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Friday, March 21
 

7:30am CDT

What Pushes Your Buttons? Recognizing and Reacting to Your Triggers
Friday March 21, 2025 7:30am - 8:30am CDT
Legends VII
This session will invite participants to identify social-emotional triggers in themselves which impact their own development and the development of those they teach or supervise. A variety of interactive and hands-on activities will be used to personalize the experience for each participant and to help them realize "what pushes their buttons".
Speakers
avatar for Cindy Galloway

Cindy Galloway

4K Coach, First Steps
After years in public school kindergarten and higher education, I am currently a 4K Coach in SC. I am a long-time member and presenter for SECA and SCECA.
avatar for Amanda Bailey

Amanda Bailey

4K Coach, South Carolina First Steps
I am currently a First Steps 4K Coach after years of teaching Head Start, early intervention, and in a self-contained, cross categorical special needs preschool classroom in the public school system.
Friday March 21, 2025 7:30am - 8:30am CDT
Legends VII

7:30am CDT

Early Childhood Development, But Make It BINGO LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 7:30am - 8:30am CDT
Legends II
Learning about early childhood development theories...boring! Who even cares about them? Aren’t they supposed to just take up space in textbooks? Well, what if we saw exactly how childhood development theories can help us become better teachers while playing BINGO, listening to Beyoncé, looking at silly pictures of cats, and winning prizes? This session will cover the “greatest hits” of Erik Erikson, Magda Gerber, Maria Montessori, Jean Piaget, and others, showing you how their theories help us understand the growth and development of children each and every day.
Speakers
avatar for Derrick Toups

Derrick Toups

Deputy Director, Center for Early Childhood Advancement, Agenda for Children
Derrick Toups lives in New Orleans where he serves as Deputy Director, Center for Early Childhood Advancement at Agenda for Children. At Agenda, Derrick annually oversees more than $45 million of public funding, contracts, and capacity building initiatives as part of implementing... Read More →
Friday March 21, 2025 7:30am - 8:30am CDT
Legends II
  Child Development

7:30am CDT

Recognizing Developmental Delay in the Early Childhood Setting LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 7:30am - 8:30am CDT
Legends III
As of August 2024, the Texas Administrative Code introduced the eligibility category of Developmental Delay to include ages 3-9. School districts are not required to use the new Developmental Delay disability designation but may, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. Noncategorical Early Childhood (NCEC) must no longer be used beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. Previously, Developmental Delay was not recognized for children over the age of 3 in Texas which could lead to gaps in services when transitioning from Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) to Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). This change aims to provide more consistent support for young children who exhibit developmental delays, ensuring they receive necessary interventions during this critical period of development. This category will include students who have general delays in the 5 areas of development including cognition, communication, motor skills, adaptive behavior, and social skills. It is important for early childhood professionals to recognize and identify developmental milestones and delays so that students can be referred, evaluated for, and provided special education and related services when needed to ensure future success. This session will provide guidance for recognizing developmental delays in all areas of development as well as action steps to take to support families in the referral process when necessary.
Speakers
EB
avatar for April Crutcher

April Crutcher

Instructor of Special Education, Midwestern State University
Friday March 21, 2025 7:30am - 8:30am CDT
Legends III
  DEIB, Special Education, Developmental Delay, Developmental Milestones

7:30am CDT

Moving Beyond PowerPoint: Making Virtual and In-person Training Engaging, Interactive, and Effective LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 7:30am - 8:30am CDT
Legends I
This session will focus on strategies to include more engagement and interactive opportunities for participants in training sessions both virtual and in-person. Engagement land interaction are just as important to adults as to children.New and easy-to-use digital tools will be introduced to facilitate effective training that is robust, energetic, and adaptable to many settings.
Speakers
NA

Nancy Alexander

Director, NSU Child and Family Network
Nancy P. Alexander is director of Northwestern State University Child and Family Network. NSU Child and Family Network provides a variety of professional development programs including webinars, CDA training, coaching, online, and conferences. Nancy earned a bachelor’s degree from... Read More →
Friday March 21, 2025 7:30am - 8:30am CDT
Legends I
  Professional Development

7:30am CDT

The Left Brain of Quality: Leadership and Logistics LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 7:30am - 9:45am CDT
Legends V
Revitalize your early childhood education programs with our dynamic training session on leadership and business logistics. This session delves into critical, yet often-neglected, aspects of business management and operations vital for maintaining a high-quality educational environment. Participants will gain essential tools and insights that will empower them to enhance their leadership capabilities, streamline program operations and ultimately deliver a higher quality program, ensuring a well-rounded and impactful educational experience for young learners.
Speakers
avatar for Niki DaJon, MBA

Niki DaJon, MBA

Owner, KSL Consulting Firm
Niki Da’Jon, originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, is a formidable force in the realm of early childhood education and business administration. A proud alumna of Loyola University New Orleans and the University of New Orleans, her academic prowess is matched only by her passion... Read More →
Friday March 21, 2025 7:30am - 9:45am CDT
Legends V
  Admin

8:00am CDT

ust for Students Breakfast: Students Start YOUR Engine!! with Lisa Maddox Vinson LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 8:00am - 9:45am CDT
Champions 3
Students, get ready to join us for breakfast and dive into a morning of interactive STEM learning. STEM, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is an educational approach that combines these four areas of study. It's student-centered and interdisciplinary, encouraging you to develop problem-solving skills. We have prepared hands-on activities to engage you and prepare your engine for the day.  We are looking forward to seeing you there!  And don't forget, we have some exciting giveaways you won't want to miss!
(Student registration Required)
Friday March 21, 2025 8:00am - 9:45am CDT
Champions 3

8:45am CDT

Shooting for Parent Engagement in Their Child's Learning: Plans & Resources
Friday March 21, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am CDT
Legends VII
Making sure that families have their own voice in activities planned just for them is, first of all, respectful and second, the best way to encourage participation and host successful events. Using a specially designed template, participants will use the ideas presented to plan an event for implementation when they return home. Together we will share our best ideas and learn from one another to create some great take-home strategies. The free template and a curated resource list will be available after the session.
Speakers
SJ
Friday March 21, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am CDT
Legends VII
  Admin, Family Engagement, Preschool |   Age Level, Family Engagement, Preschool

8:45am CDT

Building Background Knowledge Using Literacy and Engaging Activities LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am CDT
Legends I
This session will provide early childhood educators information about the importance of building background knowledge. It will also demonstrate how educators can use literacy to and engaging activities to build background knowledge. The participants will then have the opportunity to create a short literacy lesson that builds background knowledge with a group that has a measurable objective and an engaging activity.
Speakers
CR
avatar for Niekisha Walker

Niekisha Walker

Senior Training Specialist, Department of Veterans Affairs
I am a training specialist with the VA. I have previously worked as an Instructional Systems Specialist with the Air Force and Army. I also have experience as a govt contractor with the Navy. Before I began working with the government, I was Media Specialist for K-5th and a teacher... Read More →
Friday March 21, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am CDT
Legends I
  Age Level, Infant/Toddler, PreSchool, Kindergarten

8:45am CDT

From Reaction to Reflection: Supporting Social-Emotional Development in the Preschool Classroom LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am CDT
Legends VI
Have you ever tried to support a child who displays challenging or mistaken behaviors? Do you often struggle with helping dysregulated children return to a regulated state? As Early Childhood professionals we aspire to promote safety, security, and a sense of belonging in the classroom. By using evidence-informed pedagogical practices as a foundation, our presentation will explore best teaching practices for preschool-aged children. As professionals we know the importance of providing a calm and regulated space for young children through the implementation of social emotional learning and trauma-informed practice. The purpose of our session is to assist early childhood professionals in supporting children who may become dysregulated, defensive, and reactive in the classroom. When children experience heightened states of arousal, they exhibit one of four primary reactions—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. We will explore each of these responses in depth and provide resources for professionals as they navigate associated challenging or mistaken behaviors.
Speakers
avatar for Kristin Hommel-Miller

Kristin Hommel-Miller

Instructor, University of Central Oklahoma
VL

Vanessa Leal

Student, University of Central Oklahoma
Friday March 21, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am CDT
Legends VI
  Age level, PreSchool, Social Emotional |   Child Development, PreSchool, Social Emotional

8:45am CDT

Emotional Intelligence: The Role of the Early Childhood Educator LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am CDT
Legends II
This session will evaluate the advantages of using emotional intelligence in the early childhood classroom. Emotions are experienced before rational thought processes can occur; therefore it is necessary for early childhood educators to understand, practice, and model emotional intelligence as children develop their social emotional skills. Emotionally Intelligent early childhood educators are the key to establishing fully engaged learning environments. Participants will identify the four basic emotions and diverse vocabulary to describe emotions using emotion dolls and other hands-on group activities. The session will also guide participants in analyzing realistic early childhood classroom scenarios and how to model and use emotional intelligence in those situations. Participants will also be provided with techniques to cultivate poise, proficiency, and positive personalities that can strengthen early learning settings and promote collaboration in the early childhood education workforce.
Speakers
TD

Tara Dickerson

Project Direcot, Mississippi State University Extension Services
MT
Friday March 21, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am CDT
Legends II
  Child Development, Social Emotional

8:45am CDT

Sounds Like Play: Using Play to Foster Phonemic Awareness with Young Children LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am CDT
Legends III
The science of reading has created motivation to examine early literacy practices at every level. This session will explore the important pillar of phonemic awareness in the science of reading and how it applies in the early years. Participants of this session will explore developmentally appropriate ways to ensure this skill is integrated into the early learning classroom through the vehicle of play.
Speakers
avatar for Douglas Bell

Douglas Bell

Professor, Kennesaw State University
Dr. Bell has been in early learning for over 30 years. He has been a teacher, administrator and adult trainer. His areas of expertise are social emotional development and behavioral guidance, early literacy, infant and toddler quality, young dual language learners, and administra... Read More →
Sounds Like Play pdf
Quick Overview of the Phonemic Awaress Skills pdf
Examples of Phonemic Awareness In the Early Learning Environment pdf
Friday March 21, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am CDT
Legends III
  Curriculum, Literacy, Science

9:00am CDT

Coffee with the Exhibitors LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 9:00am - 2:00pm CDT
Discovery Ballroom
Come enjoy a cup or joe (or tea) with our exhibitors!
Friday March 21, 2025 9:00am - 2:00pm CDT
Discovery Ballroom

9:00am CDT

Silent Auction Begins
Friday March 21, 2025 9:00am - 4:45pm CDT
Registration
This annual event is one of the most popular features of our conference and will support our student groups and chapters in the future.  All proceeds from the Silent Auction will be placed in the Janie Humphries Student Leadership Development Fund to be distributed to our state affiliates to support our students and emerging leaders.  Stop by throughout the day to bid on a variety of items from each of the SECA states and be sure to be there at the close of the auction to see if you were the lucky winner.   Remember, those last-minute bids can make the difference between getting the item or watching someone else take it home!
Friday March 21, 2025 9:00am - 4:45pm CDT
Registration

9:00am CDT

Visit with the Exhibitors!
Friday March 21, 2025 9:00am - 5:00pm CDT
Discovery Ballroom
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors and Exhibitors!

Did you know? Without our exhibitors, we couldn't have held a conference!
Did you know? On average, our exhibitors invest over $2,000 on booth spaces and expenses!
Please support our exhibitors so they can support us!
Thank an exhibitor today!

Friday March 21, 2025 9:00am - 5:00pm CDT
Discovery Ballroom

10:00am CDT

Friday Keynote Speaker Steve Gross and The Healing Power of Play and Optimism
Friday March 21, 2025 10:00am - 12:15pm CDT
Legends IV Ballroom
The Healing Power of Play and Optimism
Optimism is powerful. When human beings strengthen their ability to see and focus on the goodness and value in themselves, others, and the world around them, their social, emotional and cognitive superpowers emerge. Optimism, however, is fragile. Chronic stress, fear and overwhelming adversity can weaken and destroy our capacity for optimism. This inspiring presentation by Steve Gross, helps Early Childhood Professionals discover the power of optimism to create safe, loving, joyful, and engaging environments where kids can heal, grow and thrive. Using research, humor and personal stories from 30+ years of work with kids and their caretakers Steve will share how practicing optimism can bring out the best in ourselves, our colleagues and our children.

Friday March 21, 2025 10:00am - 12:15pm CDT
Legends IV Ballroom
  Professional development

12:15pm CDT

Visit with the Exhibitors! LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT
Discovery Ballroom
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors and Exhibitors!

Did you know? Without our exhibitors, we couldn't have held a conference!
Did you know? On average, our exhibitors invest over $2,000 on booth spaces and expenses!
Please support our exhibitors so they can support us!
Thank an exhibitor today!

Friday March 21, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT
Discovery Ballroom

12:30pm CDT

In pursuit of What Is in the Best Interest of Children: Reflections on Practices that Support Children’s Success: A Panel with Authors
Friday March 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Legends VII
Friday March 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Legends VII

12:30pm CDT

Your Voice Matters - The Preschool Revolution: Building a Culture of Equity from the Start LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Champions 3
Join us for our Annual advocacy luncheon, Your Voice Matters!
(additional registration fee)

How do we approach talking about bias, diversity, race and differences with children? Creating a culture of diversity in classrooms is more than just multicultural books and posters. Biases are developed during infancy and toddlerhood when learning happens unconsciously. We will take a look at how these hidden messages are formed and what we can do to change them. As early childhood providers, it is critical that we bring this work to the top of the curriculum, disrupting bias before it becomes unconscious.
Speakers
avatar for Audrey Rowland

Audrey Rowland

CEO, Green Space Learning
Green Space Learning provides online and in person, professional development and CDA preparation. We also design, build and install outdoor learning environments that connect children with nature.
Friday March 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Champions 3
  Advocacy

1:00pm CDT

Cultivating a Connection: Ensuring Every Child Feels Valued LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Legends III
This session is designed to help early childhood educators foster a sense of belonging and value in their classrooms. Participants will engage in activities and discussions that emphasize the importance of recognizing and celebrating diverse identities. By exploring their own multicultural selves, educators will gain a deeper understanding of diversity and empathy, essential for creating inclusive environments. The session will highlight how recognizing individual identities and providing individualized support can enable full participation and potential achievement for all children. Emphasis will be placed on the significant role teachers play through their words, actions, and attitudes, and the importance of intentional efforts to create positive feelings and inclusive practices. Strategies for promoting a sense of identity and belonging will be shared, along with reflections on the lasting impact educators have on children's lives. Participants will leave with actionable commitments to implement changes in their classrooms, ensuring that every child's social, emotional, and cognitive development is supported.
Speakers
avatar for Tammy Compton

Tammy Compton

Quality Counts Program Director, Spartanburg County First Steps
avatar for Teresa Phillips

Teresa Phillips

Training Coordinator/ ECE Quality Coach, Spartanburg County First Steps - Quality Counts
Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Legends III

1:00pm CDT

Add Pop to Parent Participation LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Legends V
This presentation introduces the pop-up concept to parent education and engagement in early childhood. Are your parents in a hurry? Too busy to attend parent meetings? This concept can help! In efforts to increase parent engagement we share a wide variety of strategies to support parent-child learning at home and parent participation at school.
Using curriculum objectives to guide and the element of surprise we have increased parent participation and family engagement in our program, and you can as well!
We will walk you step by step through our process from timing, topic selection, presentation, preparation and follow up. Some samples include physical/emotional health and development, cognitive development, and creativity.
Participants will have the opportunity to develop their own Pop-Up Parent Meetings to use, increasing participation at their site/center. We will also share some of our proven effective parent activities and some challenges.
Speakers
avatar for Hely Martinez

Hely Martinez

Center Director/ Family Service Worker, Brevard Early Head Start
Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Legends V
  Admin, Family Engagement

1:00pm CDT

The Power of Failure; Helping Build Resilient Kids LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Legends II
Some children fall down and pop back up and keep going, some lay on the ground and cry, waiting to be rescued. When exactly does this mindset occur in a child? Can we nurture a “can do attitude” in order to prepare the resilience inside a child they will need for the rest of their lives? Yes, and it starts when a child is born and is a lifelong journey.

As infants begin to roll, sit, crawl and walk there will be many falls. How the people around the child treat him during these times will begin to shape the mind. Do I try to reach that toy on the top shelf again or cry and point? A growth mindset comes from the encouragement given or is hindered by the adults around them looking to establish a bond. How can you build a bond with a child, without hindering their ability to keep trying in the face of adversity.

Experiments and brain scans show interesting results when children are pushed beyond their comfort zones. Failure can lead to discouragement but pushing past that failure strengthens the connections in the brain so when something goes right the concept is solidly learned. We can have environments perfectly set up for this kind of trial and error as long as children are allowed to work uninterrupted. Let us help you discover the power of failure
Speakers
avatar for Jolene Tollett

Jolene Tollett

Director, MOLO Bilingual Montessori School
I have been working in Montessori for almost 20 years and have AMS credentials in Early Childhood as well as a Master's in Early Childhood Curriculum and Development. I taught in a public Montessori school in inner-city Houston for nine years before becoming a private school director... Read More →
R
Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Legends II
  Age Level, Infant/Toddler

1:00pm CDT

Enhancing Family Engagement in Early Childhood Education LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Legends VI
This session highlights the critical role of family engagement in fostering young learners' growth and development. Participants will explore the benefits of building strong partnerships with families and discover practical strategies, resources, and activities to actively involve families in the classroom. The training will provide creative, culturally responsive approaches to strengthen communication, promote collaboration, and create a welcoming environment for families to support their child’s learning journey.
Speakers
avatar for Stacey Holmes

Stacey Holmes

CDA Coach/Instructor, Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative (OVEC)
FCL Learn and Grow Together pdf
Wombats FCL Guide pdf
Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Legends VI
  Age Level, Preschool, Family Engagement |   Admin, Preschool, Family Engagement

1:00pm CDT

Apples, Alligators, and All That! LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Legends I
"Apples, Alligators, and All That" will be a jam-packed fun and entertaining session! In the session we will gain knowledge of phonological awareness and its importance. We will sing and dance and learn new alphabet songs to use in the classroom to help your students to be strong in early literacy with definite letter recognition and confidence in letter recognition and letter sounds. Many door prizes and giveaways! Come join us!!
Speakers
avatar for Stephanie Carroll Books /Apples, Alligators, and All That

Stephanie Carroll Books /Apples, Alligators, and All That

Pre-K Teacher, Ferriday Lower Elementary
Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Legends I
  Curriculum, Literacy

2:15pm CDT

Visit with the Exhibitors! LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 2:30pm CDT
Discovery Ballroom
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors and Exhibitors!

Did you know? Without our exhibitors, we couldn't have held a conference!
Did you know? On average, our exhibitors invest over $2,000 on booth spaces and expenses!
Please support our exhibitors so they can support us!
Thank an exhibitor today!

Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 2:30pm CDT
Discovery Ballroom

2:15pm CDT

Owning Your Power
Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Legends V
"Own Your Power" is a workshop for childcare administrators to help them build confidence in their leadership abilities. Through interactive exercises and group discussions, participants will learn practical strategies for overcoming self-doubt, building trust with staff and parents, and maintaining their own well-being while leading their team.
Speakers
KW

Kate Woodward Young

Childcare Conversations
avatar for Childcare Conversations

Childcare Conversations

Co-Founder, Childcare Conversations
Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Legends V
  Advocacy

2:15pm CDT

Storytime STEM: Fusing Inquiry, Literacy, and Playful Learning LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Legends VII
What makes a natural scientist? Wonder, curiosity, a sense of purpose, and PLAY! We know that children learn best through a hands-on playful environment, but isn't that too much work to set up? When there is so much on teachers' plates, how can we connect science, STEM, literacy, and executive function in a playful, seamless way? In this workshop, participants will learn how to take a playful approach to integrating experiences across the curriculum -- while maintaining their own joy and ease. Join us as we develop a toolbox of practical ideas for connecting storytime STEM curriculum experiences that organically harness play to create opportunities for reading, writing, math, science, and executive function throughout the day. The workshop experience is hands-on and encourages active and engaged participation throughout.
Speakers
avatar for Diane Jackson Schnoor

Diane Jackson Schnoor

CEO, Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning
Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor helps educators build connections through multicultural picture books and STEM experiences to engage learners and build opportunities for literacy, math, and science gains across the curriculum. She brings 25+ years of practical knowledge from her work in... Read More →
Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Legends VII
  Age level, Preschool, Play, STEM |   Curriculum, Preschool, Play, STEM

2:15pm CDT

Hands-on Activities to Encourage Emotional Development in Early Education LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Legends II
In our conference session, Hands-on Activities to Encourage Emotional Development in Early Education, our Glenville State University Early Education Student Group, as well as early education faculty, will share a variety of hands-on learning activities to enhance and encourage young children’s emotional development. The presenters will share hands-on activities to encourage and strengthen emotional development, as well as activities to connect children’s literature to emotional growth. Family engagement activities will also be shared. Activities will be interactive and developmentally appropriate for preschool and kindergarten aged children. Handouts will be available. The content will be developed under the close guidance and support of the university’s early education faculty.
Speakers
CS
Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Legends II
  Child Development, Social Emotional

2:15pm CDT

Empowering Minds, Nurturing Hearts: Trauma-Sensitive Teaching for Student Resilience LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Legends III
This professional development program offers a comprehensive exploration of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma-sensitive pedagogy and socio-emotional learning. Participants will gain valuable insights and practical strategies to create a supportive and empowering learning environment that fosters resilience and social-emotional development in students. Through engaging sessions and collaborative activities, educators will acquire the knowledge and tools necessary to implement trauma-informed practices and cultivate a holistic approach to education that addresses the diverse needs of students in today's educational landscape.
Speakers
avatar for Pamela Cernjul, Ed.D
Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Legends III
  Child Development, Social-Emotional, ACEs |   Professional Development, Social-Emotional, ACEs

2:15pm CDT

Strengthening the Early Childhood Workforce: Strategies from New Orleans LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 4:30pm CDT
Legends I
In 2022, New Orleans voters passed a 20-year property tax (millage) that allocates over $20 million annually to provide free early childhood seats and services. With state matching funds that doubles this investment, New Orleans has had to rapidly expand its early childhood infrastructure, including its workforce. Join the leader of the city’s early childhood workforce task force to learn how New Orleans is thinking about teacher preparation and pathways, pay and benefits, and retention and recruitment for early childhood educators.
Speakers
avatar for Derrick Toups

Derrick Toups

Deputy Director, Center for Early Childhood Advancement, Agenda for Children
Derrick Toups lives in New Orleans where he serves as Deputy Director, Center for Early Childhood Advancement at Agenda for Children. At Agenda, Derrick annually oversees more than $45 million of public funding, contracts, and capacity building initiatives as part of implementing... Read More →
Orleans Parish Early Care and Education Workforce Task Force Playbook pdf
SECA 2025 Strengthening the Early Childhood Workforce Strategies from New Orleans pdf
Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 4:30pm CDT
Legends I
  Advocacy   Admin

3:15pm CDT

Visit with the Exhibitors! LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 3:15pm - 3:30pm CDT
Discovery Ballroom
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors and Exhibitors!

Did you know? Without our exhibitors, we couldn't have held a conference!
Did you know? On average, our exhibitors invest over $2,000 on booth spaces and expenses!
Please support our exhibitors so they can support us!
Thank an exhibitor today!

Friday March 21, 2025 3:15pm - 3:30pm CDT
Discovery Ballroom

3:30pm CDT

SECA Conversations for Change
Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Champions 3
Join us for SECA Conversations for Change! Engage in meaningful, rich, non-judgmental, safe conversations with state leaders and members in an attempt to grow individually and to explore how SECA can use our platform to ensure all children and families receive the respect and acceptance they deserve regardless of skin color.  
Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Champions 3
  Aadvocacy, Inclusion

3:30pm CDT

Top Secret Tips to Keeping Your Incredible Staff
Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Legends V
Are you a childcare administrator or manager struggling to retain talented staff? Join us for "Top Secret Tips to Keeping Your Incredible Staff," a dynamic and interactive session designed to help you understand your own personality and those of your team to foster a supportive and effective work environment. In this session, we will explore stress points, love languages, learning styles, and management styles, providing you with valuable insights to create a harmonious and productive team.

Participants will engage in a variety of activities, including self-assessment, identifying traits in others, and practical application using basic assessment tools. You will assess a hypothetical staff member or a real-life example from your experience, and create a personalized development plan to enhance strengths and address challenges. To make the learning process engaging, the session will incorporate a game show format where participants answer questions and solve scenarios related to staff management, promoting an interactive and competitive environment.

Group discussions will foster a collaborative learning atmosphere, allowing participants to share insights and strategies. By the end of the session, you will have created a personalized tool or plan for effectively managing and retaining your staff, based on the assessments and strategies discussed.
Speakers
KW

Kate Woodward Young

Childcare Conversations
avatar for Childcare Conversations

Childcare Conversations

Co-Founder, Childcare Conversations
Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Legends V
  Admin, Staffing

3:30pm CDT

Advocacy, It's Everyone's Job LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Legends VII
Participants will learn the fundamentals of advocacy, its importance and several ways they can help. Participants will take part in a fun and educational role play activity helping to reinforce key concepts from the session. A concluding open discussion will focus on the question "Now that you know more about advocacy, how do you plan to make a difference in our field of early childhood?"
Speakers
TR

Tammy Rutland

Consultant, Grant Writing LLC
Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Legends VII
  Advocacy

3:30pm CDT

ECE Partnerships: Convergence of the Ideal and Reality LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Legends VI
It is not uncommon to hear the phrase, “Teaching is not what it used to be” these days. What brought on that phrase? Is it really that teaching has changed or is it something else? We also hear the comments such as “Since the Covid……” as well as the increase in challenging behaviors and increased social-emotional needs. Addressing the needs of these students and their families cannot be done by the classroom teacher alone. We will need to work together with the other experts and professionals internally within the program and externally within the community.

In this session, we will examine the concept of partnership and how to transfer aspects of the ideal definition to the existing early childhood education field.
Speakers
RA

Ryan Alverson

Associate Professor, Northern Kentucky University
JG

Jaesook Gilbert

Faculty, Northern Kentucky University
Dr. Gilbert is a professor of early childhood education (birth-kindergarten) program at Northern Kentucky University. Courses she teaches include programming and education for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarten, screening and ongoing assessment, current issues and trends... Read More →
2025.SECA.presentation pptx
Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Legends VI
  Age Level, Preschool

3:30pm CDT

Connecting with the Entire School Community to Supercharge your Music Program. LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Legends III
Classroom teachers make awesome music teachers! Supercharge your music time with techniques to enhance student engagement and receive a free library of music and movement activities to take home with you. We will have fun with some great music, while also getting into educational content by comparing music education to language immersion and focusing on getting family members on board as partners in your teaching. Also like a language program, we will consider music vocabulary and how exposure to a large variety of musical styles and elements at this critical time in development is essential for children to understand and enjoy music of a variety of styles and from different cultures.
Speakers
avatar for Rob Sayer

Rob Sayer

CEO, The Music Class
Hi everyone! I started The Music Class 27 years ago to help young children grow up able to sing in tune, move to the beat, and enjoy music to the fullest. Early childhood is when parents and educators can make this happen! The best part is that bringing meaningful music education... Read More →
The Music Class Free Trial pdf
Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Legends III
  Curriculum, Music

3:30pm CDT

How to Speak Up: It’s Even For Introverts LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Legends II
Have you ever noticed that certain people do all the talking? You may be thinking to yourself that is a good thing: If other people talk, then I don’t have to! But not speaking up keeps you from getting your ideas heard, your values understood, and your needs met. What if there was a solution? In today’s interactive presentation you will pick up three tools to help you speak up, even if you are an introvert.
Speakers
avatar for Tonya Lehman

Tonya Lehman

Speaker, Joy Lab
Tonya is a national speaker and teacher.  With her rich background, she shares valuable insights and practical techniques to enhance your confidence, catering to both introverts and extroverts alike.  She and her husband raised their daughters in San Diego, California, and enjoy... Read More →
Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Legends II
  Professional Development

4:45pm CDT

Silent Auction Ends! LIMITED
Friday March 21, 2025 4:45pm - 5:00pm CDT
Registration
This annual event is one of the most popular features of our conference and will support our student groups and chapters in the future.  All proceeds from the Silent Auction will be placed in the Janie Humphries Student Leadership Development Fund to be distributed to our state affiliates to support our students and emerging leaders.  Stop by throughout the day to bid on a variety of items from each of the SECA states and be sure to be there at the close of the auction to see if you were the lucky winner.   Remember, those last-minute bids can make the difference between getting the item or watching someone else take it home!
Friday March 21, 2025 4:45pm - 5:00pm CDT
Registration

6:00pm CDT

You’re Invited! SECA Awards Reception
Friday March 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CDT
Legends IV Ballroom
Join us as we celebrate the 2025 SECA Award winners. There will be food, music and networking!
Friday March 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CDT
Legends IV Ballroom
 
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