Best Practices for High-Quality Instruction and Implementation of the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines
Sylina Valdez, Rebecca Matz • FOUNDERS I

This session will provide practical strategies for high-quality implementation of the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines while also reviewing key changes of the guidelines that will impact classroom instruction through the lens of developmentally appropriate best practices.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Coaches/Trainers/Mentors, Administrators/Directors
Practitioner Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards

Relationship-Based Care: Exploring Primary Caregiving and Continuity of Care
Molly Dye • FOUNDERS II

Infants are wired to learn and thrive through ongoing, securely attached relationships. In this session, we will explore ways to model an infant and toddler program to best meet the attachment and developmental needs of infants and toddlers. We will explore several different models of caregiving and examine teacher satisfaction when relationships are placed at the center of an infant and toddler program design.

Best fit for: Infant/Toddler Teachers, Administrators/Directors, Coaches/Mentors/Trainers
Practitioner Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance
Administrator Core Competency Area 6: Instituting Family and Community-Centered Programming

We’re in This Together: Strategies for Building and Maintaining a High Performing Team
Dawn Adams • FOUNDERS III

Team is about more than co-workers doing a job together, reporting to the same manager, or working for the same company. A true team is about shared vision, trust, cohesiveness, interdependence, and connectedness. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to build and maintain your own high-performing team. Participants receive strategies and tools to implement in their centers.

Best fit for: Administrators/Directors
Administrator Core Competency Area 3: Human Resource Leadership and Development

Handouts:

• Team Assessment
• Personal Action Plan
• Top Tips Template

Sanitation Station
Lucy Martinez • FOUNDERS IV

Having a clean early childcare center is essential to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for the teachers and the families served. With the COVID-19 pandemic, a focus was put on sanitary practices of early childcare centers to reduce the spread of COVID-19 but also to reduce the spread of other common viruses, such as the common cold and the flu. In this session, we will review the necessary practices set forth by local health officials to maintain sanitary practices in the area where we eat, play, and learn.

Best fit for: Infant/Toddler Teachers, Pre-K/K Teachers, Administrators/Directors
Practitioner Core Competency Practitioners – Area 8: Health, Safety, and Nutrition

Bringing the Outside In!
Patricia Vargas, Katie Childs • CHAMPIONS I

You know the importance of outdoor play. But have you considered bringing it inside? Join us as we discover ways to interact with natural materials to learn, grow, and develop. We will discuss ways to bring natural materials into your infant, toddler, or preschool classrooms.

Best fit for: Infant/Toddler Teachers, Pre-K/K Teachers
Practitioner Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development
Practitioner Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development

Texas Infant-Toddler Specialist Network
Cathy Guttentag, PhD • CHAMPIONS II

By invitation only. The Texas ITSN offers professional development opportunities and collaborative experiences for Specialists.

Best fit for: Specialists, Coaches/Mentors/Trainers
Practitioner Core Competency Area 9: Professionalism and Ethics

All About Pre-K Assessment & Guidelines Alignment
Natalie Flores, Mike Mesa, PhD • CHAMPIONS III

Are you curious about how assessment tools are made? Do you ever wonder how the questions are developed or how the benchmarks are determined? In this session, we will explore assessment design, development, and research to answer some of your most frequently asked questions. Our staff and faculty at CLI will take you behind the scenes to learn about how we develop high-quality, evidence-based assessments for Pre-K aged children. We will also take time to explore how tools like CIRCLE Progress Monitoring align to the new Texas Pre-K Guidelines, and how we keep our research updated to reflect current standards and student populations.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Coaches/Trainers/Mentors, Administrators/Directors
Practitioner Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development

Toilet Learning vs. Toilet Training
Jerri Thompson • CHAMPIONS V

The key to successful toileting begins with a toilet learning practice that is developmentally appropriate. This training will clearly spell out the difference between the practice of toilet learning and toilet training.

Best fit for: Infant/Toddler Teachers
Practitioner Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development

Handout: Signs of Readiness Checklist

Building a Foundation With Our Youngest Learners Through Oral Language
Heather Varon, Juan Pablo Lugo • CHAMPIONS VI

Oral language can enhance the developmental stages of writing in emergent writers. This session will discuss different strategies that can be immediately implemented into the classroom through word play, telling stories orally, creating songs and poetry, using wordless picture books, dictation, and encouraging drawing and labeling during play.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers
Practitioner Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development

Supporting Multilingual Young Children’s Language Development from School and Home
Xuan Li, Hatsuki Nara • CHAMPIONS VII

The presentation addresses curriculum, classroom environment, home literacy, and multimedia literacy in supporting multilingual young children’s language development.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers
Practitioner Core Competency Area 6: Diversity and Dual Language Learners

Strategies to Support Bilingual Pre-K Children
Awais Mahmood, M.Ed. • FOUNDERS I

Join us for a language and literacy focused training to support your emergent bilingual students in Pre-K. The session will demonstrate fun and easy strategies that make learning purposeful and playful using the CIRCLE curriculum.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Administrators/Directors
Practitioner Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards

Challenging Behaviors
Eva Calandra Villareal • FOUNDERS II

In this session, we we will review different types of behaviors displayed by children and the message they may be attempting to communicate. With this information, we will create action plans that support the child’s development. Participants will walk away with strategies to implement immediately.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Administrators/Directors
Practitioner Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance

Teaching Together: Supporting Families with STEM at Home
Dana DeMaster, PhD, Tricia Zucker, PhD • FOUNDERS III

Participants will gain knowledge and a set of hands-on family engagement resources to improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning at home. Parents are children’s first and most important teachers. They also have unique opportunities to explore science and math with their child. By hosting STEM events, you can help families learn to have STEM-focused and inquisitive conversations during playful and routine home activities.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers
Practitioner Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance
Practitioner Core Competency Area 7: Family and Community Relationships

Planning and Creating Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms
Erron Huey • FOUNDERS IV

This training’s purpose is to help professionals working with young children understand requirements, benefits, processes, and available resources related to creating and providing inclusive classrooms and care. It was created as part of a partnership between Texas Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) and Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) Child Care and Early Learning Division. Specific strategies and additional resources are provided for teachers, caregivers, and planners.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Infant/Toddler Teachers, Administrators/Directors
Practitioner Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards
Practitioners – Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development

Interested in Earning a CDA Credential?
Devona Martin, Laura Prendergast • CHAMPIONS I

This session will provide an overview of the process for Infant, Toddler, and Pre-K Educators to earn a nationally recognized Child Development Associates Credential. We will review the process and outline the beginning steps for working towards a CDA. We will also discuss the new CLI Registered Apprenticeship Program!

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Infant/Toddler Teachers, Administrators/Directors
Practitioner Core Competency Area 9: Professionalism and Ethics

Making the Most of Your TECPDS Account
Tracy Anne Jones, EdD • CHAMPIONS II

Did you know that TECPDS can support you with keeping track of your professional development, creating and sending training certificates, and looking at your career pathways? Come learn some tips and techniques for entering complete data so that it is more easily verified, and learn how to use the free tools to make this process simpler for all.

Best fit for: All
Practitioner Core Competency Area 9: Professionalism and Ethics

Best Practices for High-Quality Instruction and Implementation of the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines
Sylina Valdez, Rebecca Matz • CHAMPIONS III

This session will provide practical strategies for high-quality implementation of the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines while also reviewing key changes of the guidelines that will impact classroom instruction through the lens of developmentally appropriate best practices. Please note, this is a repeat session.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Coaches/Trainers/Mentors, Administrators/Directors
Practitioner Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards

Classroom Inclusion Strategies for Children with Features of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Cathy Guttentag, PhD • CHAMPIONS V

The latest data show that 1 in 36 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and many teachers will have a child with suspected or diagnosed autism in their classrooms. This presentation will review behaviors commonly seen in children with autism and inclusion strategies that teachers and administrators can use to support these young children and their families.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Infant/Toddler Teachers, Administrators/Directors, Coaches/Mentors/Trainers
Practitioner Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development
Practitioner Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance

Handouts:

• Inclusion Strategies for Autism
• The Science and Joy of Play

Developing Comprehension Super Powers in Early Literacy
Venita Johnson • CHAMPIONS VI

The focus on the new STAAR assessment centers around the integration of reading and writing skills. As early childhood educators, we set the foundational skills for this integration. In this session, you will learn about fun best practices that will support the development of helping our students develop their ability to make and describe a personal connection, respond to a text, and retell the events of a text in oral, pictorial, and written forms.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Coaches/Trainers/Mentors
Practitioner Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development

Our Voice Our World: How to Use Culturally Diverse Books in the Academic Classroom
Delilah Gonzales, Ingrid Hayes • CHAMPIONS VII

A recent study indicated over 75% of early learners are exposed to books in which they do not see culturally diverse characters. Traditionally, these books include animals or people not representing culturally diverse children as a major character. Hence, it is important that we are intentional in selecting books with realistic and positive depictions of the diverse ethnic groups that make up our community, society, and the world in which we live. These books should also be integrated in daily lessons to produce developmentally appropriate learning opportunities.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Administrators/Directors
Practitioner Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards

How to Cultivate Children Positive Behavior Before Planting ABCs and 123s
Dr. Beverly Ashley, Dr. David Fridie II • FOUNDERS I

In order to have a FUN, healthy, happy, and successful well managed classroom, the caregiver should first cultivate each child’s positive social emotional development before teaching the content areas. When children are taught how to cope with their emotions and regulate their behavior it promotes high self esteem which encourages them to want to learn any skill and/or task.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Infant/Toddler Teachers, Administrators/Directors
Practitioner Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance
Administrators Core Competency Area 5: Implementing a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum and Environment

Read Aloud: How to Take the Next Step
Francisco Razo, Sarai Reyes • FOUNDERS II

During this session participants will reflect on their own read-aloud practices, observe proficient models of read-alouds, choose their areas of opportunity, and rehearse their improved practice with feedback and support.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Infant/Toddler Teachers 
Practitioner Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development

The Cost of Employee Absenteeism and Tardiness: Solutions for Employers
Coleen Walker • FOUNDERS III

Are you looking for solutions to combat the costly issue of employee absenteeism and tardiness? These challenges can lead to decreased productivity, low morale, and increased expenses for your organization. However, there are proactive steps you can take, such as incentivizing good attendance and punctuality, providing resources and support for struggling employees, and fostering a positive work environment. We will share insights and effective strategies for addressing these issues and empower you with actionable solutions.

Best fit for: Administrators/Directors, Coaches/Mentors/Trainers
Practitioner Core Competency Area 9: Professionalism and Ethics
Administrator Core Competency Area 3: Human Resource Leadership and Development

Come on Board: Pre-K Science
Catherine Mendoza, Kattya Barrera • FOUNDERS IV

Participants will explore five engaging science activities from the CIRCLE Activity Collection Pre-K and reflect on how to take action in a preschool classroom.

Best fit for: Infant/Toddler Teachers, Pre-K/K Teachers, Administrators/Directors
Practitioner Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development
Practitioner Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development

I’m Not Terrible, I’m Just In A Mood: The Key Essentials for Teachers to Build Self-Regulation Skills in Toddlers
Ebone O’Neill, Laura Arredondo • CHAMPIONS I

Toddler teachers will explore the key behaviors and teaching strategies to support children’s regulation and will practice applying specific strategies in the classroom.

Best fit for: Infant/Toddler Teachers
Practitioner Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development
Practitioner Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance

Career Pathway and Texas Core Competencies
Tracy Anne Jones, EdD, Natalie Flores • CHAMPIONS II

This is a TEPCDS Focus Group session on Career Pathways and the Texas Core Competencies.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Infant/Toddler Teachers, Administrators/Directors
Practitioner Core Competency Area 9: Professionalism and Ethics

Pre-K Partnerships
Stephanie Bonnet-Kramer, Stephanie Phipps • CHAMPIONS III

Prekindergarten (Pre-K) partnerships are collaborations between public schools and early learning programs to provide high-quality Pre-K to eligible 3- and 4-year-olds. The expansion of Pre-K partnerships is supported by locally employed Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) staff across the state. TWC Pre-K Partnership Specialists work directly with school districts/charter schools and child care programs to engage in partnership opportunities. Engagement is based on local needs and can include: informing potential partners, facilitating the match of potential partners, brokering discussions between partners, and providing peer-learning opportunities. Presenters will provide an update on the status of Pre-K partnership expansion efforts and discuss how attendees can participate. Audience Q&A will be offered.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Coaches/Trainers/Mentors, Administrators/Directors
Administrator Core Competency Area 1: Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization

Navigating Tough Talks with Families
Amy Lerman • CHAMPIONS V

We have all been in a parent meeting that involved hard to hear news. Either we avoid the uncomfortable conversation, make mistakes in the delivery, or conduct a thoughtful and empathetic dialogue. This session will provide participants with tools to navigate tough talks with first-hand accounts, research, and clinical experience.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Infant/Toddler Teachers, Administrators/Directors, Coaches/Mentors/Trainers
Practitioner Core Competency Area 7: Family and Community Relationships
Administrator Core Competency Area 4: Maintaining a Healthy and Safe Environment

New Kindergarten Classroom Environment Checklist and the Pre-K Classroom Environment Checklist
Mike Mesa, PhD • CHAMPIONS VI

Did you know that there is a new Classroom Environment Checklist (CEC) for Kindergarten? This session will review the Kinder and Pre-K CEC tools that provide an opportunity for early educators to assess their own classroom environment and learn how to use the results of the CECs to improve the quality of the classroom environment.

Best fit for: Pre-K/K Teachers, Administrators/Directors
Practitioner Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards

El InGenio en la botella (The Genie in the Bottle)
Viry Nieto, Mildred Bautista • CHAMPIONS VII

Estaremos hablando de la importancia de la exploración sensorial con los infantes y los niños pequeños, además de analizar la curiosidad en los niños. Los asistentes estarán participando en conversaciones cruciales acerca de cómo trabajan estas habilidades de exploración en sus propios salones. Podrán recolectar nuevas ideas de actividades de exploración sensorial de las cuatro áreas de aprendizaje.

Best fit for: Infant/Toddler Teachers, Coaches/Mentors/Trainers
Practitioner Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development
Practitioner Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development

Handout: El InGenio en la botella