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Audience: Higher education faculty clear filter
Tuesday, May 13
 

9:00am EDT

(In-Person) Advancing Inclusive Practices to Promote Social-Emotional and Behavioral Development
Tuesday May 13, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA
In this session, we will discuss how there is need for continued support for early childhood educators so that as we work to eliminate practices such as suspension and expulsion, we provide early childhood educators with a toolkit of inclusive, proactive, and preventative strategies they can use in its place to promote social emotional competence. We will also address how exclusionary discipline disproportionately impacts young children of color and young children with disabilities. We will provide strategies to facilitate the meaningful inclusion of all young children. This includes strategies on how to seek additional support for children with disabilities who may have behavior viewed as challenging.
Speakers
avatar for Megan Vinh

Megan Vinh

Senior TA Specialist, FPG
Bio
avatar for Courtney O'Grady

Courtney O'Grady

Assistant Professor, The University of Alabama
Tuesday May 13, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA

9:00am EDT

(In-Person) Fostering Communication and Literacy Skills for Children with Complex Support Needs in Inclusive Settings
Tuesday May 13, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA
Children with complex support needs require an extensive array of supports to access their environment, interact with others, participate in instruction, learn, and communicate autonomously. When these supports are not present, they have reduced access to language, communication, and literacy interactions compared to their peers with and without disabilities. This session will describe specific supports such as augmentative and alternative communication and accessible literacy lessons that address these needs and result in increased access, participation, and learning success.
Speakers
avatar for Lisa Thompson

Lisa Thompson

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Allisa (Lisa) Thompson is currently a PhD student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she works as a research assistant in the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies. Prior to her doctoral studies, she served as a special education consultant, literacy consultant... Read More →
Tuesday May 13, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA

9:00am EDT

(In-Person) Preparing Inclusion Advocates and Leaders: Tools and Strategies for Faculty and PD Providers
Tuesday May 13, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA
This session will focus on ways in which to build the capacity for early childhood educators to recognize, create, implement, evaluate, and advocate for high-quality inclusive learning and development opportunities for young children. Tools and strategies that help promote emphasis on the full participation of each and every child and their family will be highlighted. Presenters will share examples of how to bring an inclusive lens to any course or professional development offering. Focused tabletop discussions will provide opportunities for participants to follow their interests and learning priorities.
Speakers
avatar for Camille Catlett

Camille Catlett

Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
avatar for Kelli Odden

Kelli Odden

Professor, Mayville State University
Kelli Odden is a professor of education at Mayville State University.
avatar for Sharon Little

Sharon Little

Higher Education Liaison, Early Years (formerly Child Care Services Association)
Sharon Little, Ed.D is Higher Education Liaison with CCSA, with thirty-eight years of experience in the field of early education and adult learning. Sharon is a former Program Lead and Community College Faculty in Early Childhood Education, a recipient of SCRIPT-NC during her program... Read More →
avatar for Samtra Devard

Samtra Devard

Samtra Devard is a youth and family advocate from Bear, DE.
Tuesday May 13, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA

9:00am EDT

(Virtual) Making Inclusion Work: Use of and Resources for Planning and Implementation of Early Care and Education Environment (ECEE) Indicators of High Quality Inclusion
Tuesday May 13, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA
Through the use of the ECEE Indicators, this workshop will share strategies and practices providers can use to support inclusion and belonging in their setting. The ECEE Strengths and Needs Assessment will be shared to support the development of an action plan that immediately recognizes what providers are doing to support inclusion and belonging and aids the provider in planning next steps to enhance inclusive practices. Participants will explore how practices can be embedded into the context of daily early childhood routines. The session will include opportunities to review videos and discuss implementation of the ECEE indicators in small groups and individually.  A resource site for supporting learning about the ECEE will also be shared with participants.
Speakers
avatar for Alissa Rausch

Alissa Rausch

Faculty, University of Denver
avatar for Ben Riepe

Ben Riepe

Senior Project Manager, University of Denver
Ben began his early childhood experience as a Head Start teacher, coach, and trainer. He is on staff at both the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations and the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center, where he supports high fidelity program-wide implementation of the Pyramid Model with families of diverse backgrounds in Denver, Colorado. His previous work includes the Colorado Center for Social Emotional Competence and Inclusion, where he supported communities in their efforts to embed evi... Read More →
Tuesday May 13, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA

2:45pm EDT

(Hybrid) Implementing and Sustaining Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood Environments
Tuesday May 13, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm EDT
TBA
Speakers
avatar for Pat Snyder

Pat Snyder

UF Distinguished Professor David Lawrence Jr. Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies Director, Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies, University of Florida
I am a Distinguished Professor of Special Education and Early Childhood Studies, an affiliate Professor of Pediatrics, the David Lawrence Jr. Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies, and Director of the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies at the University... Read More →
avatar for Hsiu-wen Yang

Hsiu-wen Yang

Researcher, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Tuesday May 13, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm EDT
TBA

2:45pm EDT

(Hybrid) Implementing and Sustaining Promising State Level Practices
Tuesday May 13, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm EDT
TBA
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Heather Googe

Dr. Heather Googe

Principal Investigator, South Carolina Pyramid PIECES , SCIC, & SCPI
Dr. Googe has over 20 years of experience working in the field of early childhood special education and holds a PhD in Special Education from the University of South Carolina. She is a Research Assistant Professor at the Yvonne & Schuyler Moore Child Development Research Center at... Read More →
avatar for Ann Kremer

Ann Kremer

Project Director, Early CHOICES
Ann Kremer is the Project Director for Early CHOICES a preschool inclusion initiative of the Illinois State Board of Education.  The mission of Early CHOICES is to increase high quality inclusive opportunities for young children. Ann has a masters of education in early childhood... Read More →
Tuesday May 13, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm EDT
TBA

4:30pm EDT

 
Wednesday, May 14
 

8:30am EDT

(Hybrid) Making Adaptations to Support Access and Meaningful Participation Within Everyday Routines and Activities for All Children
Wednesday May 14, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
TBA
All children have the right to meaningful participation in early care and education environments. Yet, children 
with disabilities are often excluded from routines and activities within these environments. This session will 
support practitioners in understanding how to use adaptations to promote participation and belonging within 
classrooms. This session will also explore several online resources that are available at no-cost to support 
adults in providing access and meaningful participation for each child.
Speakers
avatar for Megan Vinh

Megan Vinh

Senior TA Specialist, FPG
Bio
avatar for Allison Jones

Allison Jones

Technical Assistance Specialist, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at UNC, Chapel Hill.
 Allison Jones, M.Ed. is a TA Specialist with the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and the Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems. Allison has worked in the field of early childhood for over 20 years... Read More →
Wednesday May 14, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
TBA

8:30am EDT

(Hybrid) The Global Promotion of My Abilities First project and Taiwanese development and strategies to facilitate application of My Abilities ID Cards
Wednesday May 14, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
TBA
The My Abilities First (MAF) project, initiated in 2016, emphasizes empowering children and their families through self-expression and the use of positive language in children's services. In 2020, Taiwan joined this global MAF project by introducing My Abilities ID Cards (ABID) for children under 12 years old with special needs and placing these ABIDs on the first page of children's individual profiles to encourage practitioners to focus on children's strengths rather than their weaknesses. Additionally, Taiwan has expanded this transformative approach by incorporating ABID into physiotherapy education, highlighting the importance of a strength-based approach for children with special needs. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a discussion about challenges and solutions as well as lessons learned across differing contexts.

There are three subtitles to introduce the global promotion of My Abilities First project and Taiwanese development and strategies to facilitate application of My Abilities ID Cards. Three subtitles are: 1. Schiariti Veronica- My Abilities First: Global Promotion of Children's Right to Self-Expression. 2. Liao HF- Promoting My Abilities First: Launching My Abilities ID Card Demonstration Sites in Taiwan 3.Wang PJ- Facilitating Positive Language in HealthcareEducation in Taiwan: My Abilities ID Cards
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Verónica Schiariti

Dr. Verónica Schiariti

Adjunct Associate Professor; Creator of "My Abilities First" project, Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, BC, Canada
Dr. Schiariti has also led many knowledge translation initiatives to disseminate the application of the ICF Core Sets in clinical practice around the world. Her work has been recognized with different honours and awards, including the 2022 Children's Healthcare Canada Individual... Read More →
avatar for Professor Hua-Fang Liao
avatar for Pei-Jung Wang

Pei-Jung Wang

Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy Department, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
Pei-Jung (Grace) Wang currently works as an assistant professor of physical therapy department at Asia University. Her research interest focus on pediatric rehabilitation, assessment and factors influencing mastery motivation in young children with and without developmental disabilities... Read More →
Wednesday May 14, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
TBA

10:30am EDT

(In-Person) Tools for Preparing Adult Learners to Individualize to Support Each and Every Child
Wednesday May 14, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA
This session will focus on options for designing effective coursework and professional development that supports participants to learn, try out, and apply practices for supporting each and every learner. Techniques for addressing adaptations and evidence-based teaching practices will be offered, including ways in which to use place-based personas to support outcomes that reflect attention to early childhood inclusion.
Speakers
avatar for Camille Catlett

Camille Catlett

Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
avatar for Sharon Little

Sharon Little

Higher Education Liaison, Early Years (formerly Child Care Services Association)
Sharon Little, Ed.D is Higher Education Liaison with CCSA, with thirty-eight years of experience in the field of early education and adult learning. Sharon is a former Program Lead and Community College Faculty in Early Childhood Education, a recipient of SCRIPT-NC during her program... Read More →
avatar for Kelli Odden

Kelli Odden

Professor, Mayville State University
Kelli Odden is a professor of education at Mayville State University.
Wednesday May 14, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA

1:00pm EDT

(Hybrid) Maximizing Opportunities for Learning and Development of All Young Children: A Universal Design for Learning Approach
Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
TBA
This interactive session will:
 1. 
Review the research related to the role of access, participation, and belonging within the early childhood school and classroom 
2. Hear from families and learn about their experiences navigating and partnering with their child’s school and early educators
3. Reflect upon the 3 Universal Design for Learning Principles (UDL) and apply the UDL principles to provide high-quality teaching and learning environments that support children’s development and allow all children to meet high expectations
Speakers
avatar for Bweikia Foster Steen

Bweikia Foster Steen

Associate Professor, George Mason University
Dr. Bweikia Steen has been involved in the early childhood education field for over 20 years. Currently, she serves as an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. She previously served as Associate professor and the director of the... Read More →
Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
TBA

1:00pm EDT

(In-Person) Dollars and Sense: State and Local Considerations for Leveraging Funds to Support Inclusive Settings
Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
TBA
Making individualized Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) placement decisions by first considering a regular early childhood program is a requirement under IDEA. Join the conversation to explore key data, factors, and leveraging points of your state, district and local community to identify:where children are who are key partners;which policies influence your actions, how funding sources may be used, and a commitment to action to support and expand inclusive opportunities for young children with disabilities. Tools and resources will be shared.
Speakers
Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
TBA

1:00pm EDT

(In-Person) Understanding and Supporting Preschoolers’ Social Development
Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
TBA
In this interactive session, participants will learn about the Teacher Impression Scale (TIS), a 14 item impression scale completed following a 5-mintue center-time observation. The TIS is a practical tool that teachers can use to assess preschool children’s strengths, identify children who may experience challenges with peer social competence skills, and assess progress of children for whom programs have been developed to support peer social competence. Presenters will provide information for how teachers can use the TIS in their settings. Videos will be used for examples for teachers to practice coding the TIS. Discussions will focus on how teachers can use this measure in their own settings. 
Speakers
avatar for Ann Sam

Ann Sam

Senior Research Scientist, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
Ann Sam, PhD, is a senior research scientist, at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. Her research and professional development interests are rooted in her direct experience as a public-school teacher working in preschool and kindergarten classrooms with students with... Read More →
avatar for Stephanie Reszka

Stephanie Reszka

Research Scientist, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
Stephanie Reszka, PhD, is a researcher at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research centers on classroom and school-based interventions for children on the autism spectrum, with current and previous projects... Read More →
Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
TBA

1:00pm EDT

(In-Person) Integrating AI into Higher Education and Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
TBA
This session explores the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education by focusing on the integration of AI into Learning Management Systems (LMS) and higher education settings to ensure that all learners can access and participate fully. Participants will learn how AI can create personalized, inclusive learning experiences that address the unique needs of each and every learner, including multilingual learners and students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Attendees will leave with practical strategies to implement these AI tools responsibly, ensuring they are both inclusive and effective.
Speakers
avatar for Dorentina Dedushaj

Dorentina Dedushaj

Research Coordinator and Instructor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Dorentina is a researcher and educator passionate about inclusive early childhood development and innovative learning. As a Research Coordinator at the Early Learning Lab (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), she manages projects focused on early childhood language development... Read More →
Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
TBA

3:00pm EDT

(In-Person) Assessment Practices that Integrate Cultural and Linguistic Factors for Bilingual Children
Wednesday May 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
TBA
This presentation centers on cultural and linguistic factors for assessing bilingual children. Fundamental components and strategies for framing an assessment that integrates these aspects will be discussed. Specific focus will be given to guiding principles for assessing language and communication skills. Key considerations relevant to working with families of children from bilingual backgrounds will be addressed as well.
Speakers
avatar for Kimberly C. Jenkins

Kimberly C. Jenkins

University of North Carolina at Chapel HIll
Kimberly Jenkins, PhD, CCC-SLP is an assistant professor in the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research interest is the acquisition and development of language in children who are in the process of learning two languages... Read More →
Wednesday May 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
TBA

3:00pm EDT

(In-Person) Breaking Down Silos: Preparing the Early Childhood Workforce through a CDA Apprenticeship Program focused on Inclusion
Wednesday May 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
TBA
Evidence suggests all children prosper in high-quality, inclusive environments, but especially children with disabilities. However, many early educators haven’t been afforded the opportunity to learn evidence-based strategies that put children with disabilities on a path to reaching their full potential. This knowledge enhances children’s future academic and social outcomes, while simultaneously reducing the risk of teacher burnout. Learn about the University of Maryland’s (UMD) Early EdCorp, a Registered Apprenticeship program focused on preparing assistant teachers/paraeducators to leverage inclusive practices while earning their Child Development Associated (CDA) credential. Explore ways to partner with UMD’s Early EdCorp to promote inclusion in your community.
Speakers
avatar for Amanda Schwartz

Amanda Schwartz

Associate Project Director, Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention, University of Maryland at College Park
Amanda Schwartz is the Associate Project Director for the Maryland Early EdCorp Registered Apprenticeship program. She also serves as an instructor for the University of Maryland, College Park dual certification program for future early childhood and early childhood special education... Read More →
avatar for Christy Tirrell-Corbin

Christy Tirrell-Corbin

Executive Director, Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention, University of Maryland at College Park
Dr. Christy Tirrell-Corbin, is a Dean’s Impact Professor and a Clinical Professor of Human Development. She serves as the founding Executive Director of the Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention (CECEI), the Director of the Early Childhood General/Special Educat... Read More →
BB

Beth Boyle

Inclusion Specialist, Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention, University of Maryland at College Park
Dr. Beth Boyle is a Faculty Research Associate at the University of Maryland, Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention. She has a Doctorate in Education, Early Childhood Special Education, and a master's in psychology. Her work has focused on both research and the development... Read More →
Wednesday May 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
TBA

3:00pm EDT

(In-Person) Positive Social Engagement in Early Childhood Classrooms: What Does it Look Like?
Wednesday May 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
TBA
This session aims at presenting current evidence of everyday practices for nurturing peer interactions and supporting positive social engagement in early childhood classrooms. Participants will review recommended practices, watch video clips of classroom implementation, and discuss ways inclusive practices can be individualized to support the diverse learning profiles of children.
Speakers
avatar for Elena Soukakou

Elena Soukakou

Honorary Research Fellow, University of Roehampton, UK
Elena P. Soukakou is an Honorary Research Fellow in the School Education, University of Roehampton, United Kingdom.  She is also a visiting Professor at the Department of Early Childhood Education of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.  Dr. Soukakou has been working... Read More →
DA

Dr. Amy Grattan

Executive Director, Paul V. Sherlock Center On Disabilities Rhode Island College
Amy Grattan, Ph.D., is the executive director of the Sherlock Center on Disabilities. Her work in RI includes serving as a consultant to numerous RI initiatives focused on improving the quality of education for young children; participating and then leading the expansion and revisions... Read More →
Wednesday May 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
TBA
 
Thursday, May 15
 

8:30am EDT

(In-Person) Incorporating Universal Design 3.0 in Coursework and Professional Development
Thursday May 15, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
TBA
2024 revealed the long-awaited updates to the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines, with greater attention to issues early childhood inclusion. This session will start by sharing options for faculty and PD providers to discover, practice, and apply those guidelines in their learning opportunities and assignments. Then it will share examples of ways to help students and learners to learn about and apply UDL principles in their work with children and families.
Speakers
avatar for Camille Catlett

Camille Catlett

Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
avatar for Kelli Odden

Kelli Odden

Professor, Mayville State University
Kelli Odden is a professor of education at Mayville State University.
Thursday May 15, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
TBA

10:15am EDT

(In-Person) Integrating Inclusive STEM Learning in Early Childhood Educators' Coursework and Professional Development
Thursday May 15, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am EDT
TBA
Interested in how to incorporate emphasis on inclusive STEM learning in courses you already teach? Or workshops you already offer? This session will highlight specific strategies for weaving STEM learning and currently required content together. Discover what emphasis on STEM might look like in a course/presentation on language and literacy, family-centered practices, child development, early childhood curriculum, and more.
Speakers
avatar for Jessica Amsbary

Jessica Amsbary

Technical Assistance Specialist, FPG Child Development Institute, UNC Chapel Hill
Dr. Jessica Amsbary is the Program Coordinator of the Early Childhood Intervention and Family Support (ECIFS) Master’s Degree in Education for Experienced Teachers program at UNC-Chapel Hill. She is also a Technical Assistance Specialist at the FPG Child Development Institute where... Read More →
avatar for Sarah Pedonti

Sarah Pedonti

Assistant Professor, Western Carolina University
Dr. Pedonti earned her degree in Child Development from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2008 and M.Ed. in Human Development from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2009. She taught in public early childhood programs and worked in Head Start for 10 years before earning her Ph.D. from UNC-Chapel... Read More →
DH

Donna Harris

Mrs. Harris earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Winthrop University in 2003 and graduated from Western Carolina University with a Master's degree in Birth-Kindergarten education. She has taught in a variety of classroom settings, including working with toddlers... Read More →
Thursday May 15, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am EDT
TBA
 
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