Three day complete registration

Two day registration

Two day registration

Two day registration

One day registration

One day registration

One day registration

This space will be a 10x10 space in a premium location with electrical access, table and two chairs. 

This space will be a 10x10 space with no electric access. One table and two chairs included.

This space will be a 10x10 space in a premium location with electrical access, table and two chairs. Non profit organizations only.

This space will be a 10x10 space with no electric access. One table and two chairs included.

This space will be a 10x10 space with no electric access. One table and two chairs included.

One table is included with each exhibitor registration. This selection is an additional 6 ft. table for your 10x10 space.

Online Exhibitor will include your logo on the main Eventsquid page of the Celebrating Connections 2024 website, linking to your designated website. This can be stand alone or in conjunction with an in-person exhibit option.

Research shows music is the only activity utilizing the entire brain. Knowing the early years are where we make the most difference, this workshop demonstrates how to use music to build brains to create competent, capable, confident children. From discussion to active participation, attendees will gain an understanding of how music is functional in all areas of development and learn activities to strengthen the brain for learning. They will learn how to put the knowledge into practical action. As Early Childhood Professionals, we are engineers / designers of brains! How exciting is that? Let’s build brains with Music!

Maryann K Harman

Founder of Music with Mar., TEDx Speaker; Author of "Building Brains of Music", International Speaker; BA Music Ed/MA Education with emphasis in early childhood, Music with Mar

Executive function develops at an incredibly rapid pace during the preschool year, beginning shortly after birth. Many noteworthy researchers have highlighted executive functioning as a critical preschool skill necessary for later success. Yet, experts tell us that few attempts are made to assess executive processes in young children. Harvard's Center on the Developing Child tells us that babies aren't born with the vital executive functions and self-regulation skills, but that they are born with the potential to develop them. Therefore, it is imperative that we examine the executive functioning of young children in order to develop individualized plans to achieve these essential skills.

Barbara Kuczen, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus, Author, Early Childhood Consultant, Chicago State University

Looking forward to hugs from children in our programs? We love that until we encounter the "work demons":

-whiner complaining at every meeting,

-gossiper pressuring us to take her side,

-parent demanding more time than her child,

-child whose purpose seems to be to push our buttons,

-team teacher leaving her mess for us to clean up.

The worst is how hard we can be on ourselves, expecting perfection, never feeling like we have done enough for others. Are you ready to name, face and deal directly with each of these behaviors ("work demons") that are the thieves of your joy? Join us for a day of honest and direct, supportive, and practical strategies and practices in preventing, addressing and overcoming these everyday downers. Bring your own challenges to resolve. Together, with Holly Elissa Bruno, who brings decades of experience, international perspective, and an abundance of humor, we'll end the day dancing out the door!

Holly Elissa Bruno, MA, JD

Award winning author, International Keynoter, CEO at HEB Keynotes & Team Building, LLC

“Give Language to Get Language” is an important mantra when supporting AAC learners. Giving language includes providing accessible language tools, and ample opportunities to learn them. This session will outline foundational understandings related to 1) features of AAC tools, 2) how developmental language acquisition informs AAC implementation, and 3) the power of motivation and relatedness in shaping meaningful AAC interactions. Hands-on practice with use-it-tomorrow AAC implementation strategies will guide discussion about the capacity and flexibility of AAC tools. Options (and rationale) for customizing/modifying vocabulary to grow with learners, & engineering the environment to reduce barriers to implementation will also be explored.

Tabi Jones-Wohleber

CCC-SLP / WVBTT provider, RAU 8, Communication AACtualized, LLC

Play Therapy is evidenced based and effective in promoting child development in your practice with children and families. In this workshop, you will have fun engaging in experiential activities while learning about Play Therapy foundations, principles and approaches. Participants will learn Play Therapy techniques and current research supporting the path to apply them for early intervention, improving outcomes, and enhancing the quality of your early childhood practice and services.

Katrina Jefferson, MSW, LCSW

Owner/Therapist, Certified Trauma Therapist, Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, PeaceTree Center for Wellness

In this session, we’ll delve into the transformative power of tough conversations. With the right set of skills, hard conversation can create constructive partnerships. As a communication and leadership strategist, I’ll guide participants through an interactive session of setting boundaries and fostering healthy communication to enhance personal and work relationships. Throughout this dynamic session, we'll celebrate the importance of building strong connections within our community and across regions. Participants will leave with enhanced skills to elevate the quality of early childhood services. This is an opportunity to empower bridge building throughout our professional journey and beyond!

Shannon Smith, M.D.

Communication and Leadership Strategist, Own Your Focus

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a term we are hearing more and more in our world today. In this presentation, we will explore what sensory processing disorder is, explore the causes, prevalence within indigenous communities, describe the different types of SPD and how they are expressed in everyday behaviors in the classroom. The presentation will focus on how to design the environment and provide activities that will benefit all children in the classroom.

Ingrid Kanics, OTR/L, FAOTA, CPSI

MindSpring

The connection of storytelling and puppets will bring a story to life. Puppets help transition children, focus their attention, and create an exciting learning experience. Learn how to introduce a mascot puppet. Enjoy the excitement of connecting with children in a new and passionate way. You will get tips, tricks, the who, what, when, where and why to use a puppet and take home an easy to use puppet.

Mary Jo Huff,

Author, Early Childhood Educator, Teaching Artist, Storytellin' Time

This sessions is for Teachers/Educators. This sessions is offered for Directors/Managers in Session C4.

Due to ongoing events from the pandemic, program leaders and staff are experiencing changes that have significantly impacted our ability to maintain a culture of safety. The increase in child incidents related to children being left unattended or child maltreatment is evidence that we need to intensify our efforts to vigorously implement strategies that ensure children are safe at all times while under our care. This requires intentional, focused, and constant supervision. In this session, participants will identify strategies that make the connections between leadership, staff supervision, strong management systems, high-quality teaching and learning, family engagement, staff wellness, and child safety. 

Rashanda L. Jenkins, MSW

Health Specialist, Office of Head Start/ICF-Region III Training & Technical Assistance Network

This presentation will provide simple goals and strategies for creating an early childhood classroom that celebrates diversity.

Christi Calvert, WVUP Child Development Program Coordinator and Faculty, West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Container baby syndrome (CBS) has become a primary issue affecting infants and toddlers in the last 20 years. This session will review the causes of and implications for child development, and measures to prevent CBS.

Sheila Zickefoose MA, IMHE, Statewide ICC Coordinator, WV Birth to Three Training Coordinator, WVECTCR, RVCDS

Puppets help transition children, focus their attention, and create an exciting learning experience. Learn how to introduce a mascot puppet. Enjoy the excitement of connecting with children in a new and passionate way. You will get tips, tricks, the who, what, when, where and why to use a puppet and take home an easy to use puppet.

Mary Jo Huff, Author, Early Childhood Educator, Teaching Artist- Storytellin' Time

This sessions is for Directors/Managers. This sessions is offered for Teachers/Educators in Session B4.

Due to ongoing events from the pandemic, program leaders and staff are experiencing changes that have significantly impacted our ability to maintain a culture of safety. The increase in child incidents related to children being left unattended or child maltreatment is evidence that we need to intensify our efforts to vigorously implement strategies that ensure children are safe at all times while under our care. This requires intentional, focused, and constant supervision. In this session, participants will identify strategies that make the connections between leadership, staff supervision, strong management systems, high-quality teaching and learning, family engagement, staff wellness, and child safety. 

Rashanda L. Jenkins, MSW

Health Specialist, Office of Head Start/ICF-Region III Training & Technical Assistance Network

Do Deaf have their own culture? What is the difference between hearing culture and Deaf culture? How old is sign language and where did it come from? We will discuss Deaf culture, history, and language. 

Janelle St. Martin, EIPA, NAD, S.N.H.S. , Dip. Color Therapy, Cert. Clinical Aromatherapist, CEO of WeSign2

In this motivational keynote address Lisa shares the powerful story of her first day of school. Through active and engaging storytelling Lisa brings you back to her first day, taking you on a grand tour of Miss Mary’s Nursery School. And, in the style she has become famous for, she shares many observations, lessons and anecdotes about how early childhood has changed along the way. Lisa will share the sights sounds and smells of the place where, at the young age of three, she decided to become a teacher and identifies the how, and why, that one day solidified her decision to become an educator. This inspiring keynote gets participants back in touch with their personal how and why. It gets them excited and gets them thinking: If it WAS their only day, what will they remember?

Lisa Murphy, M.Ed. Ooey Gooey, Inc.

The presenter will briefly discuss the importance of being trauma-informed with working with students, parents, and other staff. Discuss what trauma is and the signs one should watch out for before treating the behavior one sees. Participants will learn how to go beyond normal diagnosis in the classroom and see that every behavior communicates something the individual may not know how to or is not comfortable sharing.

Mylira Green, MSW, LCSW, CAIP, CSTIP, M. Green Enterprises, LLC.

"Life's Little Lessons" is a collection of fun and flexible resources designed for early childhood care providers, based on the hit PBS KIDS show, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. Using Fred Rogers' landmark social-emotional learning curriculum and a series of catchy "strategy songs," the show – and this digital resource – helps young children manage emotions and develop key social and emotional skills while exploring, growing, singing, and creating with Daniel Tiger and his pre-school friends. 

Maggie Holley, Education Director, West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Autumn Meadows, Education Specialist, West Virginia Public Broadcasting

The rules have changed…the WVABLE program allows qualifying individuals with a disability, and their families, the opportunity to save and invest more than $2,000 without losing eligibility for certain government benefits that are critical to their health and well-being, such as SSI and Medicaid. Earnings grow tax free and can be used at any time to pay for qualified disability expenses. Attendees of this session will learn about the benefits and advantages of this important financial planning tool for families who have a child with a disability. Additionally, the session will include discussion of recent legislative enhancements and 2023/2024 program updates.

Roxanne Clay, Director, WVABLE Savings Program/MA, WVABLE Savings - West Virginia State Treasurer's Office

This workshop is a discussion, NOT an argument. We will talk about facilitating power playing in any and all of its manifestations, NOT debating whether it is “ok” or not. If you are pro, awesome, let’s take your facilitation of it and your comfort deeper. If you are on the fence, come ready to unpack your hesitation. If you are solid in the anti-camp, please think twice about selecting this session unless you and your group are ready to consider both the benefits of power playing and the concerns that are linked to simply banning it.

Lisa Murphy, M.Ed., Ooey Gooey, Inc.

Through the day, do you need to chill? Let’s go through some stretches and relaxing techniques you can use throughout the day. Or maybe you need to get ready to sit and learn and wake up your brain. Been sitting or standing too long and need to stretch out. Come sit in a chair and do some stretches to work out those kinks.

Janelle St.Martin, EIPA, NAD, S.N.H.S. Dip. Color Therapy, Cert. Clinical Aromatherapist, CEO of WeSign2

Regularly using reflective practice provides a professional the opportunity to reflect on their work and the impact their work has on themselves and others. This practice develops critical self-awareness and the ability to consider multiple perspectives, which provides a model for strengthening relationships and promoting the growth and development of young children, families, and professionals. During this session, professionals will learn why reflective practice is important, key indicators within a program that support reflective practice, best practice guidelines, tools and strategies. 

Michelle Rollyson, Coordinator, West Virginia Infant/Toddler Mental Health Association

Debbie Withrow, WV Home Visitation Consultation

Trella Coppola, WV Home Visitation Specialist

Nonie Roberts, WV Home Visitation/PICO Training Specialist

At the heart of what an ECE leader needs to lead is confidence: believing we can face and handle with competence (and an upbeat attitude) any challenge that comes our way. Do you have that confidence?

Some confidence comes from our knowledge base; however, most confidence stems from believing in our capacity to problem-solve any situation with clarity, trust and optimism. Let’s explore what you already have, what you need, and how to claim yourself as “good enough”, equal to any challenge. You are likely more capable than you think you are. 

Holly Elissa Bruno, MA, JD, Award winning author, International Keynoter, CEO at HEB Keynotes & Team Building, LLC

Participants will learn how to incorporate sign language for many areas of learning including: language and literacy, emotional mindfulness support/learning, classroom/behavior management, and learn some great positive preventive activities through songs, games and stories.

Lillian Hubler Tobin, President of Time to Sign, CDA, Associates Degree in Early Childhood

Take your students to a Hawaiian luau. Start by announcing that the class is going to Hawaii. Start preparing for the trip by learning about Hawaii and all of the things that make it unique. Learn about the animals that call Hawaii home. Learn about volcanos and black sand beaches. Teach students about the unique food that is offered in Hawaii. Teach students how to Hula dance. Introduce a drumming circle. Have fun learning about other cultures.

Kelly Serdynski Gray, PreK Special Needs Teacher, M.A., M.S., Berkeley County Schools

Participants will be engaged to discuss common misconceptions surrounding poverty and how belief systems can hinder our work with families. We will explore statistics and fraud in WV and learn how decision making skills are different for someone currently in poverty. Participants will discover how the brain is changed in poverty due to issues like chronic stress and exposure to toxins. Participants will brainstorm ways to overcome challenges to working with families in poverty. 

Stephanie Vunderink-Steger, LSW, MAED, IMH-E, Home Visitation Coordinator, WVDHHR

This presentation will provide educators and school professionals with the tools to create balance in one's life. It will explore the importance of creating harmony in one's healing process and how having SMART goals in each dimension of life (spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, social, and cash flow) promotes holistic healing, resulting in sustainable thriving. Participants will be introduced to the secret weapon of a healthy classroom, self-love, and how embracing one's story, knowing one is empowered, realizing one is lovable and deserving, a being faithful to one's goal sets a person free to embrace a new environment, regardless of one past. Individuals will walk away feeling liberated, prepared to take on new opportunities, flexible to allowing outside resources to ventilate their purpose when life happens, leave one discouraged, and create a space to provide constant evolution.

Mylira Green, MSW, LCSW, CAIP, CSTIP M. Green Enterprises, LLC.

Nurturing and responsive relationships is a key feature of Tier 1 in the Pyramid Model. In this presentation, participants will explore strategies to build and strengthen relationships with children, families, and colleagues in ways that strengthen social-emotional learning for preschool and kindergarten children.

Marlo Horsby, WV Behavior Mental Health Technical Assistance Center

Seeing is believing is a vision board workshop that leads individuals through a hands on approach to goal setting. Participants will walk away with a tool for professional and personal growth. 

Terra Crews, Executive Director, Holy Family Child Care and Development Center

Shaelee Monroe, Holy Family Child Care and Development Center

“I know a little sign language now what do I do with it?” “How do I incorporate it into what I am doing every day?” We will answer these questions and practice this through this session. Bring your list of words you want to know the signs for. 

Janelle St. Martin, EIPA, NAD, S.N.H.S. Dip. Color Therapy, Cert. Clinical Aromatherapist, CEO of WeSign2

This interactive session offers a framework in thinking through emergency preparedness plans in a developmentally appropriate and trauma informed context to further the social emotional development of infants and young children. Participants will gain an understanding of why relationships are key to supporting emotional regulation before, during, and after emergencies; types of responses children and adults may have during an emergency; how to support young children during emergency drills; how to communicate and reassure children and families during and after emergencies; how to recognize stress and trauma responses; and the importance of self and community care after emergencies. After participating in this workshop, participants will be able to take the information learned to share with others. 

Charla Blosser, Developmental. Specialist, West Virginia Birth to Three

Sheila Zickefoose, MA, IMHE, Statewide ICC Coordinator

Linda Carnell, Assistant State Forester - Communication and Education, West Virginia Division of Forestry

Andy Sheetz, WVDOF -Urban Forestry Program

Kacey Shiflett, AmeriCorps member

Devin Wanner, USFS

Cinda Francis - PLT Facilitator

Participants will learn about children’s social-emotional development and how to use positive reinforcement, role-modeling, stories, music and games that provide a powerful foundation to enhance children’s learning and behavior. 

This workshop will teach teachers and specialists the 100 Easy Ways to Promote Social – Emotional Learning to guide their children through a positive, preventative, and effective instructional approach.

Participants also learn to bring young children out of their emotional brain into their logical brain to improving self-regulating behavior.

Dr. Michael Hubler, Ed.D., Director of Professional Development, EC-LEARN

This extended session will begin with an exploration of the nine points Lisa shares in her book, Lisa Murphy On… Being Child Centered. Using her signature “learning and laughing” style, Lisa will debunk the myth that being play-based and child centered means a room full of crazy chaotic naked children! After presenting what it really means to be child centered Lisa will demonstrate six (6) tables FULL of hands-on activity ideas that participants can immediately use in their programs. Participants will have ample time to ask questions and play with the materials and activities too! 

Lisa Murphy, M.Ed., Ooey Gooey® , Inc.

In this presentation I will discuss the basic misconceptions surrounding behavior in children. We will talk about how adults often look for the "fix" through strategies, causation, triggers, and a whole host of extrinsic rewards. We will talk about why those "fixes" don't often work and ways to address behavior from a developmental and intrinsic standpoint. 

Amy Carlson, WV ECPBIS Coordinator, WV Behavior Mental Health TA Center

Avoiding Power Struggles- We have all been there...in the moment with a young child and before we know it we are in a power struggle. In this session we will talk about strategies related to behavior as an integrated experience between adult and child and how what we do, and don't do, influences the behaviors we see.  

Sara Wines, WV Behavior Mental Health TA Center

Music enhances all forms of learning, giving emotional depth and creative meaning to every aspect of early childhood education. Vincent pairs his original, interactive songs with age-appropriate activities and fundamental movement skills to enrich curriculum content, encourage creative thinking and introduce shared community values. 

Vincent Nunes, Composer and Performer, Paul Nunes Law & Music PC

Participants will discuss the benefits of free play with loose parts as they hear about (and see photos of) a free, community event for children of all ages and abilities. The annual Pop-Up Play event is sponsored by the School of Education faculty, staff and students at Florida SouthWestern State College.

Julia Kroeker, Professor of Early Childhood Education, Florida SouthWestern State College

Withe ducator burnout at an all time high, where does one turn to shift the narrative of personal mental health in a highly stressful occupation? In this session, you will feel like you're getting your own personal coaching session with an internationally certified mental health coach. During this session, participants will create personal management plans through tailored strategies and techniques. This will foster a positive narrative that will allow participants to return to a more productive and enjoyable life.

Happy Plaugher, Certified Mental Health Specialist/Life Coach, Intentional Life Coaching, LLC.

We know children are most creative when they play. We know children learn best through play. We know children are joyful and connected to their world through play. Adults also learn and communicate more effectively through play! A respectful, creative, and cohesive adult ECE team is the foundation to successful programs for young children.

Discover, engage, and build thoughtful, respectful communication and connections with other ECE minded adults while learning something new through a process of exploring the joy and deeper creative thinking of your inner child using LEGO® bricks. Prepare to have fun and some laughs too. Wanna Play?

Amy McMillan, LEGO(R)SeriousPlay(R) Leadership/Professionalism Consultant, Early Childhood/Leadership/Professionalism Consultant

Once AAC is in place, bringing language to life through AAC in everyday interactions can be the challenge many of us are unsure or ill-equipped to tackle, or sustain. This session will dive into strategies to make space for AAC, so it can be effectively and meaningfully embedded across AAC learners' interactions and activities. Four components of implementation, Prepare, Speak, Invite, and Respond, will be discussed as strategies for each across home and school environments are shared and practiced. Come prepared to engage and expand your AAC know-how. Communication boards will be provided for practice, exploration, and discussion.

Tabi Jones-Wohleber, CCC-SLP / WVBTT provider, RAU 8, Communication AACtualized, LLC

This presentation will include ideas and examples of how to provide a rich experience through play and STEAM while taking learning outside. Don’t let the lack of knowledge or facilities influence your decision to stay inside for learning. So many skills and experiences can be gained through learning outdoors. Sensory rich experiences and environments also become natural classroom management.

Betsy Wells, PreK/Special Needs Teacher-MA Early Childhood Special Education-DCELA Doddridge County Schools

Do you find circle time to be a struggle with behavior problems each day? Would you like to have circle time success for you and every child? In this training by Carrie Frasch and Meredith Lester, you will learn how to improve student participation and engagement, as well as learn ideas and strategies so that you can help your children be successful and have a meaningful experience.

Meredith Lester, Behavioral Consultant, MountainHeart Community Services-North

Carrie Frasch, Behavioral Consultant, MountainHeart Community Services-North

The training will uncover what process art is and how it can benefit your classroom. The session demonstrates how to encourage children’s creativity through developmentally appropriate art experiences, discuss how to provide open-ended, creative art experiences in the classroom, tips for leading process focused art and what children learn developmentally from process art. This session is appropriate for anyone working with children.

Mariah Burnley, Owner/Director/Early Childhood Specialist, BA-MA

This program teaches American Sign Language (ASL) to parents and/or caregivers of young children ages birth to 5 years to be used in the home or classroom. This interactive learning experience promotes all 5 Central Learning Domains for young children. Journey into sign language by joining us to learn how to enhance our youngest children’s communication, language and literacy skills, social-emotional learning, as well as cognitive and physical development. 

Lillian Hubler Tobin, President Time to Sign, CDA, Associates Degree in Early Childhood, Preschool Director

Early math skills are a good predictor for later academic & career success. How can we build math minds through early math experiences? Join Save the Children’s Kindergarten Readiness experts and learn how early educators and caregivers can help children build their math minds!  

Michelle Raabe , Kindergarten Readiness Advisor - Save the Children 

B.S Early Childhood and Elementary Education Penn State University. M.Ed.

Curriculum and Instruction University 21 years classroom teacher PreK-4th Grades, Title 1 Specialist Penn State Student Teaching Supervisor/Instructor 

This session will cover how to use FindHelp as a tool for referrals for families. Learn what Findhelp is and the role it plays in WV. Learn how to navigate the system and find available resources across WV

Stephanie Vunderink-Steger , LSW, MAED, IMH-E, Home Visitation Coordinator, WVDHHR

Assistive technology has been helping children to become independent and learn. This training will go over several devices that will be beneficial to people working with children and wanting to use assistive technology. We will address some of the common barriers people have when introducing assistive technology to children at a young age. Come learn solutions to some of the problems that assistive technology can solve for your children.

Douglas Cumpston, Program Manager/Principal Investigator, West Virginia Assistive Technology System

Alexandria Saweikis, AT Specialist, West Virginia Assistive Technology System

Music enhances all forms of learning, giving emotional depth and creative meaning to every aspect of early childhood education. Vincent pairs his original, interactive songs with age-appropriate activities and fundamental movement skills to enrich curriculum content, encourage creative thinking and introduce shared community values. 

Vincent Nunes, Composer and Performer, Paul Nunes Law & Music PC

Students learn best when they are motivated to do so. Motivation and interest in learning can be increased by incorporating playful activities. By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Describe characteristics of play/playful activities

Describe the benefits of incorporating playful activities in lessons and allowing the opportunity for free play.

Describe strategies and tools for incorporating play/playfulness in the classroom as well as different types of playful activities. 

Julia Kroeker, Professor of Early Childhood Education, Florida SouthWestern State College

This training talks about the importance of snacks and provides lots of fun and healthy snack ideas.

Renee Stonebraker, WV Child Care Health Educator, River Valley Child Development Services

What is Help Me Grow? Help Me Grow is a free developmental screening, monitoring, and referral service that connects the parents with resources to aid in the development of their child. Help Me Grow (HMG) also serves as a free resource and referral portal for the completion of Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQs) for physicians and childcare providers and then link these children and their families to community - based developmental and/or behavioral services and supports. 

LeeAnn Blankenship, Help Me Grow Coordinator, MS, LSW

Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health - WV Department of Health and Human Resources

The goal of this conference is to explain how to assess the communicative needs of an individual with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to determine the best mode of communication to teach. Participants will explore four different modes of communication; Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Sign Language, Verbal Communication, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and learn how to teach and build upon communication skills through these tools. Functional Communication Training (FCT) will be discussed through a multi-disciplinary team model by a Speech Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst who have the same goal “to increase communication and decrease frustration”. 

Whether you are an experienced or newer to working with individuals with ASD, you will walk away with practical strategies to help children of all abilities to communicate. 

Angela Wood, Executive Director, BCBA, Augusta Levy Learning Center

Tracy Wood, SLP, WVU, NDC

What is play? How is play important to the development and learning of PreK students? This presentation will dive deep into the basics and brain science behind play and its importance in the overall development and learning of preschool students. Developmentally appropriate practices, classroom environment, materials, centers, activities, teaching philosophy, and methodology will be provided/presented. Being an advocate for play and developmentally appropriate practices in PreK when academics are the driving force in most school districts.

Betsy Wells, PreK/Special Needs Teacher-MA Early Childhood Special Education-DCELA Doddridge Co Schools

This presentation will review what deafblindness really is, what the characteristics are, and early intervention strategies when working with children with deafblindness. In addition, this presentation will cover an introduction to Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), which is the leading cause of visual impairment in children in the United States. 

Debbie Adams, WVDE Deafblind Coordinator

This empowerment session is geared to encourage you to identify your true worth within. This interactive session consists of a series of activities, starting with a ground-shaking activity called the mirror activity that allows you to see your worth in the mirror alongside me, stating affirmations. Following this, you will have a worksheet and some time to reflect on your experience and determine at least one affirmation you will say to yourself from that day forward. I know what you are thinking. How can looking in the mirror make such a change? I would then ask you when is the last time you looked in the mirror and said anything positive to yourself. Try it. It will be life-changing. 

Haley Lugo-Pichardo, Founder, Daily with Hailey, Empowerment Coach, Empowerment Speaker, Podcaster

Participants will learn how to teach young children about race, ethnicity, equality, and humanity through songs, stories, and shows. Teaching our young children how to view and understand the world and our wonderful differences and how we are all the SAME inside.  

With this training you learn easy ways through social-emotional learning to implement race and ethnicity instruction to the youngest of our children, so they learn early to understand and appreciate all their own and everyone else's uniqueness and specialty.

Dr. Michael Hubler, Ed.D., Director of Professional Development, EC-LEARN

I will show the participants how to have an English tea in the early childhood classroom. I will show them how to build London. I will show them how to teach children how to set a proper table. I will show them how to teach children about great architecture, such as the Westminster Abbey. I will teach them how to make stain glass windows for their very own Westminster Abbey. We will have a unit on are queens and kings real? We will look at the royal family and their history. We will learn the waltz for our royal ball.  

Kelly Serdynski Gray, PreK Special Needs Teacher, M.A., M.S., Berkeley County Schools

Participants will identify key partners in their communities and brainstorm ways to connect with those partners. Participants will review ways to embed their local partners into their programs. Participants will develop elevator speeches for use with program awareness, relationship building, asking for an MOU, and building referral networks. 

Stephanie Vunderink-Steger, LSW, MAED, IMH-E, Home Visitation Coordinator, WVDHHR

SLPs are increasingly concerned with how to navigate some of the mental health and behavioral challenges that students on their caseload display. Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and other mental health concerns are contributing to an increase in the number of children presenting with complex clinical profiles. SLPs are faced with navigating their role in providing services to these children on their caseloads. This presentation will explore how SLPs can work to understand the challenging behaviors and complex needs of the children in their classroom from a strengths-based, culturally responsive perspective. Further, we will explore how resilience-building practices can be incorporated into speech and language-specific objectives.

Jamie Maxwell, PhD, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, Marshall University

Kelly Rutherford, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, Associate Professor, Marshall University

For more than 20+ years, Dr. Andra Barton has helped hundreds of teams thrive by making mental wellness at work a priority instead of an afterthought. Her former career as a nationally-recognized principal gave her firsthand experience on empowering one of society’s most high-pressure, low-morale workplaces that exist today — the school system. Aiming to change the status quo, Dr. Barton co-founded Chance to Soar — a nonprofit that equips schools to support their educators’ wellbeing throughout the year. Now as a corporate speaker, Dr. Barton shares simple yet effective strategies to help organizations shift toward a positive workplace culture as soon as tomorrow. 

Andra Barton, Co-Founder & Executive Director, A Chance to Soar