The Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities developed and implemented programs and projects from 2017 to 2024.
The Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities began working with early childhood educators at two partner schools in the 2017-18 school year. These schools, Lakeland and Maree G. Farring, serve students in grades preK-8. In the 2018-19 school year, we expanded our work to two additional partner schools: Curtis Bay and Bay Brook. Arundel (beginning with its kindergarten team) was welcomed as an additional partner school in the 2020-2021 school year.
We collaborated with its partner schools to implement site-specific and cross-site projects to improve early literacy instruction, resources, supports, and outcomes. Its focus on early literacy reflects the school’s goals and a growing recognition of the importance of early literacy for young children’s lifelong success.
We developed and implemented four cross-site literacy projects: 1) Sherman Center/Shriver Center Literacy Fellows Program, 2) Diverse Books Project, 3) Teacher Summer Institute, and 4) Families, Libraries, and Early Literacy Project. We also promoted research in the field of early learning through our Faculty Research Award and leadership through the Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program.