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SPLASH 2023

MEET THE SPEAKERS

A few of the topics planned for this year's Splash include STEAM, small group, literacy, social-emotional, special needs and adaptations, diversity, trauma, leadership, coaching, music & movement, interactive online learning and so much more! Meet your Keynote and Featured speakers who will be appearing at Splash 2023 (be sure to bookmark this page, as new speakers and sessions are announced each week).

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS FOR SPLASH 2023

Adam Peterson
Teachers are the B.E.S.T.

Adam Peterson

Teachers are the B.E.S.T.

Keynote Description:
In this inspiring keynote Adam reminds teachers that they have the best job in the world and why their students think they are the B.E.S.T. teacher ever! From building relationships to teaching beyond the curriculum, Adam’s ideas will leave you ready to engage and motivate your students in the best ways possible!

Session #1: Teach. Play. Learn!
Ever feel like you’re bogged down with curriculum, standards, and new manuals?  Well, never fear, Adam is here!  Using tried and true methods, Adam will have you laughing, moving, playing, and learning as you explore ways to make your learning standards more fun than ever before.  With simple tweaks and classroom hacks to board games, card games, and more, you can have your students of any age learning through play in so many ways!

Session #2: The Science Box: Experiments and Explorations That Drive Student Engagement
Learning the science standards has never been more fun than this.  With a few surprises and exciting twists to your curriculum, Adam will show you ways to make science come alive in your classroom.  This session will have you and your staff working together to solve problems in ways that can be adapted for even the youngest of learners!

Adam’s Bio:
Adam Peterson is an award-winning educator, best-selling author, and a nationally recognized speaker.  After spending more than a decade as a kindergarten teacher, Adam now uses his knowledge and talents to inspire, educate, and motivate other teachers to create classrooms that encourage creativity, play, and hands-on learning. Adam is a TEDx speaker, and his message of making the world a brighter place through his “Be The Yellow” talk and campaign have reached schools around the globe through videos and assemblies for kids.  Being a believer that family comes first,  Adam spends every free second he has with his beautiful wife, Trisha, their two amazing children, and their dog, Auggie.

Weston Kieschnick
The Educator’s ATLAS: Your roadmap to engagement

Weston Kieschnick

The Educator’s ATLAS: Your roadmap to engagement

Keynote Description:
Based on the critically acclaimed book The Educator’s ATLAS, this session offers a groundbreaking roadmap for capturing student engagement in the first moments of class, and sustaining it all the way to the last. In keeping with Weston Kieschnick’s mission and vision for education, ATLAS holds both learner needs and teacher wisdom in equal importance. Central to this is alignment and clarification of student engagement that—once and for all—offers teachers an actionable role. Educators will leave this session joyfully inspired, motivated, and with a plan in hand for cultivating curiosity, creating participatory classrooms, and nurturing a desire to persevere in all students. And as is always the case with Kieschnick’s keynotes, participants will laugh and have a lot of fun along the way.

Weston’s Bio:
Weston Kieschnick is an award-winning educator, best-selling author, TEDx speaker, coach, husband, and father. He is the author of The Educator’s ATLAS, Bold School, Breaking Bold, co-author of The Learning Transformation: A Guide to Blended Learning for Administrators and the creator and host of Teaching Keating, one of the most downloaded podcasts for educators and parents on iTunes. 

Johnathon Hines
Relationship Matters

Johnathon Hines

Relationship Matters

Keynote Description:
Finding ways to connect is essential to building a relationship in the classroom, but human connection must often be paired with establishing trust.  Trust is hard to develop and very easily broken.  It requires a delicate balance of setting and meeting each other’s expectations.  With over a decade of experience in education, Johnathon has learned how to establish trust, not only with students, but also with parents and guardians, school leaders, and other members of the education community.  Through scenes from his classroom, learn practical ways you can establish trust over time by being consistent, establishing clear lines of communication, and listening to the thoughts and concerns of all parties, including the youngest learners.

Johnathon’s Bio:
In honor of his extraordinary work and impact in the field of education, Johnathon Hines recently made history as the first African-American male to be named Public School Pre-K Teacher of the Year for the entire State of Georgia. He was honored to be chosen for this recognition and is using his platform to inspire other men to work in early education. Hear his everyday hero story and how you can change the world one child at a time!

 

Jill Molli
The School Family: Using the Power of Connection to Create School Reform

Jill Molli

The School Family: Using the Power of Connection to Create School Reform

Session #1: The School Family: Using the Power of Connection to Create School Reform
Administrators and teachers are continually challenged to unite diverse individuals to work toward goals. Studies in schools nationwide reveal that a systematic approach to building community results in dramatic improvement in climate and academics. Discover a management model designed to meet the self-regulatory and social needs of all members from Pre-K to Principal. Learn customizable routines to de-stress, connect and focus as a team. Identify class structures to support practice of life skills such as active calming, assertive limit-setting and empathy.

Session #2: I Know You Know Better: Bridging the Gap Between “Knowing” and “Doing”

Knowing right from wrong and doing right from wrong are two very different skills that are often confused as one in the same. Many children “know” it is helpful to share, but aren’t willing to give up the toy. Many adults “know” how to effectively address conflict in the classroom, but are not able to access the skill in the heat of the moment. This session helps you understand the difference between knowing and doing, and gives you the skills to unify knowing and doing within yourself, with coworkers and with children.

Jill’s Bio:
Jill Molli has a B.A. in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Counseling. She possess the gift of delivering the important message of Conscious Discipline with humor, which makes for a wonderful learning experience. Jill was selected as a Master Instructor because of her no-nonsense ability to get to the heart of a situation and her commitment to living Conscious Discipline principles at school and at home. Jill’s experience includes delivering state and national keynotes, teaching children with behavior disabilities, teaching elementary school and serving as a school counselor. Her background has proved invaluable in teaching schools and school districts how to implement Conscious Discipline. She has also taught hundreds of Conscious Discipline parenting classes, with audiences including imprisoned mothers, “Soccer Dads,” and parents interested in learning more about how to parent their children. Jill is a contagious source of enthusiasm for and knowledge about Conscious Discipline.

Featured Speakers for Splash 2023

Analiza Laguitan
The HOW and WHY When It Comes to Curriculum Fidelity

Analiza Laguitan

The HOW and WHY When It Comes to Curriculum Fidelity

Session Description:
This session shows teachers and administrators what it means to implement a curriculum with fidelity. It includes tips for implementing Curriculum with Fidelity and how closely your program applies curriculum content and processes as designed and the keys to ensuring interactions and activities that result in children’s learning outcomes and school readiness. This session will look at the tools and structure needed to establish a system for monitoring implementation.

Analiza’s Bio
Analiza Laguitan is an Early Childhood professional and an administrator with 17 years of experience with children ages 0-5 years old. She is currently employed as an Early Head Start Education Coordinator and has a work history of 32 years as an educator. Analiza has served as an elementary teacher, a pre-school teacher, an assistant supervisor, a site supervisor, and a program specialist. She demonstrates strong knowledge regarding direct services and assistance towards low-income families with children, working with non-profit organizations. She oversees planning, training, mentoring, and evaluation of education services for staff members. She specializes in professional teaching practices for Early Head Start Program.

Analiza is co-presenting with Tanitta Clark

Angela C. French
Math, and Reading, and Social-Emotional Learning! Oh my! Cross-Curricular Crafts for the Classroom

Angela C. French

Math, and Reading, and Social-Emotional Learning! Oh my! Cross-Curricular Crafts for the Classroom

Session Description (Make & Take):
Follow your yellow brick road and let this session take you across the curriculum with items and ideas that will help you get the most out of every lesson or learning activity. Make the ordinary, extraordinary! Take everyday craft supplies and transform them into magical classroom tools. There will be no place like your classroom when your munchkins interact with these engaging, educational hands-on activities.

This session is co-presented with Carrie Aitkenhead.

Angela’s Bio:
Angela French is the Senior Product Development and Content Manager at Excelligence Learning Corporation for the brands Discount School Supply, Really Good Stuff, and Steve Spangler Science. She plays a vital role in bringing hundreds of proprietary new products to the marketplace each year. Angela leads a team of teacher product developers that create products in several categories including curriculum, classroom management, social-emotional learning, storage, and furniture; to name a few. She is an award-winning product developer, children’s book author, and national speaker.

Prior to joining the Excelligence family, Angela was a classroom teacher for 14 years and has taught regular education, inclusion, literacy intervention, and gifted and talented classes. She holds an AS in Education, a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies, and a MS in Early Childhood Education from Old Dominion University in Virginia.

Angela loves to travel and spend time with her husband and daughter. She is a US Navy Veteran and former professional photographer.

 

Axinia Zepeda
Creating a Safe and Caring Environment from the Administration Level

Axinia Zepeda

Creating a Safe and Caring Environment from the Administration Level

Session Description:
Join Axinia in learning ways to create a safe and caring environment that fosters mental health and academic success at the school level, even during the school year. Participants will have a chance to see visuals and examples of how they can help create a safe environment school-wide to help support Systems and Routines at school as well as learn how to incorporate a Brain Smart Start with their staff.

Axinia’s Bio:
Ms. Axinia Zepeda is a product of public education in Houston ISD, having attended River Oaks Elementary, Clifton Middle School and The High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. Axinia received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston- Downtown in Interdisciplinary Studies of Education, with a Minor in Psychology. She also completed her Master of Education in Educational Administration at Houston Baptist University. Currently, she is pursuing a doctoral degree of Education in Executive Educational Leadership with Houston Baptist University.

Ms. Zepeda has had experience working with children in all facets from the YMCA after school program, YMCA Day Camp, with the Even Start Program at Houston ISD’s Crawford Elementary to her current position with Houston ISD. She truly loves working with children of all ages and has a strong passion for working with Early Childhood students. Ms. Zepeda was a Prekindergarten teacher at Farias Early Childhood Center with Houston ISD as well as a Teacher Specialist for PK-2nd Grade at James Berry Elementary and Fonwood Early Childhood Center and currently serves as an Assistant Principal at Durham Elementary. Another passion of Ms. Zepeda’s is to be able to help transform a school culture and climate through the use of Conscious Discipline. She feels that we encounter many students who need to be taught not just academic skills but social and emotional skills as well. She also feels it is VITAL for a child to get a GOOD foundation in their education in order to be successful in the rest of their educational experiences. She has high expectations of all children, teachers and leaders. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, small arts and crafts and enjoying the outdoors. As she works to complete her doctoral work at Houston Baptist University, she looks forward to working with educators to improve instruction for all children. If you would like more information on Ms. Zepeda, visit her website at www.axiniazepedaportfolio.weebly.com

Bari Koral
Yogapalooza with Bari Koral: Your Magic Wand for Calm

Bari Koral

Yogapalooza with Bari Koral: Your Magic Wand for Calm

Session Description:
Ever wish you could wave a magic wand and create instant calm in your classroom (and in your life)? Welcome to Yogapalooza! Relax with a gingerbread man, go from Silly to Calm, learn dinosaur yoga and much more! Featuring a beloved curriculum full of music and engaging activities, this is the most fun you can have doing yoga and mindfulness guaranteed. Even if you can’t touch your toes or don’t have a yoga mat, you’ll discover that yoga is for everybody.

Featuring expert coaching by beloved kids’ yogi and recording artist Bari Koral, you’ll leave feeling confident, refreshed and excited. Bari’s session this year will feature some great new kids’ yoga activities that will be an instant hit in your classroom. Learn 5 simple practices like starfish and baby dinosaur breath that give power to the child to control their own emotions. Backed by science, Bari’s popular presentations also include a self-care portion to help you take a big step forward in your own health and happiness. Learn how to relax in wild times and take it easy on yourself! Beginners welcome!

Bari’s Bio:
Bari Koral is considered a pioneer in the world of kids yoga. Her popular kids yoga YouTube Channel has been viewed over 300 million times. With hits like “Going on a Dragon Hunt,” “Silly to Calm,” “Fly like a Butterfly” and more, Bari’s songs and activities are enjoyed by thousands of children every day.

Betsy Diamant Cohen
Listen, Like, Learn: Using Musical Activities to Build Self-Esteem, Self-Regulation, and Other School Readiness Skills

Betsy Diamant Cohen

Listen, Like, Learn: Using Musical Activities to Build Self-Esteem, Self-Regulation, and Other School Readiness Skills

Session Description:
Learn how to turn simple rhymes and songs into opportunities for helping children develop self-esteem, self-regulation, and school readiness skills across all of the domains. Participate in nursery rhyme activities that strengthen executive function by focusing on the healthy development of the WHOLE child. Discover how findings from brain research can be translated into a practical application of musical activities for children in classrooms, childcare settings, public library programs, parenting groups, drug rehabilitation facilities, and children’s hospital wards. Easy to learn, easy to use, and easily adaptable to, the “Listen, Like, Learn” approach and activities can be tailored to fit the needs of any educator working with children.

Betsy’s Bio:
Experience working in public libraries, children’s museums, home daycares, and a preschool gives Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen a unique perspective on children’s learning. A children’s librarian with a doctorate in communications design, she combines the understanding that children learn best through play and that the earliest years are the most important for brain development with belief in the right of all children to be the best they can be. Betsy is the creator of the Mother Goose on the Loose© early literacy program, Mother Goose on the Loose: Goslings© for parents with babies in neonatal intensive care units, and Mother Goose on the Loose: Hatchlings for expectant parents and parents with newborns.©  A prolific writer, creative thinker and charismatic presenter recognized for “revolutionizing the way story times are presented to young children at libraries across the country.” Betsy offers in-person and on-line trainings, conference presentations, and consulting. Visit her website at www.mgol.net!

Dr. Brian Mowry
Supporting and Extending Children’s Mathematical Learning through Exploration, Construction, and Dramatic Play

Dr. Brian Mowry

Supporting and Extending Children’s Mathematical Learning through Exploration, Construction, and Dramatic Play

Session Description:
Play provides an authentic and engaging context for children to accomplish important cognitive and linguistic milestones at their own developmental pace. As children play, they are meeting academic standards that address numeracy, algebra, measurement, and geometric and spatial reasoning while also developing 21st century skills, such as problem solving, communication, collaboration, imagination, and creativity. While dramatic play supports language and cognitive development, exploratory and construction play provide a natural segue to learning associated with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) integration. The presenter will review empirical research and theory informed through a Vygotskian lens on how children develop language, social emotional and cognitive skills through play. Participants will make practical connections to theory by learning ways to scaffold and guide children in productive, self-selected exploratory and pretend play scenarios that integrate literature and games with the knowledge and skills related to mathematics.

Pre-Conference Session: Diving Deeper into Math
Learn instructional strategies that are the foundation and essential components of an intentional, developmentally appropriate early childhood mathematics curriculum. Activities that teach classification, patterning and spatial temporal reasoning provide requisite forerunner skills preschoolers need to be successful in the domains of geometry, algebra, measurement, and data analysis. The presenter will share resources and suggestions for incorporating children’s literature to enhance instruction and math centers.

Brian’s Bio:
Dr. Brian Mowry is a contributing author of various curriculums and assessment tools, including Frog Street Pre-K and the AIM Observational Assessment. He has presented at several national and local conferences, focusing on topics in Mathematics, STEAM, Dual Language Learners, play, and Developmentally Appropriate Practices. Before joining the Frog Street Team, Dr. Mowry worked in the Austin Independent School District as a bilingual pre-school and kindergarten teacher and as a K-5 math and early childhood instructional specialist and administrator.

Carrie Aitkenhead
Math, and Reading, and Social-Emotional Learning! Oh my! Cross-Curricular Crafts for the Classroom

Carrie Aitkenhead

Math, and Reading, and Social-Emotional Learning! Oh my! Cross-Curricular Crafts for the Classroom

Session Description (Make & Take):
Follow your yellow brick road and let this session take you across the curriculum with items and ideas that will help you get the most out of every lesson or learning activity. Make the ordinary, extraordinary! Take everyday craft supplies and transform them into magical classroom tools. There will be no place like your classroom when your munchkins interact with these engaging, educational hands-on activities.

This session is co-presented with Angela French.

Carrie’s Bio:
Carrie is a Product Development and Content Manager at Excelligence Learning Corporation for the brands Discount School Supply, Really Good Stuff, and Steve Spangler Science. She is a Connecticut State Certified Educator and member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children with over seventeen years of experience in multiple areas of education including public school, private school, special education, and outdoor supplementary education working with children from preschool to high school.

Carrie is a certified Master Gardener and loves to spend her free time in her yard growing food and flowers or playing cornhole and relaxing with her husband, her two kids, and her dog.

Christi Gonzales
There's No Place Like Home When Using H.O.T.S !

Christi Gonzales

There's No Place Like Home When Using H.O.T.S !

Session Description:
Do you have the H.O.T.S. for Nursery Rhymes? Let’s fill our students’ minds with great Higher Order Thinking questions that can measure learning and actively engage our students while learning Nursery Rhymes and stories. In Early Childhood, many teachers utilize yes/no questions; however, answers to those questions cannot be measured to observe if learning is taking place. Let’s raise the standards for our students by engaging them in effective communication by increasing their vocabulary and creativity and to nurture and foster their environment that’s conducive for comprehension and retention.

Christi’s Bio:
Christi Gonzales is an accomplished Early Interventionist and Title -1 Pre-K / SPED & High School Sped Teacher with 28 years of experience and a Louisiana Pathways Approved Trainer. In 2016-2017, Christi received the Louisiana Council for Exceptional Children’s Special Education Teacher of the Year Award. Presently she serves on the La. Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council and the La. Dept. of Education’s Special Advisory Panel as an advocate for children. Christi served as Louisiana’s Early Childhood Association State Board District 4 representative for the past 15 years and during that time authored various articles for the LAECA Collaborations Journal. She is active in Delta Kappa Gamma Teacher’s Society as the 1st Vice President. Currently, she is the Sponsor of Interact, Octagon, and Key Clubs (Community Service Clubs), Sponsor of the Class of 2023, and started the 1st Student Organ Donor Advocates Club (SODA) in the state of Louisiana at New Iberia Senior High School. She is also the founder of a new non-profit organization, “New Iberia Autism Crew.” The organization advocates, fundraises, and spreads awareness of Autism in Iberia Parish to assist students, families, and educators.

 

Claudia Castillo-Magallanez
Let's Play: Fun Literacy Activities for Preschoolers

Claudia Castillo-Magallanez

Let's Play: Fun Literacy Activities for Preschoolers

Session Description:
Although we know that the importance of building a strong foundation for later reading is literacy, literacy is more than just that. It also includes how children interpret and understand what is being read to them, writing skills and composition. The key to instilling a love of learning in little ones is by disguising it with plenty of fun and joyful activities. We know that little ones love to play, so why not leverage that playtime for learning? Join us as we jump out of the box and into a world of fun activities to engage little ones in literacy skills.

Claudia’s Bio:
Claudia Castillo-Magallanez is a Professional Learning Bilingual Specialist with Frog Street and an Adjunct Faculty at San Antonio College. She has 26 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field, obtaining a Master of Education in Early Childhood with Bilingual Specialization from Texas A&M University. Claudia began her career as a parent volunteer and soon after moved into the classroom where she served as a teacher, teaching monolingual and bilingual children ages birth to 5 years of age. She also served as a coach and mentor, supporting teachers who implemented the Frog Street Curriculum. Her career experience includes administrating a Head Start program serving over 3,000 children and their families, making data-informed decisions, and managing a multimillion dollar grant. Claudia is certified as a Train the Trainer for CLASS Toddler and Infant, Toddler, and PreK CLASS observer, which is an attribute used in many of her presentations and coaching. Claudia holds a Family Service Credential and is a Master Registered Trainer in the state of Texas. She served as the President for the San Antonio Chapter of TXAEYC. Claudia believes that lifelong learning is the key to honoring her skills and knowledge to in turn share with others. Claudia is an advocate for high-quality early childhood education and a support for Early Childhood Educators, children, and families.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debbie Clement
The ARTS Turn STEM into STEAM!

Debbie Clement

The ARTS Turn STEM into STEAM!

Session Description:
Use the ARTS to put the STEAM into your STEM explorations. Join nationally award-winning Author/Illustrator Debbie Clement as she shares her uniquely STEM-driven songs and dances and then takes them one step further by infusing them with an Art-rich response! Sing your way into Science and use Technology to expand your classroom. Sticky notes are turned into an exercise in Engineering while Math will be explored through the inherent patterns within Music! Weave a STEAM approach into every day. “See the world through STEAM-colored glasses.” “Mighty Wings” (Monarch butterflies) makes its Frog Street DEBUT!

Debbie’s Bio:
Debbie Clement has over 25 years of experience as a “music-lady,” having written and recorded over 100 original songs for children. She is the author/illustrator of four traditional picture books based on her songs. She’s given three national keynotes. Debbie is changing the world one song at a time.

Dianne Patterson
Where Does Pre-K Fit in the Science of Reading?

Dianne Patterson

Where Does Pre-K Fit in the Science of Reading?

Session #1: Where Does Pre-K Fit in the Science of Reading?
Learn the foundations of the Science of Reading and the research-based strategies in early childhood education. From Alphabet Knowledge to the Alphabetic Principle and between, this session will identify and apply evidence basis for building successful readers by grade.

Session #2: A Framework for Emergent Writing Practices 
Educators can guide and nurture early writers as they establish a relationship between oral language and expressing their thoughts to convey messages with meaningful marks. This session will focus on strategies to nurture early writing with age-appropriate activities, based on current research in the field on emergent writing.

Pre-Conference: Diving Deeper into Literacy:
In the literacy session, participants specifically explore key predictors of early literacy development, including oral language, alphabetic knowledge, print awareness, comprehension, and written expression.

Dianne’s Bio:
Dianne Patterson is a National Early Childhood Consultant. Her teaching experience spans early childhood special needs, Prekindergarten, Head Start, primary grades and adult education. Her interactive presentations focus on intentional teaching strategies and early literacy acquisition. Dianne is an author of early childhood and English Language Learners curriculum. Her favorite things are travel and children – especially her four grandchildren!

Don Monopoli
All Aboard For Early Learning

Don Monopoli

All Aboard For Early Learning

Session Description:
This fascinating, uplifting musical presentation engages participants in a magical, super-charged sensory explosion that will open your eyes. Revive and rejuvenate as you explore the tremendous value and benefits of interactive music and movement. You’ll sing, dance, laugh and become more motivated than ever! Get up and move!

Don’s Bio:
Don Monopoli is the leading presenter, songwriter, performer and YouTube personality for The Learning Station. Their content is founded upon “Healthy Music for a Child’s Heart, Body and Mind.” New action, dance and learning videos for kids are uploaded weekly to YouTube. Don has written over 500 children’s songs since 1985 and has toured mostly in the U.S. with nearly 5,000 presentations since 1986.

Esmeralda Aguirre
Pre-Coding: Computational Thinking in the Early Childhood Classroom

Esmeralda Aguirre

Pre-Coding: Computational Thinking in the Early Childhood Classroom

Session Description:
In the same way there are pre-reading and pre-writing skills, there are foundational skills that help students develop coding abilities before they program a robot or even code on a screen. We will go through a series of short Computational Thinking activities in which students as young as Pre-Kindergarten age develop a truer sense of what coding is about, broadening their perspective as they become not only technology users but technology innovators.

Esmeralda’s Bio:
Born in Mexico, Esmeralda Aguirre grew up between her mother’s bakery/convenience store and her father’s art studio/workshop, where applied learning was always present. In her mother’s convenience store she gained a passion for mathematics through real-life experiences such as weighing produce, memorizing prices (as there were no scanners back then), knowing how much to charge and how much change to give—activities that were always games to her.

In 2006 Esmeralda and her husband Omar, who is a software developer, moved to Dallas, where she started working for DISD as a Pre-K teacher. Through the years, she has taught PK-2nd grade and Gifted and Talented. She was later invited to present summer trainings for the Early Childhood Department and a few months later interviewed for a position as a Pre-K Instructional Specialist. In this position, she had the opportunity to gain a plateau of knowledge from teachers, students, co-workers, workshops, and conferences.

For one of her husband’s master’s classes from the Georgia Institute of Technology, they developed a program to teach pre-coding skills to 4-year-olds in urban classrooms. These activities were tested in some Pre-K and SPED classrooms in DISD with great results.

A year ago, Esmeralda and Omar made the decision to move to Tucson, AZ so they could be closer to their family in Mexico as well as their goddaughter Rebecca who is four and in her first year of school. Esmeralda is always on the lookout for new information that can be applied in the Pre-K classroom and has now turned her sights to computer science where she believes students can excel academically if they are taught Computational Thinking Skills.

 

 

 

 

 

Ginger Galban
Every Interaction Counts in Early Childhood Education: A New Window into the Daylong Language Experience of Young Children

Ginger Galban

Every Interaction Counts in Early Childhood Education: A New Window into the Daylong Language Experience of Young Children

Session Description:
The link between educator-child interactions and quality care is well-established. In this session, we will explore an unprecedented dataset of more than 24,000 daylong audio recordings to answer two very important questions about quality in early childhood education: What is the current state of teacher-child interaction in early childhood education, and why does it matter?

Participants will be able to:
(1) explain what a conversational turn is and how it impacts brain development and later life outcomes.
(2) build awareness about the state of educator-child interactions in early childhood settings.
(3) further conceptual knowledge on conversational turns and how they relate to quality early learning experiences and children’s later life outcomes.
(4) reflect on how this research and data apply to their own communities and their own practices and identify concrete ways that they can increase interaction in early care settings.

Ginger’s Bio:
Ginger Galban is LENA’s Regional Partnership Director for the central region. She is passionate about supporting educators, children, families, and communities to help promote positive outcomes. She has worked in early childhood education and the publishing industry during her more than ten years of expertise in early childhood studies. Ginger has worked with community leaders, school district leaders, non-profits, head starts, and teachers to close opportunity gaps one community at a time.

Ginger received her B.S. in psychology at Tarleton State University. She also has her master’s degree in communications. She was born and raised in the Lone Star State, and you can find her at home in Cleburne, Texas, right now. In her leisure time, she enjoys assisting young people in caring for their goats and lambs, spending time with family, and traveling.

 

 

Greg Smedley-Warren
Happy Classrooms

Greg Smedley-Warren

Happy Classrooms

Session #1: #HappyClassrooms
This session is designed to be an inspirational message about the lessons our students teach us each day in the classroom.  In this uplifting message, Mr. Greg will share stories from his classroom and the lessons he has learned and how they can be implemented in other classrooms.  The #happyclassrooms is a way for teachers around the world to share positive experiences from their own classroom.  Mr. Greg will describe in detail the mission of this hashtag and how it relates to your teacher’s attitudes toward education and their classroom.

Session #2: A Smorgasbord of Math Strategies
Are you looking for ways to elevate your math instruction?  You will discover how to build math skills each day using an interactive calendar routine, math review, mental math, mini-lessons and small groups, and centers.  These strategies will help you meet the needs of your students while challenging them to build higher-order thinking skills and problem solving skills!

Session #3: Meeting Academic Requirements by Integrating Content and Art
How do you get away with doing art in your classroom every day?  The answer to this question is found in the many benefits of using art and creativity in your classroom.  See how to incorporate art that aligns with the standards and meets academic requirements for your content.  Learn many different types of art projects that can be easily done in your classroom

Greg’s Bio:
Mr. Greg has been teaching for 16 years. He spent a year teaching fifth grade, two years in second grade and is currently in his 13th year in Kindergarten, which is his calling. He plans to never leave the classroom, as the students are what drive him. He received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and received his ELL certification from David Lipscomb University. When not in the classroom, he enjoys spending time with his family, blogging, creating curriculum and sharing his classroom best practices with teachers via presentations and conferences online and in-person.

John Jacobson
It's a Musical World

John Jacobson

It's a Musical World

Session #1: It’s a Musical World
Explore the music, movement, and customs of countries around the world. Join John Jacobson for a feets-on workshop that will teach you how to travel the world with your students without ever leaving the classroom. Come learn songs, games and dances from around the country and around the world. Folk dances, line dances, classroom games and more. It is a musical world and the musical traditions of that world are a wonderful resource and outlet for any classroom and any age of student. Participants will join John in learning folk dances, party games and more.

Session #2: K-2 For You
Join John Jacobson and participate in classroom activities especially designed for K-2 classrooms and stages. This session features new materials addressing concepts of Beat, Rhythm, Melody, and more. There will also be an emphasis on songs that encourage feelings and behaviors reflecting empathy and cooperation in and out of the classroom.

John’s Bio:
John Jacobson is the author and composer of many musicals and choral works that have been performed by millions of children worldwide, as well as educational videos and tapes that have helped music educators excel in their individual teaching arenas. John has staged hundreds of huge music festival ensembles in his association with Walt Disney Productions and directed productions featuring thousands of young singers including NBC’s national broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, presidential inaugurations and more. He is also recognized internationally as a creative and motivating speaker for teachers and students involved in choral music education. John is the founder and volunteer president of America Sings! Inc., a non-profit organization that encourages young performers to use their time and talents for community service. He stars in children’s musical and exercise videotapes, most recently the series “Jjump! A Fitness Program for Children” and was the Senior Contributing Writer for John Jacobson’s Music Express Magazine. John’s book A Place In The Choir: Finding Harmony in a World of Many Voices is rapidly becoming a staple with music teachers worldwide.

 

 

Julie Fore
Pre-Coding: Computational Thinking in the Early Childhood Classroom

Julie Fore

Pre-Coding: Computational Thinking in the Early Childhood Classroom

Session Description:
In the same way there are pre-reading and pre-writing skills, there are foundational skills that will help students develop coding abilities before they program a robot or even code on a screen. We will go through a series of short Computational Thinking activities in which students as young as Pre-Kindergarten age develop a truer sense of what coding is about, broadening their perspective as they become not only technology users but technology innovators.

Julie’s Bio:
Julie Fore has served in education for 21 years; 12 years as a teacher, and 9 years as a Pre-K Instructional Specialist for the Early Learning Department in Dallas ISD. She currently leads a group of nine specialists who work exclusively with PreKindergarten teachers in Dallas ISD’s PreK Partnerships program. Julie resides in Terrell, TX with her husband, Greg, and their 2 chihuahuas.

 

 

 

 

Karma Wilson
Reason for Rhyme and Finding the Courage

Karma Wilson

Reason for Rhyme and Finding the Courage

Session #1: Reason for Rhyme
Participants will learn the importance of rhyme and how to effectively unlock its great potential in the classroom and beyond to grow the brain and the heart. Join Karma to get real-world ideas on forming a rhyming lesson plan, pairing books for maximum effectiveness, and tips on how to get children to memorize rhyme-a huge key to its success.

Session #2: Finding the Courage
Participants will join veteran storyteller Karma Wilson to learn how to make books stand out among the noise of the modern world competing for the attention of kids. The oral tradition has a powerful history and it can be just as powerful today if you understand how to not just read books to kids but make them come alive. But you might have to get a little crazy and step out of your comfort zone! As a plus, attendees will also get to hear great stories—including a sneak peak of an upcoming Bear book!

Karma’s Bio:
Karma Wilson is an internationally known best-selling writer of over 50 books for children including the Bear and Friends series (Bear Snores On, Bear Wants More, etc.) and stand-alone titles including Frog in the Bog, The Cow Loves Cookies, and many more. With over 20 years of experience writing for and presenting to children, Karma has a passion for bringing joy to the process of literacy for both children and educators. Karma lives with her husband Scott on a small homestead in rural Montana. When she’s not writing about whimsical woodland critters, she enjoys spending time in nature with her two grandchildren.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kassi Kincaid
Love of Literacy

Kassi Kincaid

Love of Literacy

Session Description:
This training will inspire a love of literacy in children by equipping early childhood educators and parents with the tools to bring classic children’s books to life through an event called Book Days: an event combining a theatrical experience with themed activities. The characters and plots are lifted off the pages and create physical elements that the children experience through multiple senses.

Kassi’s Bio:
Kassi Kincaid is the founder and program director of Book Days—a children’s literacy program focused on bringing books to life to encourage a love of reading in children. Fueled by her love of children’s literature, she brings books to life through theatrical performances and a variety of multisensory activities to encourage repetition and enlargement. In March 2019, Book Days got published in the peer-reviewed educational journal Early Years, the first of several publications to follow. In July 2020, Kassi launched a new sector of Book Days through a YouTube channel that pairs children’s books with real-world experiences. Over the years, the program has received recognition from corporations such as Whole Foods, Flex, and SeaWorld. In addition, as a Texas Registered Trainer, Kassi speaks at conferences all over the country, teaching early childhood educators how to do Book Days in their own classrooms.

 

 

Kristy Pinkney
Beyond Centers and Circle Time

Kristy Pinkney

Beyond Centers and Circle Time

Session Description:
Join me for an interactive workshop on the importance of play. Together we will create rich theme-based play environments and role-play how to facilitate the activities within a preschool setting. Participants will learn the benefits of play, how to create rich theme-based play experiences, how to scaffold the pre/post play, the 6 stages of play, how to introduce advance language, assessing children through play, and how to teach multiple subjects though play.

Kristy’s Bio:
Kristy Pinkney is very passionate about early childhood education, especially the use of theme-based hands-on learning. She comes with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of Early Childhood Education. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of education, including 12 years working for a Head Start/Early Head Start program, 8 years working as a manger or director in a leadership role, and over 15 years of experience working in the non-profit sector. Kristy has held many roles within Head Start/Early Head Start, including training specialist, training manager, director of professional development, and now Director of Education, Professional Development, and Training. She has a master’s in education with a specialization in ECE, as well as a BA in Early Childhood Education Administration.

 

 

 

Lauren Delgado
Utilizing Fine Motor Activities to “Build the Write Foundation” in the Pre-K Classroom

Lauren Delgado

Utilizing Fine Motor Activities to “Build the Write Foundation” in the Pre-K Classroom

Session Description:
Teachers will dig into the new Texas PreKindergarten guidelines as they explore hands-on materials for fine motor development and writing activities. Participants will leave empowered and motivated to begin implementing engaging and thematically aligned pre-writing/writing activities.

* This session is co-presented with Lori Sanchez.

Lauren and Lori’s Bios:
Lauren Delgado and Lori Sanchez are PreK instructional coaches with the Dallas ISD PreK Partnership School. This partnership supports 100+ teachers in childcare sites throughout the district. With over 1,300 students, it is one of the largest satellite schools of its kind in the state of Texas. The goal of the program is to provide high-quality instruction to students in childcare settings. They are passionate about encouraging young writers and promoting social-emotional learning by teaching the whole child.

Leslie Coleman
Investing in New Employees: Building Quality Teams through Quality Time

Leslie Coleman

Investing in New Employees: Building Quality Teams through Quality Time

Session Description:
Effective employee orientation is essential to any program’s success. Discover creative ways to enhance your program’s new employee orientation and onboarding procedures by focusing on the quality of the time spent with newly hired employees. This working session will allow participants time to reflect on current practices, network with colleagues, and redesign elements of their orientation plans.


Leslie’s Bio:
Leslie Coleman has been working with early childhood educators as a trainer and coach for over 20 years. She began her career in the classroom and then moved onto positions ranging from early intervention specialist, training content developer, and adjunct faculty member.

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa Maddox-Vinson
Leadership Lessons from Children’s Books

Lisa Maddox-Vinson

Leadership Lessons from Children’s Books

Session Description:
Come enjoy this journey that teaches lessons we all need to learn! Early reading ignites creativity, sparks curiosity, and stimulates the imagination of young children. This often leads to role-play as children grow, which helps develop other skills such as empathy, problem-solving, and morality.

Lisa’s Bio
Lisa Maddox-Vinson is very passionate about Early Childhood Education. For over 15 years, she was the Children’s Library Director for the LaVergne Public Library, ranked 5th in the nation for its children’s programs. Lisa was an Instructor at Austin Peay State University teaching Early Childhood. Lisa now works for Tennessee State University as the state’s Early Childhood Leadership Coordinator. Lisa presents at many national, state, and local conferences across America. Lisa has served and serves on several Early Childhood Advisory Boards. She is also the creator of the award-winning recording “Snap, Clap, Wiggle and Giggle.”

LJ Henderson
Stemtastic! Fun and Fantastic ways to Exceed State Guidelines/TEKS for STEM

LJ Henderson

Stemtastic! Fun and Fantastic ways to Exceed State Guidelines/TEKS for STEM

Session Description:
Participants will perform hands-on experiments and learn strategies to implement science into all aspects of their curriculum. Implementing STEM-focused activities enhances receptive and expressive language skills and develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills of future Scientists, Technologists, Engineers, and Mathematicians.

LJ’s Bio:
LJ Henderson has almost 30 years of experience in Education and Speech Therapy. La Sonja is a proud business owner, advocate, author, and speaker. She is a sought-after speaker and highly revered academic consultant in the educational system. La Sonja is the founder of Little STEM Academy, where she fosters high-quality learning processes building exposure that makes kids more innovative. She is also the creator of Little Stem Labkits, Lab in a box STEM lessons and experiments for children. She was recognized as a Living Legend in Education in 2018. In her career years, she has earned recognition by her peers as a top medical and wellness professional. She is an Amazon Best Selling author and wrote a children’s book about entrepreneurship for financial literacy.

Lj is a gifted and enthusiastic educator who offers professional development and training to educators worldwide, making a tremendous, positive impact in her community. She believes in enhancing the quality of early childhood education in her community and is set to leave a lifetime impression. When she’s not working in the early childhood centers, LJ spends her time speaking and working with non-profit organizations, event planning, and mentoring.

“Seeing Black people in STEM fields helps to set up the next generation for success and show up in career fields.” – LJ Henderson

 

 

Lori Sanchez
Utilizing Fine Motor Activities to “Build the Write Foundation” in the PreK Classroom

Lori Sanchez

Utilizing Fine Motor Activities to “Build the Write Foundation” in the PreK Classroom

Session Description:
Teachers will dig into the new Texas PreKindergarten guidelines as they explore hands-on materials for fine motor development and writing activities. Participants will leave empowered and motivated to begin implementing engaging and thematically aligned pre-writing/writing activities.

* This session is co-presented with Lauren Delgado.

Lori and Lauren’s Bio:
Lauren Delgado and Lori Sanchez are PreK instructional coaches with the Dallas ISD PreK Partnership School. This partnership supports 100+ teachers in childcare sites throughout the district. With over 1,300 students, it is one of the largest satellite schools of its kind in the state of Texas. The goal of the program is to provide high-quality instruction to students in childcare settings. They are passionate about encouraging young writers and promoting social-emotional learning by teaching the whole child.

 

 

 

 

 

Lyndsey Jackson
Data-Driven Decisions in Early Childhood Classrooms: Support & Practice to Develop Lifelong Learners

Lyndsey Jackson

Data-Driven Decisions in Early Childhood Classrooms: Support & Practice to Develop Lifelong Learners

Session Description:
Early childhood classrooms are the first step in our youngest learners’ educational journey. Developmentally appropriate practices and effective instruction determine a student’s learning trajectory. Early learning experiences also offer a plethora of data points on an individual learner’s learning style and personality and serve as the perfect intervention opportunity for our learners with diverse needs.

This session is designed to explore, examine and investigate the impact of data-driven decisions in early learning settings. We will identify collection opportunities and practices for data analysis. With foundational understanding, we will discuss current practices and the impact of utilizing student data to affect everyday instruction to impact student learning. We will share district practices that we currently employ in order to individualize student learning, provide student intervention and provide teacher development in our large district.

Lyndsey’s Bio:
Lyndsey J. Jackson, MSDE is a native of New Orleans, La. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Education of the Deaf from the University of Southern Mississippi (2007). She went on to receive her Master of Science in Deaf Education from Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine (2009). Educating young children with hearing loss is truly her passion and life’s work. For 12 years, Lyndsey was a preschool teacher of the deaf in the birth to 5 populations in the greater New Orleans area. Lyndsey currently serves as the Coordinator of Pre-K Instruction for Jefferson Parish Schools, where she is able to share her passion for early childhood education with over 170 Pre-K classrooms across the largest school district in Louisiana. In addition, Lyndsey is a teacher representative on the Louisiana Special Education Advisory Panel and serves on the Frog Street Press External Advisory Council. Lyndsey lives in New Orleans with her husband, Jedidiah.

 

 

 

 

 

Lynne Rhodes
There's No Place Like Home: Making Your Classroom a Home for All Students Through SEL

Lynne Rhodes

There's No Place Like Home: Making Your Classroom a Home for All Students Through SEL

Session Description:
Come join us as we travel down the Yellow Brick Road! We have a plethora of SEL ideas, suggestions, and techniques to make each and every student feel at HOME in your classroom–even the most difficult to reach!

* Lynn is co-presenting this session with Madison Rhodes.

Lynne’s Bio:
As a kindergarten teacher for 34 years, Lynne Rhodes, M.Ed., has been a Team Leader, Literacy Leader, Mentor Teacher, and named Teacher of the Year. She has presented at events in multiple states and has published lessons in four college-level textbooks. Lynne is a favorite at Frog Street Splash where she has been a presenter for 14 years and is still loving it!

Madison Rhodes
There's No Place Like Home: Making Your Classroom a Home for All Students Through SEL

Madison Rhodes

There's No Place Like Home: Making Your Classroom a Home for All Students Through SEL

Session Description:
Come join us as we travel down the Yellow Brick Road! We have a plethora of SEL ideas, suggestions, and techniques to make each and every student feel at HOME in your classroom–even the most difficult to reach!

* Madison is co-presenting this session with Lynn Rhodes.

Madison’s Bio:
Madison Rhodes is a 3rd generation teacher with five years of experience and five years presenting at Frog Street’s Splash conference! Madison is a team leader, curriculum writer, and lover of all things Early Childhood!

Maria Zepeda
Juego Guiado - Centros de aprendizaje

Maria Zepeda

Juego Guiado - Centros de aprendizaje

Session Description:
This session will be presented in Spanish, and it will focus on how to implement guided centers and workstations. This includes a dramatic play center, which gives students an opportunity to continue learning through play based on research conducted by Frog Street and intentional teacher practices in the classroom.

Esta sesión será presentada en español y se enfocará en como implementar centros de trabajo guiados, incluyendo el juego dramático, para que los estudiantes continúen aprendiendo mediante el juego basándose en estudios llevados a cabo por FrogStreet y prácticas intencionales de docentes en el aula.

Maria’s Bio:
Mrs. Maria Axinia Zepeda was born and raised in El Salvador. Mrs. Zepeda received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston-Downtown in Science. She also completed her Master of Education from Saint Thomas University in Houston.

Mrs. Zepeda has 35 years of experience in education with 18 years as a bilingual teacher. She has served students in different classroom settings and in different grade levels, from PreK through 4th grade.

Mrs. Zepeda started her career teaching PreK. After exploring other grade levels, she went back to the “basics” where education is elementary and the “basics” are essential for success.

On a personal note, Mrs. Zepeda has been married for over 40 years and has two adult children. She also has three incredible grandchildren.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Jo Huff
Storytellin' Time

Mary Jo Huff

Storytellin' Time

Session #1: Storytellin’ Time
Storytelling, story-making, story writing, props, music, and puppets create a logical connection for children. Add storyboards as visual literacy and invite children to be part of the world of words. Learn how to present on a storyboard with easy to make and use characters. Add a puppet on your hand, in your pocket, or create a puppet house, and you will challenge the imagination of all children. Mary Jo’s favorite new picture books are ready to be shared, along with activities to complement the adventure.

Session #2: The Nature Connection: Through the Eyes of a Child
Toddlers to school-age children will benefit from the connections with Stem, Steam, & Stream—introducing the attendees to the world of Mother Nature through the eyes of a child. New books, music, storyboard, and nature will be the focus of this presentation. It will develop imagination, creativity, critical thinking, and science and math skills. Technology in the world of ECE will be explored. The arts interact with children’s lives daily and reading is one of the most important gifts we can share with young children. BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS that explore the world of nature will be introduced and shared.

Mary Jo’s Bio:
Mary Jo Huff is a storyteller, author, song writer and Early Childhood educator. Her work has received a NAPPA gold, iParenting, Parent’s Choice, Dove, Teacher’s Choice, Kid’s First awards, and Mom’s Choice and “Storytelling for Kids!” was awarded CD of the year by Creative Child Magazine. Mary Jo travels nationally doing workshops with teachers and librarians. Her school visits for children Pre-K to 5th grade are always filled with language, puppets and music. She has been published by Frog Street, Gryphon House, and Monday Morning along with many magazine articles for national publications.

Melody Dunn
Let's Play: Fun Math Activities for Preschoolers

Melody Dunn

Let's Play: Fun Math Activities for Preschoolers

Session Description:
We know about the importance of building a strong mathematical foundation in the early years. The key to instilling a love of learning in preschoolers is by disguising it with plenty of fun and joyful activities. We know that little ones love to play, so why not leverage that playtime for learning? Join us as we jump out of the box and into a world of fun activities that will develop mathematical skills.

Melody’s Bio:
Melody Dunn received her degree from Grambling State University and a master’s degree from Grand Canyon University in Curriculum and Instruction. Melody is a dynamic, early childhood advocate with a passion for training, coaching, and providing engaging diverse professional development opportunities that grow and stretch educators. She believes teachers should model their love of learning. Melody’s philosophy on early childhood is to provide high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and engaging activities that meet the needs of ALL children.

Melody is one of Frog Street’s Professional Learning Specialists. She has 20 years of experience that spans from Early Childhood to 4th grade and she is also an Infant, Toddler, and Pre-K Certified CLASS Observer. As a teacher, Melody implemented Frog Street curriculum with three- and four-year-old students. Eventually, as an Early Childhood Specialist, she supported administrators, teachers, and students across 15 campuses with creating high-quality early childhood classrooms. This support included providing professional development to administrators, teachers, and parents; assisting campuses with the implementation of district-wide instructional strategies; and evaluating student assessment data to inform district-level strategies for improving outcomes of early childhood students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monica Cordoba
Let's Play: Fun Literacy Activities for Preschoolers

Monica Cordoba

Let's Play: Fun Literacy Activities for Preschoolers

Session Description:
Although we know that the importance of building a strong foundation for later reading is literacy, literacy is more than just that. It also includes how children interpret and understand what is being read to them, writing skills and composition. The key to instilling a love of learning in little ones is by disguising it with plenty of fun and joyful activities. We know that little ones love to play, so why not leverage that playtime for learning? Join us as we jump out of the box and into a world of fun activities to engage little ones in literacy skills.

Monica’s Bio:
Monica Cordoba is lifelong learner who serves as a Professional Learning Bilingual Specialist for Frog Street Press. With over 16 years in early childhood education, her career includes teaching, coaching, mentoring, and training teachers. Monica is a certified Toddler and PreK CLASS observer who has contributed to the development and facilitation of countless workshops in all areas of Early Childhood, including classroom coaching with teachers. Her degree of Interdisciplinary Studies is from Texas A&M University with a post-grad degree in Educational Administration. She strives to provide educators with effective resources and solutions to provide joyful classrooms where students are successful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paola Salcedo
Encouraging and Supporting Teachers and Students through challenging times

Paola Salcedo

Encouraging and Supporting Teachers and Students through challenging times

Session Description:
Schools and educational facilities can ensure optimal development and learning by creating a School Family where children feel safe, experience a sense of belonging, and are inspired to learn. This School Family is built by consistently and intentionally modeling routines, rituals, and structures, and increases connections between adults and children. These connections provide a sense of safety through challenging times.

Paola’s Bio:
Paola Salcedo is an award-winning teacher specializing in Early Childhood and Bilingual Education with over 15 years of experience in the classroom. She has worked as a Conscious Discipline coach at a Title I school in Houston ISD since 2015, where she has successfully implemented bilingual parent involvement programs. Paola is currently a School Counselor in Klein ISD. A mother of four, she experiences the successes and challenges of the Conscious Discipline journey firsthand at home and at school.

Prerna Richards
Somewhere over the rainbow: Raising children to be smart, confident and kind

Prerna Richards

Somewhere over the rainbow: Raising children to be smart, confident and kind

Session #1: 5 Strategies for Shifting from Compliance to Connections
Many preschools are seeing an increase in challenging behaviors in their programs leading to disrupted academic learning and a high staff turnover. Many teachers are struggling with pushback and defiance from the students and feeling overwhelmed. In this session, I will share 5 effective, simple, and practical strategies to turn things around! We will discuss the differences between being relationship vs. supervision based, the importance of introducing social-emotional vocabulary, and providing opportunities for students to master lifelong skills such as self-control, impulse control, and self-regulation to improve focus, attention, and increased cognitive development.

Session #2: Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Raising Children to be Smart, Confident, and Kind
We all want to raise children who are confident, successful, compassionate, kind, creative, calm, imaginative, problem solvers and the list can go on, but how do we get there? Why are some children thriving and exhibiting qualities like resilience, persistence, and tenacity, and others barely surviving? Believe it or not, a lot has to do with the social-emotional foundation laid during the early years of life. In this session, we will discuss the effects of stress, brain states (survival, emotional, and executive), mindset, developing trusting relationships and the link between social-emotional and cognitive learning.

Prerna’s Bio:
Prerna Richards is the CEO and founder of Together We Grow, an organization providing consulting, coaching and professional development to childcare centers and schools. Prerna has over 30 years of experience working in the field of early childhood education. She is available for a free consultation for your center.

Sarah Scrivens
Social Emotional Learning: Positive Guidance & Discipline in an Early Childhood Setting

Sarah Scrivens

Social Emotional Learning: Positive Guidance & Discipline in an Early Childhood Setting

Session Description:
This session provides educators with the techniques and tools to develop purposeful social emotional learning in their classrooms. Educators learn appropriate ways to encourage, establish, and grow the following skills: self-concept, self-regulation, relationships with others, and social awareness. Educators will learn age appropriate ways to positively guide and teach children. We will refer to the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines as well as the Texas Infant, Toddler, and Three-Year-Old Early Learning Guidelines.

Sarah’s Bio:
Sarah Scrivens has over 15 years of diverse experience in the education field. She has served as an early childhood consultant, preschool director, and classroom teacher. For the past three years, Sarah has provided educators across the nation with professional development and instructional coaching. Sarah is passionate about spreading the importance of early childhood education.

 

Stephen Fite
Engaging Children with Music and Movement

Stephen Fite

Engaging Children with Music and Movement

Session Description:
This participatory Stephen Fite presentation will give teachers a new perspective on using music with children.  He will offer them unique, user-friendly ideas that will help them engage and focus their children with lots of movement, a little imagination and tons of fun and excitement. Stephen will also sprinkle in some discussion on how music affects the brain and aids in Generative Learning, as well as how “chunking” helps us retain information through the aid of a song.

Stephen’s Bio:
Stephen is an award-winning musician/writer whose albums have received 18 nationally recognized honors. Suitable for the classroom, car or living room, his upbeat brand of children’s music spans the spectrum from Rock to Reggae, Pop to Blues, Dixieland and many other styles. His songwriting and recordings span nearly three decades with 17 CDs and 1 Concert DVD as testament to his work in Early Childhood. Those years of work have led him to one undeniable conclusion: children learn best when they are moving and actively involved. That belief is his daily focus and prime motivation for creating and producing tunes that do just that: let children move.

Steve Spangler
STEM for Little Sprouts – Connecting Science with Children’s Literature

Steve Spangler

STEM for Little Sprouts – Connecting Science with Children’s Literature

Session Description (Make & Take):
Early childhood educators know that getting children excited about science is only part of the challenge. Today’s young learners need more than excitement and motivation – they need opportunities to actually DO more science on a daily basis.

Get ready for Steve Spangler to turbo-charge your sense of wonder and get your creative ideas flowing as he shares his best practices from classroom-tested activities that teach and motivate children to really do science.

Throughout the presentation, Steve explores a variety of techniques and presentation ideas for connecting science with popular children’s literature. Explore great science ideas that encourage children to “play with a purpose.” Learn how to use storyline elements to teach and reinforce fundamental building blocks of your science curriculum. You will uncover the secrets of developing your own unique presentation style that makes young learners want to learn more.

By the end of this session, you’ll be ready to create a collection of STEM experiences your scientists will never forget.

Steve’s Bio:
Millions of parents blame Steve Spangler for stains on their kitchen ceiling because of his famous Mentos and Diet Coke experiments. Steve is an Emmy award-winning television host and STEM educator who finds the most creative ways to make learning fun. His videos on social media have more than one billion views and his best-selling books and science kits are used around the globe to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Learn more at SteveSpangler.com or follow him on social – @stevespangler

 

Tanitta Clark
The HOW and WHY When It Comes to Curriculum Fidelity

Tanitta Clark

The HOW and WHY When It Comes to Curriculum Fidelity

Session Description:
This session shows teachers and administrators what it means to implement a curriculum with fidelity. It includes tips for implementing Curriculum with Fidelity and how closely your program applies curriculum content and processes as designed and the keys to ensuring interactions and activities that result in children’s learning outcomes and school readiness. This session will look at the tools and structure needed to establish a system for monitoring implementation.

Tanitta’s Bio:
Tanitta Clark is an Early Childhood professional and administrator with 20+ years of experience empowering adults caring for children. She has provided coaching and training for 500+ educators and presented 200+ workshops for Early Education programs in San Diego. Her specializations are adult learning theories, Developmentally Appropriate Practice, CLASS observer, ECERS calibrated, and Teaching Pyramid Social Emotional Competence. She also has a demonstrated history and knowledge of working in the non-profit organization management industry. With a Master of Education (M.ED.) focused on Curriculum and Instruction, Tanitta enjoys building strong relationships with educators in the field of Early Childhood Education. As an HS Education Coordinator, you must be a flexible team member with strong communication skills. As a Self-motivated individual, she prides herself as a grandmother of 5 and married for 15 years.

Tanitta is co-presenting this session with Analiza Laguitan

Tymothy Smith
Conscious Discipline: Building your School Family in an Early Education Program

Tymothy Smith

Conscious Discipline: Building your School Family in an Early Education Program

Session Description:
This fun and exciting session is specifically for early education and licensed childcare pro-grams.  Come learn how to build your school family and transform your culture using the Conscious Dis-cipline powers and skills.

Tym’s Bio:
Tym Smith began working in the Early Childhood Development field in 1986. Over the past 15 years, Tym has spent over 5,000 hours training staff and management across the country at local and national conferences. Tym is the owner of five early education programs in Texas and is a two-term past president of the Texas Licensed Child Care Association. Tym is a member of the Texas Trainers Registry and currently serves on the board of directors for the Association for Early Learning Leaders. Tym is also a Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor.

REGISTER FOR SPLASH 2023 TODAY!

Splash 2023 offers early childhood educators the chance to reconnect, revive and be inspired to start the new school year strong! Don't miss out on one of the most engaging conferences of the year, register today!

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