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  • Info@GreaterHoustonChapter.org
  • Council on Recovery | In-Person

Conference Schedule and Sessions

SESSION I SESSION II LUNCH SESSION III SESSION IV
8:30 - 9:50 am
10:00 - 11:20 am
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
12:45 - 2:00 pm
2:15 - 3:30 pm

*Boxed Lunch is Included with each Conference Registration

Session Descriptions

Igniting the Fire for Social-Emotional Learning
Corey Garza

Join veteran Child Care Regulation Program Specialist Corey Garza for a look at Social Emotional Learning and its concepts via CASEL.  This will include some fun morning group activities and a few anecdotes to remind us how important these concepts are to the children we serve in our programs and how significant they are in our personal lives.

Top 10 Violations Child Care Regulation Finds When Visiting Programs and Updates from the Agency
Corey Garza

Join me for a morning “thinking cap” session as we will cover the Top Ten deficiencies for the past year for our centers and strategies to help keep our programs in compliance with standards.  We will highlight the significant changes with Minimum Standards as well as share important news and information from the Child Care Regulation Department.

The Web We Weave – Ethics and Professionalism in Early Childhood Education
Amy Musick

Have you ever had conflicting emotions about decisions in your classroom or child care center? You are not alone. We will discuss case scenarios in which there is no clear cut correct answer and establish best practices in communicating with co-workers, families, and community partners.

Blazing Trails:  Navigating the Forest of Obstacles in Parent Communication
Amy Musick

Do you find yourself not seeing eye-to-eye with families? Do you have concerns about your students, but aren’t sure how to gain buy-in from families? This session will address proactive professional communication and will troubleshoot how to have those difficult conversations. Whether you are brand new, or a well-seasoned teacher, these skills are important

Proactive Classroom Management Strategies for Creating a Positive, Productive Early Learning Environment
Edith Patel

This professional development course is designed for educators seeking to enhance their classroom management skills and create a positive, productive learning environment. Through a blend of theory, practical strategies, and real-world applications, participants will explore various techniques to prevent and address common classroom challenges. Educators will learn how to implement consistent routines and use proactive strategies to minimize disruptions and maximize instructional time.

Take a Look, It’s in a Book!  Integrating Literacy into STEM Education
Edith Patel

This professional development course is designed for educators looking to enrich their math and science instruction through the use of read-alouds. By integrating storytelling into STEM education, teachers can engage students’ imaginations, enhance their understanding of concepts, and make learning more accessible and enjoyable. Discover the power of storytelling in STEM education—join us for this course and learn how to make math and science come alive for your students through read-alouds!

Fueling Motivation:  How Goal Setting Can Drive Success in Early Childhood Educators
Vickie Maertz

Does your early childhood center sometimes feel like a whirlwind of activity? Are you looking for ways to boost staff morale and maximize their impact on young learners?  Join us as we explore how to spark excitement, build a collaborative spirit and celebrate milestones all in the context of goal setting as it relates to early childhood educators!

Sensory Symphony:  Understanding the Orchestra of Inputs in a Child’s Learning Environment
Vickie Maertz

Does your classroom sometimes feel like an unmelodiousness of sights, sounds, and textures? Are some children seemingly overwhelmed by everyday stimuli, while others crave more input?  This engaging training will equip you with the knowledge and tools to understand the intricate world of sensory processing in young learners.

How Well Do You know Your Children?  Looking at Children with All Abilities
Cheryl Carey & Vickie Maertz

Want to understand the kids you care for better? This interactive workshop explores child development & tools to support all abilities. We’ll explore typical and not typical development, how to support challenging behaviors, how to celebrate individual differences – all while empowering participants to become advocates with an increased appreciation for uniqueness.

Positive Social and Emotional Guidelines and its Benefits
Sheena Anderson

Scaffolding a child socially and emotionally looks different as the child ages. According to Eric Erikson this unfold in stages with a positive or negative outcome. These stages become confusing with high demands on academics. We will explore each stage with positive strategies to emphasize how attentive caregivers are key components to high quality early childhood education programs.

You, Me and OT:  The Benefits of Occupational Therapy in the Early Childhood Classroom
Risa Lawson

That’s right! Come learn how occupational therapy can positively impact growth and development in young children of all ages. Learn exercises, ideas, and ways on how to modify your classroom, teaching style, and personal interactions to accommodate all children in your class.

Crying to Communicate:  Creating Routines that Support an Infant’s Daily Pattern
Lakeshia Nnamani

Working with infants can be a challenging but rewarding position. Come learn strategies to keep your infant classroom calm, validate communication skills in infants and  create routines that keep them happy while promoting optimal development.

Risk Management:  Health, Safety and Handling Unintentional Injuries
Sheika Petteway

As educators, risk management is a part of our day-to-day interactions with young children. This training is designed to teach early childhood professionals the importance of managing risk in an early “care setting.” Take a deep dive into health prevention, basic supervision practices, safety procedures, accident and incident reporting, effective supervision techniques and much more.

Bridging Generations: Building Dynamic Intergenerational Staff Teams in Early Childhood Programs
Elizabeth Beltran

Explore how to harness the strengths of different generations within your team. This session will guide you in understanding leadership styles, appreciating generational diversity, and fostering a collaborative intergenerational workforce for improved team dynamics and productivity.

Exploring the Diverse Landscape of Qualifying Disabilities and their Unique Characteristics
Kerra Glover

Join our session to explore the diverse landscape of qualifying disabilities and their unique characteristics. Gain valuable insights into evidence-based strategies and supports tailored for the classroom setting, empowering you to enhance both academic and functional performance for your students in an early childhood educational setting.