Last week, nearly 1,000 early childcare educators across South Carolina laced up their boots and set out on an adventure for the annual First Steps 4K Academy, a multi-day professional development conference hosted by South Carolina First Steps. Designed specifically for teachers, providers, and program leaders in the First Steps 4K network, 4K Academy offers targeted training and collaboration to strengthen classroom instruction and program quality state-wide. 

This year’s theme “Adventures in 4K” marked the 12th anniversary of supporting teachers and providers. Throughout the week, participants attended sessions led by First Step staff members and national experts on topics ranging from the science of reading, family engagement, creating joyful classrooms, supporting diverse leaners, and leadership in early childhood education. 

Educators received key tool and resources designed to strengthen classroom instruction, such as mindfulness practices like Conscious Discipline and CLASS for classroom assessments. For many educators, 4K Academy represents a vital opportunity to continue learning and refine their practice.

“It’s given us more information to better ourselves and be better for the kids,” said Maria Spradlin a 4K teaching assistant at Cadence Academy in Surfside Beach, Horry County. “We have to know the latest and greatest information—new research, new strategies—so we can put that into action in the classroom.” 

“And the professional opinions and educated advice is unmatched,” Michelle Perkinson, a 4K teacher at Cadence Academy, agreed, noting that even experienced teachers benefit from refreshers and new perspectives. “You can be in the field for 20 years and get so used to something. It’s nice to be reminded or to reframe how you thought about something. It puts things in a better perspective so that you better know how to implement them in your classroom.” 

Beyond the learning itself, teachers emphasized the sense of connection and encouragement that comes from being part of a statewide community of early childhood educators. More than building an educational toolbox, Academy helps foster community, collaboration, and place for networking and reigniting passion for what they do. 

“And you learn so much from other teachers in the field,” said Elizabeth Hogg, a 4K teacher at Saint Joseph’s Catholic School in Anderson County. “It’s important to step away from the classroom for a small, short amount of time to learn new things and take away something that you never would have thought of before. You meet new friends, share ideas, and realize someone else may be going through the same challenges.” 

For April Hayes, a 4K teacher at Rehoboth Baptist Child Development Center in Richland County, attending both the Leadership Academy and the Teacher Academy offered insight into the network’s strong culture of support. “It’s just such a beautiful thing because you always have someone to refer to,” she said. “Having all the coaches here, whether it’s moral support or giving advice and tips, it’s wonderful. You leave flooded with all this goodness to take back with you.” 

Collaboration is at the heart of First Steps 4K Academy: connecting educators from across South Carolina who share the same mission—to ensure every four-year-old is ready to succeed in school.  

Educators also described leaving the conference feeling reenergized and inspired, ready to take on the school year with optimism. “It’s really a morale boost,” said Allan Hartmann, a 4K teacher at The Children’s Center on Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County. “Whenever I come back from these, I’m firing on all cylinders. I know I have a list of things I’m going to implement when I return to my classroom.” 

Dionne Makie, a 4K teacher at the Sunshine House Early Learning Academy in Richland County, shared that the lessons learned continue to resonate long after the conference ends. “You’re pouring into us by getting awesome presenters,” she said. “When we go back to our classrooms and something happens, it triggers what we learned at Academy—we stop, readjust, and keep improving.” 

As the week concluded, teachers left Columbia with notebooks full of ideas, contact lists of new colleagues and newfound friendships, and renewed energy for the school year ahead. Each conversation, training, and keynote offered a reminder of the collective effort it takes to nurture South Carolina’s youngest learners. 

“Ultimately, everything we learn here is for them,” Elizabeth reflected—meaning the children who benefit when teachers are supported, connected, and inspired. “It's incredible the amount of work and effort that SC First Steps has put into this conference every single year, for our benefit on so many levels, and for that, we are incredibly thankful.” 

Many thanks to the teachers, program directors, school leaders, speakers, vendors, and the SC First Steps staff whose dedication and collaboration made this year’s Academy a success. Together, they continue to build a stronger foundation for every child in South Carolina. 

Topics: First Steps 4K