WHO WE ARE

Mission

Partnering with the community to give all of our youngest learners access to high quality early education opportunities.

Vision

Together, we strive to create a future in which:

Early education experiences are individualized and developmentally appropriate, so that every child is socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually prepared to succeed as a lifelong learner.

Families understand what it means to be their child's primary teachers. They understand the crucial importance of early learning in the child's growth and development of self-esteem and long-range educational goals.

Community members and business leaders recognize the specific and unique ways that their time, talents and resources can be invested in support of our community's youngest learners, and are motivated to do so.

Educational policy, practice, and curriculum are supported by current and specific research. Policy and practice work together to best serve the interests of children.

Values

Nurturance
Compassion
Commitment
Wonderment
Interdependence
Advocacy

EPEE was awarded the 2008 Community Education Association Outstanding Project of the Year award.

 

Edina Partners for Early Education Steering Committee

Cheryl Gunness   |   Co-Chair, Edina Parent  |   cherylgunness@comcast.net
 Stephanie Zahrbock   |  Co-Chair, Edina Parent   |  sazahrbock@yahoo.com
 Sara Aldrich   |   Edina Early Childhood Special Education   |  saraldrich@edina.k12.mn.us
 Sandy Bainbridge   |   Edina Realty   |  sandybainbridge@edinarealty.com
 Julie Baker   |   Edina Parent   |  DJBaker2@aol.com
 Laurie Denn Director   |   Edina Family Center  |   laudenn@edina.k12.mn.us
 Sue Dinapoli   |   Edina Parent   |  sldinapoli@hotmail.com
 Carrie Ellis   |   Edina Realty   |  carrie.ellis@gmail.com
 Kandace Ellis   |   Edina Public Schools   |  kanellis@edina.k12.mn.us
 JoAnn Gustafson   |   Director, Normandale Church Pre-School   |  Joanne@normluth.org
 Kathryn Hagen   |   Edina Early Childhood Special Education   |  Kathagen@edina.k12.mn.us
Rachel Hagenson  |   Step-by-Step Preschool   |  rachelhagenson@gmail.com
 Jennifer Hovelsrud   |   Edina Parent   |  hovelsrud5@comcast.net
 Doug Johnson   |   Community Ed Director, Edina Schools   |  doujohnson@edina.k12.mn.us
 Arrie Larsen-Manti   |   President, Edina Chamber of Commerce   |  arrie@edina.org
 Bert Ledder   |   Edina School Board   |  lsledder@aol.com
 Shannon Matson  |   Berry Patch Preschool   |  slmatson@gmail.com
 Danielle Mathews   |   Creekside Children’s Place   |  dd.mathews@yahoo.com
 Sara Pearce   |   Amma Maternity   |  sara@ammamaternity.com
 Terry Ruane   |   Park Nicollet Medical Clinic   |  ruanet@parknicollet.com
 Kathy Shideman   |   Creekside Children’s Place   |  teacherkathy@creeksidechidrensplace.com
 Mary Streier   |   Coordinator, Edina School Readiness   |  vmarystreier@edina.k12.mn.us
 Priscilla Weigel   |   Fraser   |  clweigel@msn.com
 Carol Wolfe   |   Edina Parent   |  carolfwolfe@yahoo.com.

Skill sets that we are looking for to assist on the EPEE Steering Committee include:

  • communications, especially website message updating
  • networking with grant-making institutions
  • grant writing

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Brief Timeline of EPEE

April 2010 Participated at Hands On Learning Fair  

Nov. 2009  Testified at Legislative Early Education Public Hearing

Nov. 2009 Noodles Fundraiser  

Nov. 2009 3rd Practitioners Symposium:  Early Childhood Screening  

Oct. 2009 Launched this website  

April 2009 2nd Practitioners Symposium:  Social & Emotional Development in the Preschool Aged Child led by Priscilla Weigel  

Feb. 2009  Visioning Breakfast held with 85 people in attendance

Dec. 2008 - 3rd Annual Salut Bar Americain Silent Auction to support EPEE

Nov. 2008 - 1st Practitioners’ Symposium aligning pre-K and K in the Edina Community

Nov. 2008 - EPEE is awarded Minnesota Community Education Association (MCEA) Outstanding Project Award

Oct. 2008 - Preschooler Book-Making Event co-sponsored by EPEE, the Pearson Foundation & The Edina
Chamber

Feb. 2008 - 2nd Community Breakfast with 180 attendees. Peter Brosius, artistic director of the Children's
Theatre, and Rob Grunewald were the key speakers.
 
Oct. 2006 - 1st Community Breakfast to raise awareness about the importance of Early Education. Rob Grunewald, economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, was featured speaker.