OUR AWESOME LINEUP

These world-class experts have the best tips, tricks, and strategies to help you build a thriving, profitable childcare business or preschool ministry. Each of these speakers normally charge consulting rates from $300-2,000 an hour. We say this not to impress you, but to show you the value of what they will share with you. Get ready to level up!

Matt Amoia

Matt Amoia is a long-time technology executive, team-builder, and serial entrepreneur. Matt has been a key executive tasked with transforming companies of all sizes and shapes, for some of the world’s leading technology investors who combined represent $130B AUM and 170 portfolio companies. After scaling his last company from $5M to $100M, he joined the childcare industry as CEO of ChildcareCRM in 2019. Matt enjoys sharing the stories and key learnings that have helped build high-performing teams and award-winning cultures for over 12 years.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Business Structure; Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization; Operational Efficiency; Operations Management

How many different products does it take to run your childcare business? If you’re like most childcare centers, you rely on six or more products. It’s an expensive, time-consuming, and inconvenient approach for staff and families. Plus, it makes it nearly impossible to monitor performance across your entire business. In this presentation, discover how to: – Manage your entire family journey with less work – Increase retention among enrolled families and staff – Automate necessary but time-consuming tasks for your staff – Improve performance across your business – Get more time back in your day to focus on what matters most

Martin Bing

In 2006 Martin identified a need for an online tool that multisite and franchise organizations could use to measure consistency and share information. The resulting software – based on digitized checklists – was named 1Place and was soon helping childcare and fast-food franchises manage compliance across their various sites, providing visibility for head office management and franchisors to monitor their department and franchisee operations. Today, 1Place has found a niche servicing multi-site childcare businesses in New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization; Operational Efficiency; Operations Management

Why checklists are so important and how you can leverage them for better compliance and best practice in your childcare operation.

Vice President of Stretch-n-Grow International

Megan Bowling

You could say Megan has been involved with early childhood education before she was even born. Her parents, Bob and Jill Manly founded Stretch-n-Grow when Jill was pregnant with her in 1992. Jill recognized the lack of structured physical education for preschoolers and pioneered the preschool physical education industry. Thirty years later, Megan and her sister Amanda operate Stretch-n-Grow International home office, and Megan also directs her own Stretch-n-Grow franchise in St. Petersburg, FL. Megan is very passionate about helping childcare centers recognize enrichment programs as a valuable resource. When she is not assisting affiliates around the world, she is working with childcare directors in her area and managing her team of coaches.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Business Structure; Child Growth and Development; Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization; Learning Environments; Operational Efficiency; Operations Management

The goal of this training is for preschool directors and owners to learn what a valuable resource enrichment programs are for them!

Beth Cannon

Beth Cannon is an international speaker, educator and entrepreneur known for her passion for engaging leaders and inspiring teams. With 25+ years of experience in the education and business spaces, she is known for her niche in creating and teaching strategies and solutions through live or virtual experiences and retreats, and most recently…a digital course creator. In addition to leading thousands of educators each year through her professional development trainings, Beth leads a team of 40+ entertaining early educators through enrichment programs serving preschools and childcare centers – Stretch-n-Grow. She created the New Business Training Program and the Youth Fitness Certification for Stretch-n-Grow, International, and supports affiliates worldwide through curriculum and education. Beth has a Bachelors degree in Communications + Education Certification from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Business Structure; Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization; Human Resource Leadership; Operational Efficiency; Operations Management; Professional Development and Leadership

Ready to simplify your training and retain new hires with ease?
Inside this training, you will learn:

1. The reason why your binder is actually NOT the best way to train new hires– and how YOU can make the switch from reading your manual to new hires to creating online training modules… even if you’re tech allergic!

2. The set-and-forget system I use for converting your paper manual to online modules– I’ll give you my frameworks and workflows to add hours to your week! You can’t afford to keep getting this wrong; it is costing you way TOO MUCH!

3. The proven tools you can use to cut your new hire training in HALF– AND set them up for long-term success from day 1!

Speaker | Trainer | Entrepreneur
Beth Cannon Speaks | Leader's Lounge

Multi-Site Child Care Business Owner, Consultant, & Digital Content Creator

Dani Christine

Dani Christine Child care business owner, consultant, & creator Dani has been in the child care industry for a decade. After gaining valuable experience as a babysitter and preschool teacher, she opened her first child care businesses in 2014. Years of operating a multi-site child care business and sharing her tips and techniques with providers around the world on her digital platform, YouTube.com/DaniChristine, lead Dani to expand her brand in 2019 and launch her consulting agency, Dani Christine, Inc. In addition to providing support for aspiring and new child care business owners, Dani uses the childcaresites.com platform to offer helpful resources for child care professionals.

Ever wish you could guarantee every household in your area knows about your business? Have you ever wondered how other companies promote their business through the mail? This session helps you understand how Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) works and how easy it is for you to do it!

Noelle D'Intino

Noelle D’Intino, Chief Executive Officer of ScribbleTime and Early Education Business Operations Coach, had graduated from Worcester State University with her degree in Speech and Language Pathology but didn’t love her field so she entered the corporate banking world. There she spent 13 years focusing on operations, human resources, finance, and strategic planning in her final role as Director of Administration for the Corporate & Investment Bank. In 2004, Noelle was laid off after a merger, and partnered with her sister Sarah, who was graduating with her degree in Early Education, to open ScribbleTime A Center For Early Learning. A leader in their community, ScribbleTime offers care and education for 114-student with their incredible teaching team of 30. In 2008, Noelle took her passions of business and operating a child care center and began sharing her resources and tools with child care center directors throughout the country under The Director’s Club. The Club offers child care center directors quick access to resources they can use today to implement anything from Money, Administration, and People through digital and live workshops and monthly membership. During the pandemic, ScribbleTime grew again and is now offering thematic sensory playdough through their new venture, The Break Box. Noelle has gone on to obtain her second bachelor's degree in Early Education. When Noelle is not working she loves spending time with her husband Michael, daughter Gabby, and their two cats Lucky and Nala.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization; Human Resource Leadership; Operational Efficiency; Operations Management

Finding teachers is hard enough, so when you do get one to say YES, let's onboard her in a way that increases how long she stays with your center! The key is connection. I'm going to walk you through 12 done for you steps to onboard your next new teacher and increase retention by 84% at your center!

Brian & Carol Duprey

Brian and Carol Duprey are two of the world’s leading experts on child care expansion, profitability, and mindset. Together, they have opened and operated ten child care centers in the last 25 years. Brian and Carol are the founders of Child Care Genius, Child Care Genius University, and are hosts of the Child Care Genius Podcast. Together they have coached tens of thousands of child care owners around the world to increased profitability through their courses, training, coaching, and podcast. They can be reached via info@childcaregenius.com

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Business Structure

In this presentation, Brian and Carol give a glimpse of their best-selling book, Advanced Child Care Business Strategies: Secrets to Profitability, Expansion, and Wealth Creation.

Veronica Green

Veronica Green is an Early Childhood Consultant & Mentor with 10 years of experience in the early years profession nurturing children from infancy to school age through play. She is the founder of Cultivating Confidence – Early Years Consultancy where she inspires Educators from all over the world through her blog and resources to bring the magic of loose parts into their settings, changing our perspectives on behavior with collaborative strategies & curating learning environments that are filled with wonder and curiosity. Veronica offers a variety of opportunities for professional development for teams and ECE's online and locally in Winnipeg, MB, is a keynote speaker and is an executive member of Manitoba Reggio. She is a lifelong learner and an advocate of children who are differently wired. Can learn more about Veronica and all that she offers at www.cultivatingconfidence.ca

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Child Growth and Development

Embracing loose parts play into your setting is exciting but with this can also come the fears of the mess and constant moving about of items. In this session, you’ll develop a loose parts play mindset that will take the not so boring theory and connect it to your practice in ways that will create more opportunities for child led learning that involves deep engaged play. You’ll discover true child led learning and how the theory of loose parts play will support you to respond to the many interests of children.

Educator | Teacher Mentor | Entrepreneur

Adva Hanan

Adva is an early childhood educator with almost a decade of experience teaching inside the classroom, in administration as an education coordinator and a camp director. She has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Education and a master's degree in education. She has specializations in Special Education and Educational Leadership. Adva also runs her own small business where she helps mentor and support new and struggling teachers inside their classrooms and provides professional development programs. Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Child Growth and Development; Professional Development and Leadership

Creating a work/life balance can feel close to impossible as a new or struggling educator. Balance has always been looked down upon because of the expectations that are put on a classroom teacher. Let's create that change. Let's find a balance that gives teachers the ability to be incredible educators while also loving what life has to offer.

Maryann "Mar." Harman

Maryann “Mar.” Harman has a BA in Music, Level I Orff Certification and MA Ed. She’s the founder of the internationally respected Music with Mar. brain based music program. Her passion is combining brain research with music to help children in all areas of development. She’s written songs for Dr. Becky Bailey and Kaplan and won two Parents’ Choice Awards, John Lennon Songwriting Award and other National Awards. Her songs are musically/educationally sound as well as easy to use. Her 40 yrs of classroom experience ranges from early childhood through college and adult education as well as working for Johns Hopkins Early Steps Program. Her use of the latest brain research in her recordings and workshops makes her a sought out Keynote speaker for a number of states, national and international organizations. Music with Mar. gives children the gift of music while using it as a tool to enhance skills.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Child Growth and Development; Responsive Interactions and Guidance

Repeatedly, research has shown that music is the only activity that utilizes the entire brain. Combining that with knowing that the early years are the ones where we make the most difference, this workshop demonstrates through movement and activity how to use music to build brains to create children that are competent, capable and confident.

Executive Director
Early Childhood Christian Network

Monica Healer

Monica is the Executive Director of the Early Childhood Christian Network. She has a broad range of experience in almost every level of early childhood education – from classroom teacher to administrator. She believes administrators and staff should be equipped with the latest research-based training available in order to provide the highest quality experience for young children in their first school exposure. Monica has a BBA from Texas Tech University in Management Information Systems.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Child Growth and Development; Responsive Interactions and Guidance

When children are melting down, what can we do? In this session, you'll gain some new tools to put in your toolbelt to help children come back to a place of calm in the middle of the storm of an ECE classroom.

Caroline Jens

Child Care Biz Help is the childcare industry’s premier consulting firm, offering customized, holistic solutions to help their partners run a more successful business. With a team comprised entirely of individuals with childcare backgrounds, they have the experience and expertise to provide solutions and insights that cannot be found anywhere else in the childcare industry. From internal work like streamlining operations and establishing procedures to external initiatives like recruitment efforts and brand development, Child Care Biz Help provides a full solution that touches every facet of a business. With customizable levels of involvement, Child Care Biz Help has extensive experience, both training organizations to implement a customized solution or coming into a business and doing the work for them. Led by innovative owner, Caroline Jens, Child Care Biz Help has a deep understanding of the current state of the childcare industry and a clear vision of where it is headed in the future.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Business Structure; Human Resource Leadership; Operational Efficiency; Operations Management; Professional Development and Leadership

Many of us would agree that child care has had a sort of hazy fog covering it over the last couple years. It’s time to remove that fog and reenergize every aspect of your school. This session will bring new light to what your employees need to keep them connected, engaged, and anchored to your company. This is a guaranteed winning strategy that will bring new energy into your school and ultimately, help you retain your staff.

Evelyn Knight

Evelyn specializes in helping leaders navigate the business and psychological overwhelm of managing child care programs while making sure the children always come first. Evelyn is the CEO and founder of Child Care Business Professionals which has helped hundreds of ECE leaders find success and relief internationally. As an engaging speaker and leading expert in Early Childhood Education, she is also the host of The Child Care Business Coach podcast and has been a successful child care center owner for over a decade. Evelyn navigated through being a full-time nurse to her terminally ill husband while still successfully running her two companies. She is passionate about elevating the ECE field and is leading the charge in the ECE Revolution!

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Business Structure; Child Growth and Development; Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization; Human Resource Leadership; Learning Environments; Operational Efficiency; Operations Management; Professional Development and Leadership; Responsive Interactions and Guidance

Are you OVERWHELMED? 🙋‍♀️ Do you feel like you are doing EVERYTHING in your Center? 🙋‍♀️ ALL the responsibilities fall on your shoulders? 🙋‍♀️ You wear ALL the hats? 🙋‍♀️ You are ALWAYS at your Center? 🙋‍♀️ Feel like you are married to the business? 🌟 There’s a SOLUTION to that! 🌟

Dr. Shira Leibowitz

Dr. Shira Leibowitz is founder and CEO of both Revabilities™ Educational Leadership Training Center and Discovery Village Childcare Center and Preschool. Prior to opening Revabiities™ and Discovery Village she spent 20 years as principal of Pre-K through eighth grade schools, and leading professional development for educators. Dr. Shira is on the faculty of Northeastern University's doctoral program in education. She is the author of The Coach Approach To School Leadership: Leading Teachers To Higher Levels of Effectiveness and Havens of Hope: Ideas For Redesigning Education From the COVID-19 Pandemic

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization; Learning Environments; Professional Development and Leadership; Responsive Interactions and Guidance

Learn how to energize your program to be more responsive to the needs of our students, our teachers, and our times. You'll discover ways of becoming far more impactful, while leading through the many challenges our field is facing, with a new approach to vision, mission, core values, and strategic planning.

Founder and CEO Revabilities™ Leadership Training Center and Discovery Village Childcare Center and Preschool

Vanessa Levin

Vanessa Levin is the creator of Pre-K Pages and a passionate advocate for equal access to high-quality early childhood education. With more than 20 years of classroom teaching experience, Vanessa encourages and supports early childhood educators around the world via her Teaching Trailblazers mentorship program. She is the author of Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Learning Environments

Do your students struggle to sit still during circle time? Do you wish they would listen to a story without constantly interrupting? Are you tired of reminding them to keep their hands to themselves? Having a successful circle time can make or break you as an early childhood teacher. Join Vanessa as she reveals fun, playful, and practical methods for transforming your circle time into a powerhouse of learning and fun.

Vernon Mason

Vernon Mason, Jr M.Ed. – Vernon has been called the trifecta of childcare. He grew up in an “in-home” program. As his company grew, he has been the owner-director of small, medium, and large programs. After 28.5 years, including a decade of multi-site ownership, he sold his schools to a large regional provider. Along the way, Vernon completed a Master's in Early Childhood, wrote a couple of books, and became a popular speaker. Today Vernon is Senior Vice President of Growth and Development for The Nest Schools. Author of: Don't Go! A practical guide for tackling employee turnover. Get Out! But before you go…..Practical steps to turn your Zero into a Hero or set them free! Both available on Amazon

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization; Operational Efficiency; Operations Management; Professional Development and Leadership

Get your mojo back! Being an early childhood leader or entrepreneur should be a gift, not punishment. Vernon will share practical steps to set you up for success and happiness, even in the most challenging times.

Author, Humorist, Inspiring Keynote Speaker and Workshop Trainer Extraordinaire

Melody McGuire

Melody McGuire has served young children, families, and communities as an Early Childhood Educator for over two decades. In her career, she has ensured to support quality early childhood education programs to the best of her ability in each role acquired and assigned. Affectionately known as “Ms. Melody” she can be found on all social media platforms under the alias and hashtag of “ECEwithMsMelody” because of her commitment to the field of early childhood education and care. She maintains a positive outlook on life and the opportunities that arise to make growth happen. After joining the Clubhouse Social App within one week she held a three-hour room titled the “Early Childhood Educators Circle Time” on Friday, January 1, 2021, and has not looked back. Within a week Ms. Melody applied for a club through the app and on Thursday, January 14, 2021, was granted permission. Ms. Melody's desire is to continue growing early childhood professionals through the group on a variety of platforms. Daily she provides inspirational words in a calming and humorous way for all to grow. After one session, you will experience why this group has over 6,000 members and is continuing to grow daily!

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Child Growth and Development; Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization; Responsive Interactions and Guidance

Discover the benefits of becoming a Nationally Accredited Childcare Program and get ready to set your mind to becoming a Top-tiered Early Childhood Educator!

Amanda Morgan

Amanda is passionate about aligning what we know about how children grow and learn with what we actually do in the classroom. She works to close the gaps that exist between academia, decision-makers, educators, and parents so that we can all work together to improve early childhood education – while also protecting and respecting the experience of childhood. She enjoys diving into data and research and using stories and relatable examples to make those details easily accessible and understood by every member of the educational community, so they can be applied where they matter most: with children. Amanda advocates for developmentally appropriate practice and the power of play by writing, speaking, podcasting, and creating resources on her site, Not Just Cute. Because childhood’s not just cute. It’s so much more. It’s powerful, it’s priceless, and for many children, it’s over way too soon.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Child Growth and Development

This keynote will tie together science and story as we explore the impact joy, enthusiasm, and playfulness have on the human brain and the learning environment. We’ll explore how and why we should cultivate and share joy as early childhood professionals. Participants will leave feeling lighter, happier, and ready to infuse their learning environments with one of the most powerful catalysts for learning and development.

Speaker, Trainer, Consultant, and Creator of Not Just Cute

Summer Picha

Summer picha has been in the ECE industry for 22 years. She holds an AMI Montessori teaching diploma from the Montessori Training Center of MN. She also holds an Associates degree in Liberal Arts as well as a Bachelor degree in Psychology. Summer’s most recent certifications include becoming a certified Positive Discipline classroom trainer as well as a Mad to Glad certified parent coach. Her passion for children and need for laughter fuel her dream job!

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Operations Management

Positive Discipline is all about getting your team on the same page when it comes to discipline philosophy. It’s time to teach your crew new skills when it comes to discipline. Discipline isn’t a 4-letter word.

Prerna Richards

Prerna Richards is a Keynote, international, national speaker, behavior coach and NAEYC consultant. She has been in the early childhood education field for the past 37 years. She is a registered master level trainer with the Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System. Her educational philosophy is grounded in a play-based approach along with a strong social-emotional foundation. She is the winner of the Susan Hargrave trainer of the year award from TXAEYC in 2020.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Child Growth and Development; Learning Environments; Professional Development and Leadership; Responsive Interactions and Guidance

Rethinking the early years and the role of educators. In this interactive and informative session, we will take a closer look at 5 specific strategies to empower the teachers on your team. We will discuss 1. The learning gap, 2. Importance of teaching and practicing SEL vocabulary such as co regulation, self-regulation, 3. the role of agency and ownership for the educators as well as the students, 4. Shifting the focus from policing to educating and 5. The power of connection before compliance. You will leave the session energized and motivated to lead your team in a renewed way.
– Many preschools are seeing an increase in challenging behaviors in their programs leading to disrupted academic learning and a high staff turnover. A large number of 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.

CEO/Founder Discovery Kidzone Business consultant Vision Tree

Rachel Supalla

Rachel Supalla is a National Child Care Business consultant and an Ambassador for the Association of Early Learning Leaders with over 25 years of child care experience. She is a multi-site child care center owner and founded Discovery KidZone in 2009 and owns five child care centers and continues to grow. Rachel has her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Administration. Rachel and her business have achieved many awards, including the 2020 Innovative Business of the Year. Top 20 professionals under 40 and Best Daycare in Helena. Rachel has developed an early childhood curriculum for infants through school age. She has a passion for mentoring and coaching fellow business leaders and teachers in the ECE field and does so through speaking, presenting, and training not only in her home state but also on a national stage. She is a local ECE advocate and has written and been awarded multiple grants.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Business Structure; Child Growth and Development; Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization; Human Resource Leadership; Learning Environments; Operational Efficiency; Operations Management; Professional Development and Leadership; Responsive Interactions and Guidance

Do you feel stuck and bogged down by the day to day? Are you using your skills to connect, collaborate and build culture? This session will teach you the three vital steps to building a culture of community and how that is going to pull you out of your rut and give you purpose to focus on your community growth.

Scott Wayman

Scott Wayman is the Founder and CEO of Kangarootime, the leading software for childcare centers. In 2015, as a young parent-guardian, Scott was inspired to create Kangarootime to bring efficiencies to childcare and to give childcare professionals the tools to scale their classrooms, automate their businesses and better communicate with the families they serve. When he’s not coming up with new ways to improve the world around him, he enjoys cycling, brewing beer, being a devoted husband, dog-lover and prankster.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Business Structure; Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization; Operational Efficiency; Operations Management; Professional Development and Leadership

Profitability, staffing costs, supply expenses, and tuition rates are all top-of-mind for center owners and directors. However, this important information along with insight into increasing revenue, optimizing enrollment, and growing your center often gets left behind. Kangarootime is working to introduce the concept of Center Economics to help center's understand their financial viability through benchmarking, data, and industry trends so they can put themselves in a better position financially. In doing so, they'll be able to focus on growing their center, connecting with families, and improving the quality of care. In this presentation, Scott Wayman, Founder & CEO of Kangarootime, will introduce the topic of Center Economics, explain current industry trends, best practices for your center, and more.

Nick Williams

Nick and his wife Jenna have owned and operated child care programs for over 20 years; they’ve had their fair share of ups and downs and understand how hard it can be to keepthat motivation going when times get tough. Eventually, they figured out how to grow and scale their business and wanted to help others around the world do the same. Back in 2017, they launched Childcare Business Growth and are now on a mission to help10,000 child care providers not just survive but thrive in this new world that we find ourselves living in. Over the last few years, they have worked with thousands of child care professionals around the world to transform their businesses, helping hundreds of owners go from the verge of bankruptcy to having a highly profitable business that allows them to spend more time doing the things they love. Nick’s area of expertise centers on marketing, standing out from the competition and automating your business to help buy back your valuable time.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies -Business Structure; Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization; Operational Efficiency; Operations Management; Professional Development and Leadership

When the world is recruiting – how do you make sure you don't just settle for anyone and you can maintain the same high quality standards you want and need for your team? Well listen up, I am going to share with you my key insights in to staff recruitment and how to stand out in the sea of competition and ensure you get the right A-Players for your business.

Chanie Wilschanski

Chanie Wilschanski, Host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast, is an Early Childhood Leadership Coach, CEO, and Founder of Schools of Excellence. Chanie has worked with hundreds of EC Directors and School Owners who are working to build a School of Excellence with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, and collaborative culture. Now a wife and mother of 4, her hands are full and she understands what it takes to lead a large center and have a full-time job at home, and it breaks my heart when I see so many dedicated school leaders sacrificing all of their time with their family and all of their self-care (what self-care?) to a school that feels like it’s constantly getting away from them.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization; Operational Efficiency; Operations Management; Professional Development and Leadership; Responsive Interactions and Guidance

In this session, Chanie is going to dial into the root causes of why leaders struggle with creating a culture of Accountability. Chanie will provide practical strategies of how you can begin to bring that level of accountability through peace, confidence, and calmness. We are going bust myths and you will leave feeling armed with strategies, and the internal trust and confidence in yourself that you can do this!

Early Childhood Strategist and Leadership Coach

Kathleen Gomes

I am an RECE with over 14 years' experience in the field. I am currently an EA at DPCDSB. I started my business facilitating workshops for educators and families during the pandemic and I also ran mommy and me classes when my daughter was born. My mission is to empower RECEs to spread their magic and find their voice.

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Child Growth and Development; Learning Environments; Professional Development and Leadership; Responsive Interactions and Guidance

My mission with this presentation is to empower ECEs to discover their voice within their own unique zone of genius. I speak about traditional teaching practices vs. child-led learning and how to step into their highest self!

Dr. Jenna Santyr

Jenna is a child advocate, lifelong learner, board game champion, and committed to helping children and educators reach their full potential. Having worked with multiple child outreach programs, including UNICEF, she has a deep appreciation for the imaginative workings of the child’s mind. And with an extensive background in Childhood Studies and over 6-years’ of experience teaching at the university level, she creates holistic courses that provide ECEs with the essential material needed to create a fun and healthy learning environment. Jenna’s educational background includes a Ph.D. in Childhood Culture, an M.A. in Early Childhood Studies, and a B.A.H. in Developmental Psychology. When children learn and develop, the best of humanity has the potential to grow!

Generally Recognized ECE Core Competencies – Child Growth and Development; Responsive Interactions and Guidance

Children will exhibit behavioral dysregulation and developmental setbacks when they are confronted with situations that are unfamiliar, unsettling, or unpredictable. These three characteristics can be used to summarize the COVID-19 pandemic for children. Research has found that 38.7% of American families lost child care during the pandemic, and of those families, 1 in 7 observed a worsening in their children's behavior (Patrick et al., 2020). This session will explore the emerging research on the developmental dip observed in children post-COVID and the strategies educators can use to manage increasingly challenging behavior in the classroom.