CORE Network Quarterly Networking Lunch and Training - 2026, Quarter 1

Welcome to the CORE Network Nashville Quarterly Networking Lunch and Training event! Join us for an exciting opportunity to connect with fellow professionals in a casual setting. This in-person event is being hosted by the Vanderbilt Child and Family Center at the Baker Building, located at 110 21st Avenue South, room 1000. Come prepared to network, learn, and grow your skills.

Our speakers this month are Cierra Price and Susan Birch of the Vanderbilt Child and Family Center. Join us as they present: Planting Seeds of Empathy: Introducing Potted Palms as a Caring Activity, an Emergent Research Project. This session explores how children’s engagement with potted palms centers caring and connection in a community of practice. This research was first presented at the 2025 national Zero to Three Conference in Baltimore. Participants will gain insight into how small, intentional provocations can grow into meaningful classroom investigations that honor children as capable, compassionate thinkers.

Don't miss out on this chance to expand your professional circle and knowledge. We look forward to seeing you there!

About the Presenters

Cierra Price, MS, serves as Education Director at the Vanderbilt Child and Family Center and brings over 20 years of experience in early childhood education grounded in emergent curriculum and whole-child pedagogy.

Susan Birch, BS, is assistant site director at The Acorn School at 18th Avenue.

Thank you to our lunch sponsor, Vanderbilt Child and Family Center!

Vanderbilt Child & Family Center (VCFC) provides support and resources to the community of Vanderbilt families across the spectrum of life from new parent support to early childhood education, family life resources, and elder care. VCFC values and upholds the university’s commitment to the education of the whole person and the cultivation of lifelong learning. Find out more at https://www.vanderbilt.edu/child-family-center/

Are you interested in sponsoring a future CORE Network Nashville event? Contact Elandriel Lewis at .

About CORE Network

CORE Network, an initiative of United Way of Greater Nashville, brings together local and statewide partners to strengthen, support, and champion early childhood educators and schools. CORE Network provides year-round, high-quality professional development through both virtual and in-person trainings, along with a comprehensive training archive that ensures educators can learn, grow, and lead from anywhere, on any schedule.  CORE also hosts the free annual Ignite! Early Childhood Conference and Awards. Ignite! delivers transformative professional development for educators and highlights the essential work taking place in early childhood classrooms to support children, families, and our communities.

If you would like more information about CORE Network and/or would like to support the work, please email [email protected].

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Host or Publisher United Way of Greater Nashville