2026 DFSS PreService: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2026 3-Day DFSS PreService

📍Palmer House Chicago
17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603

Breakfast and Registration open at 8:00am
Conference programming from 9:00am -4:10pm

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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9:20am CDT

Getting Started with CLASS (Sp)

LIMITED

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT

Salon 6

Limited Capacity seats available

Designed for educators who are newer to CLASS concepts,
this session offers CLASS basics and describes how educators,
leaders, and coaches can use them to develop better, more
meaningful interactions with children.

Moderators

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone

Speakers

Monica Barrera

Teachstone

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 6

Teachstone

11:10am CDT

Making the Most of Transitions

LIMITED

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT

Salon 6

Limited Capacity seats available

This session builds on what educators already know to make transitions
as comfortable and as smooth as possible while also finding and
nurturing learning opportunities.

Moderators

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone

Speakers

Liana Ondra

CLASS Specialist, Teachstone

Liana has over 10 years of experience working in Early Childhood. She earned a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Liberty University and has worked in classrooms in both private and public ECE programs. She has also worked as an Instructional Coach with Head Start and... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 6

Teachstone

1:20pm CDT

Differentiating Language for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers: Tiny tweaks to create meaningful interactions

LIMITED

Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT

Salon 6

Limited Capacity seats available

We all know that language is important for children at all stages of life, but how do we know what’s most meaningful for the youngest children? It doesn’t have to be big, sweeping changes. Using the theories of language development and research-based tools, come discover how small changes in your interactions can maximize language opportunities for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Speakers