Symposium will help educators integrate Fred Rogers' teachings into the classroom

Fred Rogers is renowned for the ways he taught and interacted with children — and this July, educators will have the opportunity to glean some of his wisdom during a virtual symposium.

Saint Vincent College’s Fred Rogers Institute in Unity will host the two-day symposium on July 19 and 20. It will feature speakers, breakout sessions, and opportunities to interact with other educators.

Cost of admission is $143 to attend both days or $75 to attend one day. Educators and care providers who are interested in attending should register here before the symposium’s first session at 10 a.m. on July 19.

Dana Winters, Fred Rogers Institute executive director, hopes the symposium provides ideas and support for attendees.

“I think there’s a lot we can continue to learn from Fred Rogers,” Winters said. “The hope is that this (symposium) provides some information on how there are educators in the world who are doing that actively.”

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The first day of the symposium will feature the following events:

• Aisha White, program director of PRIDE at the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development, will talk about helping children understand race and equity

• Dana Winters, Fred Rogers Institute executive director, will discuss child development through play

• Kristin DiQuollo, supervising producer of Donkey Hodie for Fred Rogers Productions, will talk about helping children solve problems, persevere and laugh

• Cory Hills, percussionist and Gretsch Fellow in Children’s Music, will present part of his Percussive Storytelling program, which combines storytelling and classical music

The second day’s agenda will include:

• A panel discussion on using the Fred Rogers Institute Archive for research

• Five breakout sessions led by local teachers

• Becky Zill, clinical neuropsychologist and Fred Rogers Institute fellow, will talk about the recent increase in children’s mental health concerns

• Brad Montague, author and creator of the “Kid President” web series, will speak

Both days also allot time for participants to mingle with each other or watch an episode of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”

The institute first introduced this symposium in 2021.

“The goal (of the symposium) is always to be able to bring awareness on how people integrate the life of Fred Rogers into education,” Winters said.