Early Childhood Conference

Christina Soontornvat

Christina Soontornvat is the award-winning author of over twenty books for children of all ages. Her picture books include The Ramble Shamble Children, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Lauren Castillo, and To Change a Planet, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Belle. She is the author of the beloved Diary of an Ice Princess chapter book series and the bestselling graphic novel, The Tryout. Christina has received three Newbery Honor awards for her books for middle grade readers, and she is the only author to be awarded Newbery Honors for both fiction and nonfiction in the same year. Her account of the Thai Cave Rescue, All Thirteen, received numerous accolades, including the Kirkus Prize for Young People’s Literature. She travels all over the world to speak to children, writers, and educators about her love of reading and storytelling.

Christina grew up behind the counter of her parents’ Thai restaurant in a small Texas town with her nose stuck in a book. She is very proud of both her Thai and her Texan roots, and makes regular trips to both Weatherford and Bangkok to see her beloved family members (and eat lots and lots of Thai food!). In addition to being an author, Christina holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Science Education. She spent a decade working in the science museum field, where she designed programs and exhibits to get kids excited about science. She is passionate about STEM (science, technology engineering, and math) and loves learning new things. She currently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two daughters.

Gerry Brooks

Gerry Brooks is a veteran educator in Lexington, Kentucky. His educational experience includes six years in the classroom, two years as an intervention specialist, and 12 years as an administrator.

He is a passionate public speaker whose focus is on encouraging and helping teachers improve their instructional abilities. He also has a desire to help administrators successfully lead their staff.

An encouraging speaker, he has spoken to educational groups all around the nation. His focus is on encouraging teachers to improve their instruction through personal climate and culture strategies. He desires to help administrators focus on how to lead all staff in a positive and constructive manner.

His following on social media has developed through humorous videos that focus on real-world educational experiences.

Dr. Tricia A. Zucker

Tricia A. Zucker, Ph.D., is an education researcher, former teacher, and mom of three girls who enjoy extended conversations. She is a professor of pediatrics and the co-director of the Children’s Learning Institute at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, whose mission is to increase access to high-quality education opportunities and the understanding of how early education opportunities determine later school and health outcomes. Dr. Zucker’s research interests include the early identification and prevention of reading disabilities, evidence-based curricula and instruction, and aligned family- and school-based interventions.

Building Self Regulation Skills - PAX Good Behavior Game for Early Childhood

Mary Anne Hettenhaus and Janet Pena

In this informational session, participants will learn about The PAX Good Behavior Game® (PAX GBG), which is a classroom-based universal preventive intervention implemented by educators to teach students self-regulation. PAX GBG is not a set of lessons or a curriculum, but strategies teachers use throughout their normal school day to build students’ behavioral skills and stamina for focused attention and on-task behavior.

Building Language - Building Brains

Get Into the Habit with Numeracy Routines

Let's Go Code!

Angelica Lopez

Embark on an inspiring journey of early coding education! Explore age-appropriate coding tools with and without screens, delve into effective instructional strategies, and cultivate a supportive learning environment. Discover hands-on activities that foster computational thinking in young minds. Equip yourself to seamlessly integrate coding into your early childhood curriculum, nurturing a foundation for future STEAM success. Elevate your teaching approach and empower your students for a tech-savvy future!

Coding Creatures for Primary Students

Lengthen the Fuse: Cultivating Persistence and Self-Management in Tiny Humans

Jennifer Mangels and Jewellyn Forrest

Try as we might, we can’t give our students self-management. We can use language and strategies that give kids the skills they need to manage big feelings in healthy ways. Our workshop gives space for educators to reflect on their own teacher talk, then equips teachers with small language and routine shifts that lead to increased student independence and self-management. Learning cultures built around student agency, autonomy, and connection have the power to amplify and ignite student self-management. Today we start by exploring and practicing a simple, powerful language pattern.

Tips and Tricks for the Preschool Classroom

Carly Ferrill and Katelyn Spencer

Does your classroom feel like it's not running as effectively as it could? Come along and learn how to apply classroom management theory to your daily instruction. This session will focus on how to engage young learners by sharpening classroom management skills through the use of visuals, songs, and connection!

Aligning Technology Use to Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Early Childhood Settings

Lauren Gomez

This session will focus on utilizing technololgy in our early childhood programs through developmntally appropriate practices and strategies as aligned to the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. We wil also explore supports and resources for early childhood educators as they explore the use of digital media in their classrooms.

Creative Connections: Taking Time for Art, Yourself, & Others

Carlen Floyd

Participants will consider and discuss selected works of art from Blanton's collection, practicing SEL and instructional strategies that encourage skills of slow looking, observation, analysis, and a variety of personal responses. Our time together is intended to be refreshing and rejuvenating for educators and caregivers while equipping them to provide similar experiences for their students.

Finding the Zen in Kindergarten

Amy Stephens and Lauren Bethel

During these crazy times in our society, it can feel very overwhelming to our younger students and their teachers. A few simple mindfulness routines can help your classroom environment stay calmer and more productive. Research shows that children who engage in a daily practice of mindfulness are more prepared to navigate their days successfully. Students are calmer, happier, and more apt to retain new information.

Tools for Life: Developing Executive Function Skills in an Early Childhood Setting

Dr. Sharon Rodgers Jackson

Executive function refers to a set of cognitive skills that are critical for self-regulation, decision-making, problem-solving, and goal-directed behavior. These skills play a vital role in supporting play for young children by facilitating their social/emotional growth and their ability to engage in imaginative and purposeful activities. This session will provide details, examples and activities of executive function skills in the lives of young children.

The Power of PLCs for Early Childhood Learners and Educators

Monica Saldivar and Elizabeth Gutierrez

During our session, we will share our unique, four-week PLC cycle that supports student behavioral and academic growth. Our cycle includes goal setting and planning for instruction, peer learning journeys, student data review, and an RTI meeting where we track behavioral/academic progress. What sets our PLC process apart from traditional PLCs is the focus on utilizing our staff's expertise and diverse experiences. We establish norms as a team and commit to following them in order to be productive and intentional with one another's time.

Neurodiversity Affirming Practices

Chapin Patel and Leah Gluck

During this session, participants will explore neurodiversity-affirming vs. compliance-based educational and developmental standards. Then, we will discuss the benefits of neurodiversity-affirming practices and how to make your environment more neurodiversity-affirming.

5 Things All Early Childhood Professionals Should Know About Autism Resources

Kendell Ward and Monica Meyers

In this session, participants will learn innovative and new ways to support your early childhood population - socially, behaviorally, and academically. We will talk about 5 topics that we addressed for every early childhood professional to know: communication tools, reinforcers, parent training, sensory supports, and routines to create predictability.

Cooking in the Classroom

Andrea Karjack and Macy Vierra

Our session will be a representation of the joyful experience cooking and eating can be. Cooking utilizes developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood students which fosters confidence, exploration, and learning around food and its preparation. Participants get a close look at our cooking cart, the appliances/tools we use, and the classroom setup. We will share a list of items we keep on the cart as well as tried and true recipes from start to finish.

Readiness Redefined: Supercharging Pre-Reading Skills in the Pre-K Classroom

Alicia McClung

In the pre-K classroom, establishing a strong foundation for pre-reading skills is essential for a child's later success in literacy and overall academic achievement. Pre-Reading Skill Mastery prevents reading gaps from developing in the future. This presentation will offer an in-depth exploration of critical pre-reading skills, why they matter, and how educators can effectively nurture these skills in their young students.

Fostering Excellence: Exploring Collaborative Teaching and Practices in Early Childhood

Heather Cassity and Ashlee Johnson

Come explore the dynamics of collaborative teaching and partnerships through this transformative experience which will equip educators with practical tools to enhance collaboration within early childhood education. The session focuses on strengthening partnerships among educators and parents, and educators and co-teachers, emphasizing open communication, trust-building, and embracing diverse perspectives. The session places a significant emphasis on collaborative teaching styles and methods all while guiding educators in co-creating and implementing engaging lesson plans tailored to diverse learning styles.

Exploring the Extraordinary: Unveiling the Uniqueness of Pre-K 3

Ashlee Johnson and Heather Cassity

Delve into the nuances of early childhood education in our dynamic professional learning session. Explore the distinctive characteristics and developmental milestones that set Pre-K 3 apart from Pre-K 4. Gain valuable insights and practical strategies to tailor your teaching approach to the unique needs of each age group. Join us for an engaging session that equips educators with the knowledge and tools to create enriching and developmentally appropriate experiences for our youngest learners.

Cultivating Equitable and Encouraging Environments for Multilingual Learners

Jennifer Ackermann and Emily Grunt

Communication development is vital in the early years. It sets the foundation for how our students talk, express ideas, and interact socially! In this session, we will outline how communication develops and strategies that could be used to improve the speech and language skills of our littlest learners.

Positive Behavior Intervention and Tiered Strategies for Self-Regulation in Early Childhood

Jennifer Krawczyk and Ashley Wiseman Norment

What are children trying to tell us? Science tells us behavior is a form of communication, which can be particularly challenging to navigate when children have difficulty articulating their needs. In this session, participants will walk away with effective tiered supports and positive behavior strategies to implement in the early childhood environment and beyond. In addition, we will discuss research-based methodology and the science behind self-regulation, to help decrease challenging behaviors in the classroom. Participants will also engage in hands-on learning experiences and access resources to support executive functioning and self-regulation.

Spreading the Wings of our Young Multilingual Learners

Yisbeth Puckett and Josephine Rubio

Do you want to discover the practices that spark joy and curiosity in student agency in the multilingual early childhood classroom? Come and join us in this interactive session in which participants will uncover the unique elements needed to allow diverse learners to spread their wings and explore the world around them.

Reaching Milestones Through Play

Kelly Emadi

Are you worried your children are not achieving their developmental milestones? Want to put more play in your life? This session is for you! We will review typical developmental milestones and look at ways we can incorporate playful opportunities for children to reach those milestones with a smile!

Activities to Work on Speech Sound Development

Denise Szymczak MA, CCC/SLP

In this session, participants will explore speech sound development for 3-5-year-olds. Additional time will be spent going over routines, activities, games and strategies that help develop these critical skills.

Let's get LITerary

Corinne Wise and Michelle Pafk

Executive functions are mental skills that include cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibitory control. Executive functions enable children to organize their thinking and behavior with increasing intentionality and flexibility. Early learning programs that intentionally support the development of executive functions skills, in addition to supporting cognitive development, provide the best environment for children's long-term success. This session will familiarize teachers, staff, directors, and parents with the importance of executive functions and the role of play in the development of executive function skills. Participants will also explore targeted play-based activities that support executive function development through hands-on experiences.

Let's Play and Learn: Harnessing the Power of Play in the Classroom

Cheryl Dozier

Participants will identify why play is important to brain development, describe characteristics of play in the classroom (ex: joyful, meaningful, socially interactive), and how it stimulates development. Individuals and groups will have time to discuss examples and how they will incorporate play into learning opportunities across the day. We will identify skills that can be assessed during play activities and share methods of assessments.

The Sound and Shape of Instruction by Crossing the Midline

Roxanne Canamar

In this fun and active session, participants will explore ideas and activities to introduce the sound and shape of the language of instruction. Participants will understand how crossing the midline, and other fundamental exercises are essential to brain development and to making emergent literacy connections.

A Writer’s Wonderland: A trip through the stages of writing development

Melissa Maurer and Melinda Maurer

We will walk participants through the stages of Early Childhood writing development and provide ideas for supporting activities to generate connections for implementation. Through the exploration of writing, we will explore the Texas PreK Guidelines (2022) Writing Domain: Motivation to Write, Writing as a Process, Conventions in Writing, and the Writing Development stages chart.

Where do I begin? Getting Ready For the First Few Weeks

Katlyn Wilkerson

The first three weeks can be the hardest time for all teachers. Having your room set up for success helps get your year running smoothly. Setting up the classroom environment, establishing rules and procedures, and creating the visuals can also be time-consuming. Where do we begin? Stop in to learn how to have a smoother start to your school year. Resources will be shared to get you started.

Mobile Math

Betsy Herrington

No worksheets here! Have you been wanting to find unique ways to enhance your math instruction while incorporating student interest and play? You have come to the right place! In this session, we will participate in and collaborate on ideas for creating hands-on math activities that keep your students engaged, learning, and playing all at the same time.

Bridging the Pandemic Learning Gap with Outdoor STEAM Learning

Fine Motor for Little Hands

Amanda Tucker

Exploring Math Through Literacy and Songs

Alejandra Gonzales

Create Your Calm

Paula Freeman

Join Dr. Paula to experience evidence-based strategies proven to enhance emotional regulation, positive outlook, and life satisfaction. In this workshop, we will allow creativity to blossom with activities designed to engage young children in mindful awareness.