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2026 DFSS PreService has ended
Welcome to the 2026 3-Day DFSS PreService

đź“ŤPalmer House Chicago
17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603
 
Breakfast and Registration open at 8:00am
Conference programming from 9:00am -4:10pm
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Thursday, August 6
 

9:20am CDT

DFSS Accident/Incidents: Creating a System of Support
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Ballroom


Speakers
avatar for Sharay Johnson

Sharay Johnson

Sr Director, DFSS
BC

Bria Carter

Project Coordinator, DFSS
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Ballroom

9:20am CDT

Advancing in ECE - Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship (CELWS)
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 3
Learn about the Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship, a citywide initiative supporting aspiring and current early childhood education professionals. This program covers full tuition and book costs at partner institutions, helping Chicagoans grow their careers and strengthen the early learning workforce.
Speakers
avatar for Darrell Brown

Darrell Brown

Manager - Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship, CELWS

avatar for Moe Azaan

Moe Azaan

Manager, Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 3
  CELWS

9:20am CDT

Managing Stress
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 9
This PDM training is designed to help participants understand the stress response system, reduce vulnerability to stressors, and gain skills to effectively cope with stress.
Speakers
RM
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 9
  Claridigm

9:20am CDT

On-Boarding Best Practices for CEL Programs
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 2
This PDM training will be an interactive discussion regarding onboarding best practices and program expectations for new and promoted staff. Programs will be able to enhance and/or develop onboarding plans that meet the CELs 2.0 program regulations.
Speakers
avatar for Ken McGhee

Ken McGhee

Engagement Manager, Claridgigm Inc.

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 2
  Claridigm

9:20am CDT

Developmental Milestones and Strategies to Support Growth (Part 1)
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 4
This training will provide participants with a review of the developmental milestones from 0-3 years old along with strategies to support children’s growth in the areas of communication, fine and gross motor, social emotional and cognitive development.
Speakers
LW

LaToya Williamson

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute
ZG

Zakiya Gilliam

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute

2026 Developmentally Appropriate Practice Handouts pdf
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 4
  Erikson Institute

9:20am CDT

Coaching to Fidelity 0-3
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 1

Speakers
AS

Angela S Johnson

Trainer, Teaching Strategies
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 1
  Teaching Strategies

9:20am CDT

Getting Started with CLASS (Eng)
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 10
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
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Liana Ondra

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 →
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 10
  Teachstone

9:20am CDT

Getting Started with CLASS (Span)
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 8
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
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Monica Barrera

Monica Barrera

Teachstone
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 8
  Teachstone

9:20am CDT

Reconnecting with your WHY
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT
Salon 12
"Early childhood professionals do more than teach, guide, and care for young children. They help shape the foundation for how children feel seen, supported, and prepared to engage with the world. Yet the work can be emotionally demanding, physically exhausting, and deeply challenging, especially when staff are navigating burnout, stress, shifting expectations, and the everyday realities of serving children and families with complex needs.

This interactive workshop invites early childhood staff to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the passion and purpose that brought them to this work. Through guided reflection, meaningful discussion, and practical self-awareness activities, participants will explore their personal “why,” identify the values that continue to drive their commitment, and examine how purpose can serve as an anchor during difficult seasons.

"
Speakers
DC

Dr. Carla Stewart

CEO, Counselor, and Assistant Professor, CLS Comprehensive Services & National Louis University
Dr. Carla L. Stewart, Ed.D, NCC, PEL, LCPC, is a renowned mental health educator, counselor, and advocate, celebrated for her dedication to supporting diverse communities. With an Ed.D in Counselor Education and Supervision from Argosy University, Dr. Stewart merges her comprehensive... Read More →
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT
Salon 12
  CLS Comprehensive Services   LLC

9:20am CDT

Budget Ready
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT
Salon 6
Do you want to know how not to have you budget help up in the city process? Do you know all the right documentation to send in along with your budget? Come let's talk about the documentation and allow us to explain the reasoning why?
Speakers
ET

Eleni Tianis

Supervisor of Children Services, DFSS CSD
JP

Jacinta Passamentt

Assistant Director Program Admin/Fiscal, DFSS CSD
AJ

Angel Jones-Dotson

Simple Servant, DFSS
Dr. Jones-Dotson has worked in the field of H/R, Grants Management, & Auditing for over 30+ years.  She is found of learning new things and helping others bridge the gap to what they thought numbers were to what the possibilities of what they could be.
Budget Ready Preservice Training 2026 2027 pdf
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT
Salon 6
  DFSS

9:20am CDT

Basics to Understanding Developmental Delays and Disorders in the EHS Classroom
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT
Salon 7
This training will provide a basic foundation of understanding various developmental delays and disorders common for children birth to 3 years old. The training will review the definitions of these delays/disorders and discuss strategies and interventions to support children diagnosed or suspected of a developmental delay or disorder. This knowledge will provide guidance on best practices for engaging children, individualizing, and lesson planning
Speakers
avatar for Pamela Stutzman

Pamela Stutzman

Infant Toddler Inclusion Project Consultant, Erikson Institute
I'm a former school social worker and administrator. I have 20 years of experience working in public schools with a focus on early childhood and early childhood special education. I am excited to be a part of the Infant Toddler Inclusion Project (ITIP) as a Consultant at Erikson Institute... Read More →
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT
Salon 7
  Erikson Institute

9:20am CDT

Educator Power: Empowering ECE staff to Lead and Advocate for Change
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT
Salon 5
This will be a workshop on advocacy and leadership, helping workers understand how to effectively use their voices to help improve early childhood policy and increase public investment in early childhood at the city, state, and federal level. After a successful session last year, we would like to return with added urgency, given unstable funding for many ECE programs. Empowering educators with the skills to lead and advocate for their profession is not only appropriate but essential for sustaining and strengthening the early childhood workforce.
Speakers
avatar for Shruthi Kannan
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:20am - 11:00am CDT
Salon 5
  SEIU Healthcare Illinois (SEIU HCII)

10:30am CDT

EXHIBIT HALL
Thursday August 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am CDT
Exhibit Hall
Take time to explore the Exhibit Hall, where you'll find a variety of resource tables featuring organizations, community partners, and exhibitors. Discover innovative tools, educational resources, services, and opportunities designed to support early childhood professionals and families. Stop by, make connections, collect resources, and be inspired by the work happening across our community.
Thursday August 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am CDT
Exhibit Hall

11:10am CDT

Does Multitasking Truly Exist
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 8
This PDM training will allow participants to reflect on the many roles they juggle each day. Through discussion and hands-on activities, participants will explore practical strategies for managing competing priorities, staying organized, and maintaining a positive and effective work environment.
Speakers
LH
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 8
  Claridigm

11:10am CDT

Facilities and Safe Environments
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 12
This PDM training will This training equips Head Start staff with the knowledge and practical skills needed to maintain safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate environments across all program facilities. Participants explore the environmental health and safety requirements outlined in the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), including building safety, sanitation, hazard prevention, emergency preparedness, and ongoing monitoring systems.
Speakers
avatar for Artiya Nash

Artiya Nash

Consultant, Claridigm
With over twenty-five years of experience as an Early Childhood Administrator, Artiya has a wealth of experience in designing and managing Head Start/Early Head Start and State Pre- K Programs. She has served as a District Director of Child Lab Centers for City Colleges of Chicago... Read More →
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 12
  Claridigm

11:10am CDT

From Data to Insights: Building Performance Dashboards for ECE Management using Execl
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 9
This PDM training is designed to help those who struggle with "data overload," spending hours manually compiling monthly reports on student attendance and developmental milestones. By learning to use Excel’s PivotTables, Slicers, and Charts, staff can automate the transformation of raw data into a visual dashboard. This enables the agency to instantly visualize performance trends across different age groups or classrooms. The result is a significant reduction in administrative hours and a clearer understanding of where additional resources or interventions are needed to improve child outcomes.
Speakers
RK
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 9
  Claridigm

11:10am CDT

Managing Stress
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Ballroom
This PDM training is designed to help participants understand the stress response system, reduce vulnerability to stressors, and gain skills to effectively cope with stress.
Speakers
RM
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Ballroom
  Claridigm

11:10am CDT

Optimizing Your Online Presence for Mission Impact
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 10
A strategic overview of how nonprofits can use their website and social media channels to advance organizational goals. This training helps teams strengthen community trust, improve parent engagement, highlight program successes, and support recruitment efforts by applying simple, effective digital communication practices tailored to early childhood services.
Speakers
PM

Phil Maclin

Sr. Client Delivery Manager, https://www.claridigm.com/
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 10
  Claridigm

11:10am CDT

Developmental Milestones and Strategies to Support Growth (Part 2)
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 4
This training will provide participants with a review of the developmental milestones from 0-3 years old along with strategies to support children’s growth in the areas of communication, fine and gross motor, social emotional and cognitive development.
Speakers
ZG

Zakiya Gilliam

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute

LW

LaToya Williamson

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute
2026 Developmentally Appropriate Practice Handouts pdf
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 4
  Erikson Institute

11:10am CDT

Annual Nutrition Training for Head Start and Child Care Staff
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 5
As a Nutrition Consultant, an annual training for Head Start and Child Care Programs is a mandatory requirement from CACFP and should focus on compliance, healthy eating environments, and practical staff implementation. Core topics to be covered are: USDA CACFP standards, family-style dining practices, and accommodating special dietary needs of children.
Speakers
avatar for Maria Pepito

Maria Pepito

Nutrition Consultant
Public Health Nutrition has been my passion for many years, starting from the remote villages, teaching mothers on healthy meals and proper nutrition for their families.Coming to the United States, worked with the City of Chicago Department of Health as a Coordinator of WIC, Nutritionist... Read More →
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 5
  Nutrition Consultant

11:10am CDT

Everyday Healing: Trauma-Informed Practices in Early Childhood Environments
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 7

Speakers
avatar for Melissa Moore

Melissa Moore

Director of Behavioral Health, SGA Youth & Family Services
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 7
  SGA Youth and Family Services

11:10am CDT

Coaching to Fidelity 3-5
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 1

Speakers
AS

Angela S Johnson

Trainer, Teaching Strategies
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 1
  Teaching Strategies

11:10am CDT

Redirecting and Reframing Misbehavior
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 6
We’ve all had students who push limits, struggle to manage their feelings,
or constantly demand attention. This session provides a variety of tools
and strategies for proactive responses, misbehavior prevention, and
modeling desired behaviors.
Moderators
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Melissa Wilhelm

Melissa Wilhelm

Teachstone
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 6
  Teachstone

11:10am CDT

Strategies for Supporting Educators Well Being
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 2
Providing emotional support to educators is essential for promoting a healthy, responsive learning environment.
This session will offer CLASS-based strategies and proactive tips for supporting educators’ well-being.
Moderators
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Monica Barrera

Monica Barrera

Teachstone
Thursday August 6, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 2
  Teachstone

12:15pm CDT

LUNCH
Thursday August 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm CDT
Ballroom

Thursday August 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm CDT
Ballroom

1:20pm CDT

Lakeshore Learning Growing Ready Learners: Where Families, Educators, and Learning Environments Thrive Together
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 6
Shared responsibility for kindergarten readiness
Family engagement resources and strategies that increase learning at home
Classroom design that supports play-based learning and school readiness
Transition practices  and resources that reduce anxiety for children and families
Speakers
TR
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 6

1:20pm CDT

Case and Time Management
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 3
"Develop effective skills in time management that provide ways on how to deal with the conflicting priorities faced every day.


"
Speakers
JJ

Jade Jackson

Professional Learning Specialist (UIC Center for Literacy's Family Engagement and Professional Learning Program (FEPLN)), UIC
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 3
  CFL

1:20pm CDT

Active Supervision
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 2
This PDM training will This training provides Head Start staff with a comprehensive, practice based understanding of Active Supervision, the mandated approach for keeping children safe at all times across all program settings. Participants learn how to implement the six core strategies—Set Up the Environment, Position Staff, Scan and Count, Listen, Anticipate Children’s Behavior, and Engage and Redirect—to prevent injuries, reduce risk, and create a culture of safety.
Speakers
avatar for Artiya Nash

Artiya Nash

Consultant, Claridigm
With over twenty-five years of experience as an Early Childhood Administrator, Artiya has a wealth of experience in designing and managing Head Start/Early Head Start and State Pre- K Programs. She has served as a District Director of Child Lab Centers for City Colleges of Chicago... Read More →
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 2
  Claridigm

1:20pm CDT

An Embedded Approach to Health and Safety
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 4
This PDM training will help staff explore simple ways to weave health and safety practices into everyday routines, activities, and interactions with children. Designed for early childhood educators and youth staff, participants will gain practical strategies to create safe, healthy, and supportive environments where children can thrive.
Speakers
LH
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 4
  Claridigm

1:20pm CDT

Peer to Peer Networking Session for Health
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 9

Speakers
avatar for Beatrice Nichols

Beatrice Nichols

Director, Children's Services, CSD
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 9
  DFSS

1:20pm CDT

What's New for Admins
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 1
Speakers
AS

Angela S Johnson

Trainer, Teaching Strategies
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 1
  Teaching Strategies

1:20pm CDT

Focusing on the Purpose During Center Time
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 7
Educators offer robust learning experiences when they invite active engagement. This session
focuses on ways to offer clear objectives and facilitate purposeful and engaged learning
during center time
Moderators
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Melissa Wilhelm

Melissa Wilhelm

Teachstone
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 7
  Teachstone

1:20pm CDT

Supporting Interactions to Enhance Math Development
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 8
It is important for educators to understand how educator-child interactions can impact the way children think
and learn about mathematics. This session focuses on supporting educators in promoting early childhood
math concepts through intentional interactions during activities, conversations, and play.
Moderators
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Monica Barrera

Monica Barrera

Teachstone
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 8
  Teachstone

1:20pm CDT

Sensory Play: Define and Explore
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT
Salon 12
This training will focus on understanding our sensory system, defining sensory profile and preferences as participants and for 0-3 yr olds, and incorporating what is learned into activities to support sensory development utilizing materials easily found in EHS classrooms.
Speakers
ZG

Zakiya Gilliam

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute

PR

Paulina Razo

Infant/Toddler Consultant, Erikson Insititute
avatar for Pamela Stutzman

Pamela Stutzman

Infant Toddler Inclusion Project Consultant, Erikson Institute
I'm a former school social worker and administrator. I have 20 years of experience working in public schools with a focus on early childhood and early childhood special education. I am excited to be a part of the Infant Toddler Inclusion Project (ITIP) as a Consultant at Erikson Institute... Read More →
LW

LaToya Williamson

Infant Toddler Inclusion Consultant, Erikson Institute
Handouts Sensory Play DFSS 8.2026 pdf
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT
Salon 12
  Erikson Institute

1:20pm CDT

Observation-Ready: Preparing Programs for High-Quality On-Site Assessments Aligning Staff, Practices and Environments for Success
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT
Salon 5
"This workshop is designed to strengthen teacher leaders and administrator capacity to effectively prepare staff, learning environments, and organizational systems for successful on-site observations. Participants will explore strategies for creating a culture of readiness, aligning practices with observation expectations, and utilizing standardized tools to ensure consistency and efficiency throughout the preparation process.

Through guided discussions, practical examples, and collaborative planning, administrators will learn how to support staff, and establish systems that promote confidence and success during on-site visits. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with actionable tools and a clear framework for preparing their teams and environments for high-quality observations and continuous quality improvement."
Speakers
avatar for Michelle West

Michelle West

Assessor and Training Specialist, McCormick Institute
avatar for Katie Gaul

Katie Gaul

Assessor and Training Specialist, McCormick Institute for Early Childhood
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT
Salon 5
  McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University

1:20pm CDT

Creating BLISS: In Our Childcare Interactions: A Reflective Journey of Connection and Insight
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT
Salon 10
This is a self-challenging tool for childcare providers to use to challenge themselves to reach excellence in their daily caregiving practices.
Speakers
avatar for Leslie Holycross

Leslie Holycross

Early Childhood Trainer, SEIU
Leslie Holycross is an early childhood trainer, consultant, and lifelong educator dedicated to supporting family childcare providers. After 35years as a public-school teacher, she now focuses on empowering caregivers through practical, relationship-centered training grounded in real-life... Read More →
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:20pm - 3:00pm CDT
Salon 10
  SEIU

2:30pm CDT

Building A Co Regulated Classroom - Classroom Management
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Salon 3
This PDM training will This training helps Head Start staff understand how to create a co regulated classroom environment—a space where adults intentionally model calm, connection, and emotional stability so children can develop their own self regulation skills. Participants explore the science of co regulation, including stress responses, brain development, and the adult’s role as a regulatory partner. The session emphasizes how consistent, responsive, and attuned interactions form the foundation for children’s emotional security and positive behavior.
Speakers
avatar for Artiya Nash

Artiya Nash

Consultant, Claridigm
With over twenty-five years of experience as an Early Childhood Administrator, Artiya has a wealth of experience in designing and managing Head Start/Early Head Start and State Pre- K Programs. She has served as a District Director of Child Lab Centers for City Colleges of Chicago... Read More →
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Salon 3
  Claridigm

2:30pm CDT

Emergency Preparednes
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Salon 6

Speakers
LH
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Salon 6
  Claridigm

2:30pm CDT

Managing Conflict
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Salon 7
This PDM training will equip participants with the skills to transform disputes into collaborative problem solving.
Speakers
RM
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Salon 7
  Claridigm

2:30pm CDT

Peer to Peer Networking Session: Health, Mental Health, Hearing & Vision and Disabilities
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Salon 1

Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Salon 1
  DFSS

2:30pm CDT

General Q & A
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Salon 4

Speakers
AS

Angela S Johnson

Trainer, Teaching Strategies
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Salon 4
  Teaching Strategies

2:30pm CDT

Family Engagement and Connection
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Salon 2
This session focuses on meaningful ways to engage with
families. Attendees will learn about effective classroom
practices and concrete strategies for promoting connection
and communication with families
Moderators
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Liana Ondra

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 →
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Salon 2
  Teachstone

2:30pm CDT

Supporting Interactions to Enhance Literacy Development
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Ballroom
The process of learning words, sounds, and language is enhanced by the meaningful interactions children
have with the adults and children around them. This session focuses on how educators can develop early
literacy skills and ensure each child is a valued conversational partner through intentional daily interactions.
Moderators
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Melissa Wilhelm

Melissa Wilhelm

Teachstone
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Ballroom
  Teachstone
 

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  • Bright Scholars Academy
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