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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
Venue: Salon 7 clear filter
Tuesday, August 4
 

9:20am CDT

Getting Started with CLASS (Eng)
Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 7
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 →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 7
  Teachstone

11:10am CDT

The Magic of Monthly Books: How Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Inspires Young Readers
Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 7
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library inspires a love of reading. It is a book gifting program that mails high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth through their fifth birthday at no cost to the family. Information will be shared about the groundbreaking international research based on the largest dataset in the world on shared book reading. Attendees will explore the rigorous book selection process and participate in interactive group discussions and activities using parent engagement resources.
Speakers
avatar for Andi Drileck

Andi Drileck

Illinois State Director, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
My name is Andi Drileck and I'm the Illinois State Director at Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and sharing information about how we can get The Imagination Library in your area. As Dolly says, "You can never get enough books into the hands... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm CDT
Salon 7
  Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

1:20pm CDT

What's New in SmartTeach, 3-5, Part 1
Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 7
Speakers
avatar for Wilbert Owens
Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Salon 7
  Teaching Strategies

3:10pm CDT

What's New in SmartTeach, 3-5, Part 2
Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 7
Speakers
avatar for Wilbert Owens
Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm CDT
Salon 7
  Teaching Strategies
 
Wednesday, August 5
 

9:20am CDT

Making the Most of Transitions
Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 7
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
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 →
Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
Salon 7
  Teachstone

11:00am CDT

Using Data to Inform Professional Development
Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Salon 7
Data can identify which educators or age levels are seeing success in specific skills and where extra support
may be needed. This session will explore ways to collect and analyze data to ensure professional development
goals are grounded in current teaching practice and clearly identify a strengths-based approach to growth.
Moderators
AB

Alisha Bourque

Teachstone

BR

Bibi Rahim

Teachstone
Speakers
avatar for Monica Barrera

Monica Barrera

Teachstone
Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Salon 7
  Teachstone

2:10pm CDT

ReadyRosie, Part 1
Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:10pm - 3:10pm CDT
Salon 7
Speakers
avatar for Wilbert Owens
Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:10pm - 3:10pm CDT
Salon 7
  Teaching Stategies

3:20pm CDT

ReadyRosie, Part 2
Wednesday August 5, 2026 3:20pm - 4:20pm CDT
Salon 7
Speakers
avatar for Wilbert Owens
Wednesday August 5, 2026 3:20pm - 4:20pm CDT
Salon 7
  Teaching Stategies
 
Thursday, August 6
 

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

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

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

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
 

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  • Bright Scholars Academy
  • CELWS
  • CFL
  • Christopher House
  • City of Chicago
  • Claridigm
  • CLS Comprehensive Services
  • CPS-DFSS Disabilities Liaison
  • Department of Water Management
  • DFSS
  • Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
  • Erikson Institute
  • Globetrotters Engineering Corporation
  • INCCRRA
  • LLC
  • McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University
  • Nutrition Consultant
  • SEIU
  • SEIU Healthcare Illinois (SEIU HCII)
  • SGA Youth and Family Services
  • Start Early
  • Teaching Stategies
  • Teaching Strategies
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