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 (Eng)

LIMITED

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

Salon 10

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

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)

LIMITED

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

Salon 9

Limited Capacity seats available

Moderators

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone

Speakers

Monica Barrera

Teachstone

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

Teachstone

11:10am CDT

Redirecting and Reframing Misbehavior

FILLING

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

Salon 6

Limited Capacity filling up

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

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone

Speakers

Melissa Wilhelm

Teachstone

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

Teachstone

11:10am CDT

Strategies for Supporting Educators Well Being

LIMITED

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

Salon 2

Limited Capacity seats available

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

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone

Speakers

Monica Barrera

Teachstone

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

Teachstone

1:20pm CDT

Focusing on the Purpose During Center Time

LIMITED

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

Salon 7

Limited Capacity seats available

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

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone

Speakers

Melissa Wilhelm

Teachstone

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

Teachstone

1:20pm CDT

Supporting Interactions to Enhance Math Development

LIMITED

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

Salon 8

Limited Capacity seats available

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

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone

Speakers

Monica Barrera

Teachstone

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

Teachstone

3:10pm CDT

Family Engagement and Connection

FILLING

Thursday August 6, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT

Salon 2

Limited Capacity filling up

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

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone

Speakers

Liana Ondra

CLASS Specialist, Teachstone

Thursday August 6, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 2

Teachstone

3:10pm CDT

Supporting Interactions to Enhance Literacy Development

LIMITED

Thursday August 6, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT

Salon 7

Limited Capacity seats available

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

Teachstone

9:20am CDT

9:20am CDT

11:10am CDT

11:10am CDT

1:20pm CDT

1:20pm CDT

3:10pm CDT

3:10pm CDT

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