We invite participants to register for the 2026 Virtual Professional Learning Series.
Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) contact credit hours will be available for attendees.
Professional Learning Series 1 — Leading with Intention: From Identity to Influence in Early Education
This series comprises three sessions with directors, assistant directors, mentor teachers, administrative assistants, and Family Child Care Home operators in mind.
SESSION 1: The Inner Work of Leadership: Identity, Beliefs, and Mindset — April 15, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
SESSION 2: From Identity to Infrastructure: Creating Aligned Program Culture — May 7, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
SESSION 3: Empowering Staff to Uphold Values with Confidence — June 9, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
OR
Professional Learning Series 2 — Intentional Teaching
This series comprises four sessions with teachers, support staff, and Family Child Care Home operators in mind.
SESSION 1: Play, Observation, and Reflection — April 21, 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
SESSION 2: Young Investigators: Emergent Curriculum (Projects) — April 29, 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
SESSION 3: From Play to Progress: Meaningful Curriculum and Assessment in Early Childhood Education — May 21, 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
SESSION 4: Addressing Challenging Behavior: Innovative Tier I Strategies for Classroom Teachers — May 28, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Leading With Intention: From Identity to Influence in Early Education
DATE – April 15
TIME – 11:00am to 2:00pm
TITLE – The Inner Work of Leadership: Identity, Beliefs & Mindset
DESCRIPTION – Before leaders can build workplace culture or coach staff through conflict, they must understand themselves. This foundational session explores how personal experiences, implicit beliefs, stress responses, and mindset shape leadership decisions and program expectations. Participants will clarify the difference between agreement and alignment and identify where misalignment commonly occurs between best practices and the viewpoints of staff and families. Leaders will leave with a deeper understanding of their role in defining workplace culture and precise definitions of the foundational principles that will guide their individual programs.
PRESENTER – Abigail Rubio-Jones
DATE – May 7
TIME – 11:00am to 2:00pm
TITLE – From Identity to Infrastructure: Creating Aligned Program Culture
DESCRIPTION – Leadership identity becomes visible through culture. In this session, participants translate their values and beliefs into intentional systems, structures, and shared practices. Leaders will identify their leadership style, explore the strengths and limitations of different approaches, and learn how distributed leadership strengthens program stability. Participants will draft or refine mission, vision, and values statements and explore how to embed them into hiring, orientation, professional development, and family communication. This session focuses on moving from task-driven leadership to values-driven systems — ensuring clarity, consistency, and long-term sustainability.
PRESENTER – Jon Williams
DATE – June 9
TIME – 11:00am to 2:00pm
TITLE – Empowering Staff to Uphold Values with Confidence
DESCRIPTION – When leadership identity is clear and culture is aligned, leaders can confidently support staff through challenging conversations and internal conflict. This session equips leaders with coaching strategies and communication tools to help staff navigate misalignment while protecting relationships and upholding program standards. Participants will learn how to model emotional regulation, reinforce shared principles during tense moments, and use mission and values as anchors in decision-making. This session ensures that alignment is not just written into policy — it is practiced consistently, even under pressure. Leaders will leave prepared to empower staff, maintain family trust, and strengthen program resilience.
PRESENTER – Monica Antonazzo
Intentional Teaching
DATE – April 21
TIME – 3:00pm to 5:00 pm
TITLE – Play, Observation, and Reflection
DESCRIPTION – This session explores the essential cycle of learning in an early childhood classroom, moving from initial curiosity to deep exploration. Grounded in the Reggio Emilia philosophy, the workshop focuses on how educators can support and extend children’s natural inquiry through intentional engagement.
PRESENTER – Dr. Andrea Anderson
DATE – April 29
TIME – 3:00pm to 5:00 pm
TITLE – Young Investigators: Emergent Curriculum (Projects)
DESCRIPTION – This session is grounded in the principles of Young Investigators: The Project Approach in the Early Years and explores how in-depth investigations can be undertaken by individuals, small groups, or entire early childhood classrooms. Participants will dive into the learning cycle—from curiosity and exploration to meaningful project work.
PRESENTER – Dr. Andrea Anderson
DATE – May 21
TIME – 3:00pm to 4:00 pm
TITLE – From Play to Progress: Meaningful Curriculum and Assessment in Early Childhood Education
DESCRIPTION – How does authentic assessment drive curriculum? In this session participants will learn how to transform their assessments from one more thing they have to do into a useful foundation for their practice. We will talk about practical tips for embedding authentic assessments in daily routines and teaching, keeping track of all of the information, and using that information to supercharge children’s learning.
PRESENTERS – Dr. Adam Holland & Dr. Denise Brewer
DATE – May 28
TIME – 3:00pm to 6:00 pm
TITLE – Addressing Challenging Behavior: Innovative Tier I Strategies for Classroom Teachers
DESCRIPTION – In this session, we will approach challenging behavior by developing an understanding of children’s motivation. With stories and examples from his own time in the classroom, Dr. Holland will illustrate practical ways to set up a classroom to reduce or eliminate challenging behavior and provide strategies for how to handle it when it does pop up. The session will include time for discussion and application as well as opportunities for question and answer.
PRESENTER – Dr Adam Holland