Thursday, March 12, 2026

NOTE THAT THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS AND MAY SESSIONS MAY CHANGE DATE AND TIME

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Opening and General Session
Conference Welcome, Announcements and Wolf Trap Warm Up

Arts Integrated Strategies for Early Learners (Music)
Presenter: Sue Trainor, Master Teaching Artist, Wolf Trap

Start your day by exploring the fundamental elements of music with Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist, Sue Trainor. Discover how these elements connect to a variety of curricular and developmental goals. Engage in interactive, hands-on experiences in arts integration that support early learners.

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Open
Concessions available 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

9:45 – 10:45 a.m. – Concurrent Workshops

From Vision to Practice: Putting VQB5 Quality Goals into Action
Presenter: Lucy Mitzner

This interactive session will guide educators, leaders, and improvement partners through the process of translating VQB5 quality improvement goals into meaningful, sustainable classroom and program practices. Participants will explore how to use CLASS® data, curriculum implementation insights, and continuous improvement strategies to set actionable goals that drive instructional quality. Through real-world examples, collaborative planning, and reflective discussion, attendees will leave with practical tools and strategies to align their daily work with Virginia's vision for high-quality early learning environments.

Understand the core components of VQB5 and how they support continuous quality improvement in early childhood care and education settings.
Analyze CLASS and curriculum implementation data to identify strengths and areas for growth to develop quality improvement goals that are aligned with VQB5 expectations.
Apply strategies for embedding quality goals into daily routines, instructional planning, and professional learning opportunities.
Reflect on current practices and identify next steps for sustaining improvement efforts throughout the year.

When Data Speaks, We NEED to Listen: Responding to Pre-K Needs
Presenter: Becca Carter

Every number tells a story—and in Pre-K, those stories matter. This session will explore how to make sense of Pre-K data and respond in ways that truly meet the needs of young learners. Participants will learn strategies for identifying trends, connecting data to classroom practices, and making informed decisions about resources and funding. Together, we’ll look at how listening to what the data tells us can help ensure every dollar and every effort has the greatest impact for our students.

When Data Speaks, We MUST Listen: Responding to Pre-K Needs
Listening to Data, Leading with Purpose: Meeting Pre-K Needs Through Action
When Data Speaks, We NEED to Listen: Turning Insights into Action for Pre-K Success

9:45 – 11:15 a.m. – Concurrent Workshops

Building a Culture of Nature Play in Your School Community
Presenter: Carolyn Schuyler

Schools offering outdoor nature play as part of daily routines see gains in academic performance, social and emotional learning, and nature connectedness. To integrate nature play into the school culture requires engaging multiple stakeholders in developing a plan for spaces and programs. By exploring case studies, this session prepares teachers and administrators to lead initiatives at their school that will make the science-backed benefits of nature play more available to students.

Participants will learn the science behind nature play for healthy child development and strong connected school communities.
Strategies for advocating for nature play and building buy in will be discussed.
A model for co-creating nature play spaces and curricular tie-ins on school grounds will be explored through case study and experiential exercises.
Strategies for involving stakeholders for long term success will be explored.

Creating Relationships in Early Childhood Classrooms
Presenter: Rachel Levering

Early childhood educators shape the foundation of children’s social and emotional growth. In this interactive session, participants will explore stages of emotional development, the role of observation, and practical strategies to support both typical and challenging behaviors. Through reflection, discussion, and real-world scenarios, educators will learn how warm, responsive relationships and intentional observation can guide effective teaching, strengthen self-regulation, and foster essential life skills such as impulse control, problem-solving, and empathy.

Identify key milestones in social-emotional development.
Use observation techniques to interpret and respond to children’s behaviors.
Apply strategies that build self-regulation, impulse control, and frustration tolerance.
Design proactive approaches to support both typical and challenging behaviors.

Curious Minds, Caring Hearts: Exploring How STEM Supports SEL (Social Emotional Learning)
Presenter: Autumn Shaffer

Explore the joy, wonder, and potential of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) experiences with 3- to 5-year-olds, and how it can seamlessly support social emotional learning (SEL). Join this interactive session to explore the basics of what STEM learning encompasses, how it can be integrated into practice and support SEL at the same time, and ways to align with the Virginia Early Learning Standards. This session will allow educators to discover the ways STEM and SEL are intertwined as they explore practical activities, materials, and strategies through hands-on, minds-on stations that they can use right away to implement STEM learning and SEL in the classroom. It will build on what educators are already doing, integrate meaningfully with other content areas, and encourage educators to have fun along the way!

Define STEM teaching and learning with children ages 3- to 5-years old Identify practical strategies, inexpensive materials, and engaging activities that support both STEM skills and social emotional learning.
Describe at least one way to meaningfully use STEM learning to support children’s social emotional skills in their own classroom

Empowering Your Team – Building a Leadership Pipeline in Early Childhood Education
Presenter: Tirusha Dave

This session will explore strategies for identifying and developing leadership potential within early childhood teams. Participants will learn how to mentor and coach staff, build a culture of professional growth, and create pathways for career advancement. Key topics include leadership identification, staff development planning, fostering a growth mindset, and overcoming common challenges in leadership pipelines.

Identify leadership qualities and potential in early childhood staff at varying professional levels.
Develop strategies for mentoring, coaching, and supporting staff growth within their centers.
Create structured leadership development plans that align with organizational goals.
Foster a workplace culture that encourages initiative, professional growth, and staff retention.

Hugs, High Fives & Healthy Brains
Presenter: Leslie Shumate

From the first snuggle to a simple smile or high five, every interaction matters in the early years. This engaging and reflective session will explore how consistent, nurturing, and responsive relationships with infants and toddlers lay the foundation for health brain development, emotional regulation, and lifelong learning. Connecting CLASS Dimensions and the Virginia Early Learning and Development Standards (VA ELDS), participants will learn how everyday moments - diaper changes, playtime, feeding, transitions - are powerful opportinuties to support secure attachment, social emotional growth, and cognitive development.

Explore how nurturing relationships shape brain development, emotional regulation, and lifelong learning.
Examine everyday interactions as opportunities for growth.
Connect CLASS Dimensioins and VA ELDS to daily routines.
Engage in reflection and group activities.

Living on Purpose: Values as our Guides
Presenter: Lisa Plotkin

What if we discussed our values more often? At work, at home, with friends, with colleagues, with parents in our classrooms? Whether we realize it or not, our values and our deepest principles show up throughout our lives, in all that we do, connecting us with other people and making meaning each day. For many of us, there is minimal dedicated space for exploring our own values as we learn to parent, teach, and work together. We will be more able to live on purpose through our values once we proudly articulate them. Embark with me on an exploration of universal values and meaningful dialogue to reflect on the values we hold most dear so we can be who we want to be with our highest potential. After all, we have the power to positively impact every single person we encounter, child or adult, especially when our values shine through.

Explore a wide array of universal values.
Determine what values they connect deeply with.
Think about how they show up in their lives, both personally in and the classroom/ECE program.

Talking to Parents: Effective Parent-Teacher Conferences
Presenter: Amy Clay

Several resources and ideas will be shared to help teachers prepare for and execute an effective parent-teacher conference. Teachers will understand the do’s and don’ts of a parent-teacher conference and the importance of having those interactions with parents. Teachers will receive conference forms and a list of do’s and don'ts for conferencing.

• Learn about conference preparation & discussion points• Review Scheduling
• Review documentation -do’s and don’ts
• Discuss hot topics

The Truth About Consequences
Presenter: Mandy Lloyd

Mistakes are an opportunity to learn! In this Conscious Discipline session, participants will learn the difference between punishment and consequences and how to effectively use consequences in the classroom.

Learn five principles of effective consequences.
Understand why connection is essential for consequences to be effective.
Practice delivering a consequence with assertive language and how to manage a child's emotions about the consequence.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Lunch and Learn General Session

Early Childhood Advocacy Lunch & Learn

Join your fellow educators, leaders, and advocates from across a spectrum of roles in
the profession as we discuss and address critical issues impacting early childhood education and early care. This important session will review policies that impact you, your programs, and children in Virginia.

1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. – Concurrent Workshops

Beyond Sight and Sound: Nurturing All Five Senses in Young Learners
Presenter: Dr. Michelle Spencer

Sensory experiences play a critical role in early childhood development, supporting cognitive, physical, and social-emotional growth. This workshop examines strategies for intentionally engaging all five senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell—in daily learning experiences. Emphasis will be placed on smell, taste, and hearing, which are often underrepresented in early education practice. Participants will gain evidence-based approaches to enhance sensory learning and promote holistic child development.

Identify at least 3 ways to incorporate smell, taste, and hearing into daily activities with children.
Create either a smell or a listening activity to take to their classroom.
Share ways that they incorporate the 5 senses in their daily work.

Building Your Leadership Team
Presenter: Ainsleigh Gaskins

Leadership can be lonely! Our jobs as leaders in early childhood education are complex, seemingly never ending, and can quickly lead to burnout. Participants will learn how to develop a leadership team, capitalizing on each person's strengths, abilities, and personality to positively impact your staff, families, and the children in your program.

Learn about different tools to recruit and develop leaders
Participants will discuss the benefits of having a leadership team, proportionate to the size of their program.
Participants will discuss ways to work with the different personalities and abilities of leadership team members to help your team succeed.

Creating a Yes Environment: Supporting Children’s Growth Through a Reggio-Inspired Lens
Presenter: Katherine Plumb

Tired of feeling like you’re always saying “No, don’t, stop”? Step into a Reggio-inspired approach where curiosity meets possibility. Learn how to build a “Yes Environment” that encourages exploration, confidence, and meaningful connections with children.

Define what a “Yes Environment” looks like in an early childhood classroom.
Explore how the Reggio Emilia philosophy supports child-led learning and autonomy.
Identify strategies to design physical and emotional spaces that invite exploration and minimize unnecessary barriers.
Learn approaches to re-frame teacher language and expectations to encourage independence and problem-solving.

Developing Culturally Supportive Visual Arts Experiences
Presenter: Angela Eckhoff

Meaningful visual arts experiences help children express themselves, collaborate, and think critically and creatively. This session examines how culturally supportive arts practices—those that value and integrate children’s diverse cultural backgrounds—promote inclusivity, respect, and a sense of belonging. Participants will analyze young children’s artworks to uncover messages of agency and identity, discuss pathways for connecting art to community, and gain strategies to advocate for expressive, relational visual arts experiences that empower all learners.

Empower educators to be knowledgeable about the importance of developing visual arts experiences that promote children’sagency, decision making, and expressive skills
Examine a range of children’s work in the arts to uncover those experiences that promote critical, creative, and cultural connections
Explore practical strategies for advocating for movement away from prescriptive craft experiences and towards visual art experiences that empower children to draw upon their understandings and agency.
Discuss and critique examples of children's work in order to identify the spaces where children are empowered to express themselves and explore their understandings.

Essential Skills For Life: Are We Teaching Them?
Presenter: Jessica Flowers

Harvard and Stanford report that 'soft skills, ' (essential skills) matter! 85% of job success comes from having well developed soft and people skills Conscious Discipline® is your answer. Come learn how to teach a child to: 1. Ask for a turn. 2. How to handle disappointment 3. How to say to a friend, 'that was mine, please give it back.'

The participant will learn how to coach a child to ask for a turn.
The participant will learn how to coach the child how to handle disappointment.
The participant will learn how to coach a child who has had a toy taken from them.

Listening with Heart: Nurturing Trust, Sensitivity, and Emotional Wellness in Early Learning Classrooms
Presenter: Tara Scott

This presentation, Listening with Heart: Building Trust and Sensitivity in Early Childhood Classrooms, is designed to help Virginia’s birth-to-five educators strengthen the foundation of teacher-child interactions through intentional sensitivity and wellness practices. The importance of this work lies in its impact on both children and educators: daily practices such as mindful pauses, emotionalcheck-ins, and reflective strategies not only support children’s regulation and engagement but alsosustain educator well-being, preventing burnout and enhancing classroom quality.

Examine the role of educator sensitivity across birth-to-five settings by identifying how noticing, responding, and adapting to children’s needs fosters trust, security, and positive relationships.
Apply practical strategies for tuning into verbal and nonverbal cues, responding with warmth and presence, and supporting emotional well-being in children.
Understand the importance of daily emotional wellness practices and their impact on both children’s and educators’ well-being.
Practice mindfulness and reflection strategies to strengthen classroom engagement and guide positive behavior.

Recognizing Twice-Exceptionality in Early Childhood
Presenter: Krystal Clemons

This interactive presentation explores the complex profile of twice-exceptional (2e) children in early childhood settings. Participants will learn to identify the unique characteristics of children who are both gifted and have learning differences, disabilities, or other exceptionalities. The session addresses common challenges in recognizing 2e children, particularly when giftedness masks disabilities or when disabilities obscure intellectual potential. Through case studies, practical assessment strategies, and evidence-based interventions, attendees will develop skills to better support these often misunderstood learners. Special attention will be given to cultural considerations, family partnerships, and creating inclusive environments that nurture both strengths and address challenges in young 2e children.

Identify key indicators of twice-exceptionality in children ages 3-8, including behavioral patterns, academic inconsistencies, and social-emotional characteristics that may signal both giftedness and learning differences.
Analyze the masking effect between giftedness and disabilities in early childhood, demonstrating understanding of how these dual exceptionalities can obscure accurate identification and assessment.
Develop practical strategies for creating supportive learning environments and implementing differentiated approaches that address both the advanced abilities and learning challenges of twice-exceptional young children.

Resilient & Rooted: Thriving (Not Just Surviving) in Early Education
Presenter: Hannah Hayden

Early education providers pour endless energy, compassion, and creativity into nurturing young learners. Yet, in doing so, many educators neglect their own well-being—leading to chronic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout. This 60-minute session, led by a licensed mental health provider, re-frames “self-care” beyond surface-level tips and buzzwords, offering participants a practical and research-informed approach to sustaining themselves in the work they love. Together, we will: Define what self-care really means in the context of early education, moving beyond spa days and quick fixes to focus on daily, sustainable practices that support mental, physical, and emotional health. Explore the science of stress and burnout, including how stress impacts the brain and body, and why early education providers are uniquely vulnerable. Identify common signs of burnout and compassion fatigue, with tools for early recognition and intervention. Practice evidence-based strategies (grounding, boundary-setting, re-framing, and micro-practices) that can be implemented in the classroom and at home. Build a personal action plan for integrating self-care into daily routines, even in the midst of busy and unpredictable workdays. By the end of this session, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to protect their own well-being while maintaining the passion and resilience needed to thrive in early education.

Define self-care in a way that is specific, sustainable, and relevant to the unique demands of early education.
Recognize the signs and symptoms of stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue common among early education providers.
Explain the impact of chronic stress on the brain, body, and professional functioning.
Apply evidence-based stress management strategies (e.g., grounding, reframing, boundary-setting) in both professional and personal contexts

The Importance of Guiding Young Children: The Key to Self-Discipline
Presenter: Amy Josephson

We have observed a rise in the prevalence of children exhibiting negative behaviors both in and out of the classroom. Many educators require strategies to support young children in managing challenging behaviors. This interactive session will cover the rationale, strategies, and demonstration of developmentally appropriate guidance techniques that foster positive emotional outcomes for young children.

Understand the rationale and importance of guiding young children’s behavior to enhance their emotional development.
Acquire best practices and strategies for supporting young children as they manage behavior and develop self-discipline.
Apply discipline techniques to real world classroom settings.

The Power of Play: Strategies for Educating Families on the Importance of Learning Through Play
Presenter: Dr. Stacey Park

As early childhood educators, we know young children learn best through active, play-based experiences. Yet families may not always understand how play supports learning and school readiness. In this session, participants will learn to design intentional, standards-aligned play experiences, communicate the value of play to families, and develop lesson plans using guided play approaches.

Explore the benefits of a play-based curriculum on children's learning and development.
Examine the theoretical framework that supports the concept of learning through play.
Discover how to intentionally design play-based activities that align with standards and objectives.
Explore strategies for educating families on the importance of learning through play.

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Concurrent Workshops

Behavior Challenges - An Opportunity to Empower A Program
Presenter: Ashley Pearce

In this session, we will explore some of the most common and often most challenging infant and toddler behaviors. We will look at the developmental reasons behind behaviors such as biting, tantrums and noncompliance and appropriate responses to those behaviors. At the end of the session, participants will understand their role as administrators and caregivers and walk away with simple, practical strategies that can be used right away to empower their programs as these challenging behaviors arise.

Identify the administrator’s role.
Discuss how to support the program with biting, tantrums, and noncompliance.
Practice skills so you can model them and empower the team.

Executive Function Under Construction: Strategies for Children with Disabilities
Presenter: Lynn Young

Developing executive skills is key to helping children become resilient, manage stress, and achieve academic success. Specialists are often asked to create behavior plans to stop unwanted behavior, but what if it were looked at through the lens of missing executive skills? Understanding neuroscience, and seeing behavior as communication empowers educators to help students regulate their behavior to achieve academic success.

Teachers will learn strategies to upshift a child to higher brain states
Teachers will identify what behaviors are communicating and determine the missing executive skill needing to be taught.
Teachers will learn strategies to teach missing executive skills
Teachers will learn to write IEP goals and behavior plans that address missing executive skills

Let’s Play! Research-based Musical Learning Activities for the Early Childhood Classroom
Presenter: Mary Anderson

Integrating high-quality musical learning into your classroom routine is one of the most powerful ways to support all of your students’ learning and development goals (VA ELDS), address challenging behaviors, and meet the requirements within the CLASS Domains and Dimensions. Together, let’s fill your teaching toolbox with research based body warm ups, fingerplays, nursery rhymes, steady beat activities, movement activities, circle games, and age-appropriate songs to fill your classroom with the sounds of music and joyful learning! Be ready to sing, chant, and move during this session so that you can confidently integrate musical learning into your classroom next week!

Understand the transformative impact that intentional whole-group music learning, exploration, and play can have on young children.
Understand how music integration aligns with and supports the Virginia ELDS, the CLASS Domains and Dimensions, and addressing specific student behaviors.
Experience the power of music together while developing a personal toolbox of research-based musical activities to integrate into your classroom routine confidently and joyfully.

Literacy Throughout the Day: Creating Literacy and Math Rich Environments
Presenter: Tracy Cheney

Young children build early literacy and math skills through everyday play and routines. In this hands-on training, educators will discover fun, practical ways to weave these skills into daily moments—like arrival, mealtimes, and transitions. You’ll leave with fresh ideas and simple strategies to make literacy and math come alive in every corner of your classroom!

Recognize how daily routines and play build early skills.
Design spaces that encourage print, numbers, and problem-solving.
Use hands-on strategies for language, storytelling, counting, and patterns.
Reflect on current practices to embed more meaningful learning opportunities.

Movers and Shakers: Discovering STEM through Dance and Drama
Presenter: Terlene Terry-Todd

Looking for new ideas and creative experiences to enhance your STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) curriculum? This workshop introduces a variety of age-appropriate ways to use arts strategies to teach selected science curriculum such as physical science (the sun, moon, and earth’s rotations), Earth science (clouds and atmosphere), recycling, and engineering practice, while making strong connections to literacy and the scientific method of discovery. The early arts learning (EAL) fundamentals in movement and drama will provide the basis for new arts-integrated experiences created by you! This hands-on, interactive movement workshop will get your creative juices flowing as you become the next STEM movers and shakers!

Learn and practice basic elements of movement.
Learn and apply creative dramatics to STEM curriculum.
Develop STEM-based lessons that emphasize emergent literacy, social skills, and opportunities for creative approaches to STEM learning.

Strategies for Supporting Mandated Reporters of Suspected Child Abuse
Presenter: Alan Guttman

Early development and learning occur when children are healthy and safe. This workshop will ensure that programs establish policies, procedures and strategies that protect children when abuse is suspected. It is vital that programs support early care and education professionals in their roles as mandated reporters of suspected child abuse. Support should include training, consistent reporting policy development and implementation, and post-report procedures to ensure that staff feel safe. In this highly engaging workshop, learn why staff sometimes don't report suspected child abuse. Video vignettes and research will be presented to inform discussions around the development of strategies, policies and procedures to ensure reliable and consistent reporting of suspected child abuse.

Learn to recognize the symptoms and indicators of potential child abuse and neglect, and the legal requirements for mandated reporting.
Learn and discuss strategies for developing effective and consistent child abuse reporting policies and procedures that support staff in their role as mandated reporters.
Reproduce all training materials, including the training slide deck, for use in training teachers, caregivers, and employees.

Understanding Proprioceptive and Vestibular Input: The Impact on Self-Regulation and Control in the Classroom
Presenter: Preston Blackburn

Are chaos and the wiggles in your classroom bringing you down? Do you feel like every time you turn around, students are upside down, leaning on each other at circle time, or can’t keep their hands to themselves? This session will dive into two essential sensory systems that calm bodies and minds and prepare children for learning. Join us as we not only explore these sensory systems, but also provide easy-to-implement tools you can use on Monday.

Learn about 2 essential sensory systems - Explore their definitions and roles in learning.
Examine the proprioceptive and vestibular systems and their role in self-regulation and self-control in the classroom.
Take away evidence-based games and activities.

When the Body Teaches: Rediscovering the Power of Movement in Early Childhood Learning Cuando el cuerpo enseña: redescubriendo el poder del movimiento en el aprendizaje durante la primera infancia
Presenter: Gloria Salazar

With years of experience, teachers learn to master many strategies, plans, and tools, but sometimes we forget the most essential truth: a child’s body is their first instrument for learning. Before they can write, they need coordination; before they can read, they need spatial awareness; before they can concentrate, they need movement.
This talk invites us to remember and reconnect with this simple yet powerful truth: movement builds thought. From a psychomotor perspective, we will reflect on how every jump, spin, and gesture strengthens a child’s mind and confidence. And also how we, as teachers, can bring the body back to the center—not only the children’s bodies, but our own, as a living tool for teaching, supporting, and communicating. It’s not about “adding more motor activities,” but about giving the body its rightful place in learning: in language, in emotion, and in thought. Because when the body is present, the mind awakens and the heart connects.
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Con años de experiencia, los profesores aprenden a dominar muchas estrategias, planes y herramientas, pero a veces olvidamos la verdad más esencial: el cuerpo de un niño es su primer instrumento para aprender. Antes de poder escribir, necesitan coordinación; antes de poder leer, necesitan conciencia espacial; antes de poder concentrarse, necesitan movimiento.
Esta charla nos invita a recordar y reconectar con esta verdad simple pero poderosa: el movimiento construye el pensamiento. Desde una perspectiva psicomotora, reflexionaremos sobre cómo cada salto, giro y gesto fortalece la mente y la confianza de un niño. Y también cómo nosotros, como profesores, podemos devolver el cuerpo al centro, no solo el cuerpo de los niños, sino el nuestro propio, como herramienta viva para enseñar, apoyar y comunicar. No se trata de «añadir más actividades motoras», sino de dar al cuerpo el lugar que le corresponde en el aprendizaje: en el lenguaje, en las emociones y en el pensamiento. Porque cuando el cuerpo está presente, la mente se despierta y el corazón se conecta.

Recognize the connection between movement and cognitive development, understanding how the body organizes attention, memory, and thinking.
Revisit the fundamental principles of psychomotricity, valuing it as the foundation of learning and not just a moment of play or release.
Identify how their classroom structure can support or limit meaningful movement.
Integrate movement with pedagogical intention, weaving it into routines, songs, transitions, and learning experiences.
Revalue their own physical presence as teachers, understanding that their voice, rhythm, gestures, and way of moving also teach.
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Reconocer la conexión entre el movimiento y el desarrollo cognitivo, comprendiendo cómo el cuerpo organiza la atención, la memoria y el pensamiento.
Revisitar los principios fundamentales de la psicomotricidad, valorándola como la base del aprendizaje y no solo como un momento de juego o liberación.
Identificar cómo la estructura de su aula puede apoyar o limitar el movimiento significativo.
Integrar el movimiento con la intención pedagógica, incorporándolo a las rutinas, las canciones, las transiciones y las experiencias de aprendizaje.
Revalorizar su propia presencia física como profesores, comprendiendo que su voz, su ritmo, sus gestos y su forma de moverse también enseñan.

4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. – Concurrent Workshops

Once Upon A STEAM: Teaching with Fractured Fairy Tales
Presenter: Ashley Belote

Once upon a time, there were two STEAM-powered educators on a mission to merge science, technology, engineering, art, and math skills with fractured fairy tale narratives in the early elementary classroom! Join nationally-recognized STEM educator Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor and children’s author/illustrator Ashley Belote to gain practical strategies for easily integrating STEAM activities into your daily teaching. This session equips you with hands-on activities—rooted in Ashley’s new fractured fairy tale book, Little Red and BIG, BAD FRED—that support comparing and contrasting, mapping, learning directions, exploring seasons and seasonal change, practicing visual literacy, investigating sink/float, and more. You’ll leave prepared with ready-to-use ideas that will inspire your students, allowing them to read and think happily ever after.

Explore curriculum-aligned STEAM activities using Little Red and BIG, BAD FRED in your classroom.
Foster creativity and imagination rooted in comparison and contrast skills by exploring alternative versions of familiar stories/fairy tales
Discover useful ways to pull lessons from fractured fairy tales and other books already present in your classroom library
Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through story-based STEAM activities and challenges

Putting the Group in Group Time
Presenter: Alexa Harmon

This session will focus on strategies for engaging children ages 3-5 during group time in meaningful and developmentally appropriate ways. Participants will explore interactive new welcome songs, using a variety of music and movement activities, and introducing fresh classroom materials and new routines to capture children’s attention. Emphasis will be placed on keep children focused and activity involved while supporting their learning and social-emotional growth.

Identify developmentally appropriate strategies to engage all children during group time.
Practice interactive techniques such as welcome songs, movement activities and opportunities to maintain children’s attention and focus
Explore ways to introduce new materials that enhance participation and support classroom learning goals
Apply strategies that promote active engagement, social- emotional growth and a positive group experience

Sailing Toward Stronger Connections Using CLASS®
Presenter: Sara Diamond

Strengthen meaningful interactions with children birth to three in this session with Teachstone. Through exploration of the CLASS 2nd Edition Infant-Toddler tool, you will build familiarity of interactions that promote young learners' emotional and cognitive growth. The discussions and activities are designed to help you feel empowered to captain your classroom, learn strategies to navigate rough waters, and anchor your interactions with children and families in CLASS.

Discover how the CLASS system helps educators learn about, measure, and improve teacher-child interactions Explore the structure and unique characteristics of the CLASS 2nd Edition Infant-Toddler tool.
Identify key components and understand the impact of high-quality interactions for settings caring for infants and toddlers that support children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Learn strategies to strengthen interactions with families and children, and to incorporate CLASS into daily routines, transitions, and play across all early learning settings.

School Readiness: How the Public Library Can Help
Presenter: Susa La Paro

Public libraries can be partners with community organizations and schools in the effort to prepare children for kindergarten. Learn what public libraries are doing to contribute to school readiness and how to combine resources. Find out what services and programs public libraries offer to reinforce school readiness skills for your students and their caregivers.

Identify and reach out to their local public library
Use public library resources to enhance school readiness
Learn about successful Virginia public library school readiness programs
Create partnerships to serve children and their caregivers in school readiness efforts

Smart Systems, Smooth Days: Operational Leadership in ECE
Presenter: Ja’Ron Vanderhall

Running an early childhood program is no small feat—but with the right systems in place, even the busiest days can run like clockwork. This session offers practical insights into operational leadership, focusing on how streamlined systems can reduce stress, improve efficiency, and elevate the quality of care. From staffing and scheduling to compliance and communication, participants will explore tools and strategies that make administration smoother and more sustainable. Whether you're a center director, program coordinator, or emerging leader, this session will help you lead with clarity, confidence, and calm.

Analyze common administrative challenges in early learning environments and explore strategic solutions that promote efficiency and reduce stress.
Learn how to streamline center operations, such as digital management platforms, workflow charts, and policy checklists.
Evaluate & develop great on staff morale, child outcomes, and family engagement, using creative ideas.
Design an action plan to implement &improve operational systems in their own early childhood setting, tailored to their unique context and resource.

Thinking for Tomorrow: Critical Thinking as a Path to Peace in Early Learning
Presenter: Syeda Mleeha Shah

Critical thinking is not reserved for older students—it begins in the earliest years of life. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore developmentally appropriate strategies to nurture curiosity, problem-solving, and reflective thinking in young children ages birth to 8. The session will highlight how educators can encourage children to ask thoughtful questions, explore multiple perspectives, and make decisions through play, storytelling, and everyday routines. We will also examine how culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices strengthen children’s ability to analyze, evaluate, and collaborate with empathy. Drawing from classroom examples, peace education practices, and current research, participants will reflect on their own teaching approaches and identify opportunities to weave critical thinking into daily interactions. By the end of the session, educators will leave with concrete tools, reflective prompts, and activity ideas that can be immediately applied in their classrooms—helping young children grow as curious learners, thoughtful problem-solvers, and compassionate community members.

Define critical thinking in the context of early childhood education and identify its developmental foundations.
Apply at least three practical strategies for integrating critical thinking into everyday routines, play, and conversations with young children.
Reflect on how cultural awareness and inclusive practices support the development of children’s problem-solving and decision-making.
Develop an action plan for fostering a classroom environment that encourages curiosity, questioning, and deeper learning.

Three Streams, One River: Integrating Reggio Emilia, Conscious Discipline, and Biblical Foundations for Transformative Early Childhood Education
Presenter: Doyna Illmer

This workshop explores the powerful integration of three complementary educational approaches that together create high-quality learning environments for young children. Participants will discover how Reggio Emilia's child-centered philosophy, Conscious Discipline's brain-based social-emotional learning, and biblical foundations can be seamlessly woven together to support the whole child—spiritually, emotionally, academically, and socially. Through interactive discussions and real classroom examples, attendees will learn practical strategies for implementing this integrated approach in their own educational settings. Whether participants are leading a faith-based program or seeking to incorporate universal principles of respect, relationship, and wonder into their practice, this session offers evidence-based methods that honor children's innate capacity for learning while building strong foundations for character development. The content is valuable for both faith-based and secular programs.

Understand the core principles of Reggio Emilia philosophy, Conscious Discipline methodology, and character-based education to create integrated educational approaches
Design Learning Environments that simultaneously support children's emotional regulation, character development, and community building through intentional space planning and material selection
Implement Documentation Strategies that make children's learning visible while celebrating growth in academic, social-emotional, and character development areas
Create learning experiences that balance child-led inquiry with intentional skill-building and character formation opportunities
Build Family Partnerships that support consistent approaches between home and school
Establish Professional Practices for ongoing reflection, collaboration, and growth that sustain integrated educational approaches over time

Using Curriculum to Guide Your Classroom
Presenter: Marjorie Quesenberry

Using curriculum in your classroom should be more reliable than wishing on a star. Engaging infants and toddlers can be quite the task when you are also trying to accomplish the day-to-day activities. Join discussions on curriculum, big ideas, and the cycle of inquiry in relation to infant and toddler classrooms. Learn how to use routines and daily activities to teach and engage children in developmentally appropriate ways. Whether you are familiar with how to use the curriculum or are just starting off, let us dive deeper together.

Learn how to promote child development and learning with developmentally appropriate practices (DAP).
Explore the cycle of inquiry and practice turning observations into big ideas
Practice turning routines and daily activities into curriculum guided activities for their classrooms.

What's on Your Mind and Where to Find Answers on Health and Safety Related Topics?
Presenter: Jeff Williams

The Assistant Superintendent of the VA Department of Education’s Office of Child Care Health and Safety will field questions and comment from the child care community and provide insight and tools on how to find answers and information related to child care health and safety.

To afford child providers the opportunity to share with VDOE leadership what is on their mind and get information and answers to questions they have.
To afford VDOE leadership the opportunity to clear up any potential misunderstanding or confusion related to the regulation of health and safety standards.

Y'All Means All
Presenter: Kimmothy Cole

Y’all Means All is a primer on LGBTQIA+ culture and history. With an overview of vocabulary and resources for better understanding ourselves, Kimmothy Cole creates a space to learn without judgement. Participants explore practices for encouraging curiosity, self-discovery and intergenerational co-learning. Cole offers simple methods for building spaces where children feel loved no matter who they become.

Identifying basic categories of LGBTQIA+ identities, how they’re different and where they overlap
Understanding broad patterns in LGBTQIA+ history
Cultural intersections of LGBTQIA+ identity
Practical approaches to building inclusive education spaces