, songs to sing with children, and much, much more.
“We are delighted with the positive response for this workshop, and very proud that our Human Services department is able to host this for other professionals in their field,” says Susan Bansgrove, Vice President Academics and Research at GPRC. “This workshop provides a wonderful professional development opportunity for our current students, alumni, and our community partners. I commend our faculty for their commitment to excellence in early childhood education!”
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