What would it take to make every day better with your school age children? Smiles, positive interactions, a culture of kindness and strong relationships? Those would be a great start. In this learning event, we will work together to build knowledge and skills, through fun and interactive activities, to improve your day-to-day life with school-age children, through building incredible relationships. Participants will strengthen knowledge and skills, create a plan and prepare to move from surviving to thriving.

Colin was born and raised in Virginia. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations from Radford University and is currently working towards his Master's degree in Education Leadership, Policy, & Advocacy from UNC Wilmington. Colin has worked in the North Carolina public school system since he settled in the state in 2015 and has supervised the largest after school program in his school district for the past few years. An advocate for embracing the community,he is constantly looking for different festivals, community service events, and local businesses.

In his spare time he enjoys spending time with family, watching sports, and doing voice overs for businesses and commercials. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree from Clemson University. Colin’s passions include motivating others, listening to or creating music, and protecting the environment. He looks forward to continuing to serve our state!

Jonathan Williams is the Statewide School Age Project Manager for the North Carolina CCR&R School Age Initiative (managed by Southwestern Child Development Commission). He works in collaboration with statewide partners on the delivery of quality school age care in the state along with creating and delivering professional development for school-age facilities and technical assistance providers. Jonathan received his undergraduate degree from Montreat College in Asheville, NC. He received his Master’s in Arts Degree from Western Carolina University in 2013. He holds his Professional Development, School Age, and Technical Assistance Endorsement, and has a Level 12 ECEE Endorsement with the NCICDP.

Jonathan has worked in early education for almost two decades in a variety of roles. Prior to the NC CCR&R School Age Initiative, he was a lead teacher for 10 years and a center director for over two years. He has extensive Resource and Referral knowledge and has worked as a local partnership CCR&R Director. He has created and led training courses for several education organizations including the Association for Constructive Teachers, the North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the National Summer Learning Association, and the National Center for Afterschool and Summer Enrichment.