4C Conference Sessions REGISTER NOW Friday Morning | Friday Afternoon | Saturday Morning | Saturday Afternoon Friday 10:30 AM–12:30 PM Classroom Management in an Early Childhood Setting Presented by: Jessica Kappa University of Cincinnati Jessica is a professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Cincinnati. Jessica has a Bachelor's degree in Spanish from the University of Cincinnati and a Master's degree in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy from the University of Dayton. She has 16 years of experience in the early childhood field. She has been a lead teacher in infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms. Jessica also has experience teaching early childhood education courses as an adjunct professor. She currently resides on the west side of Cincinnati with her husband, Michael, and their three children, Eloise, Jude, and Louis. X Jessica Kappa (University of Cincinnati) In this session participants will discuss and practice various research-based strategies and systems that support a well-managed, developmentally appropriate early childhood classroom. Daily schedules, transitions, and managing difficult behaviors are just a few of many topics that we will cover. This session is filled with information that will benefit any early childhood professional. Classroom Strategies to Enhance Executive Function Skills Presented by: Dr. Jenni Jacobs Dr. Jenni Jacobs is a distinguished educator with over two decades of experience in the field of early childhood education. She holds a doctorate in education from the University of Cincinnati with a specialization in online learning. Throughout her career, Dr. Jacobs has been dedicated to helping early care professionals unlock their full potential by offering classes that provide realistic solutions that work. She specializes in behavior management and curriculum. In addition to her professional work, Dr. Jacobs is a sought-after speaker and has presented at numerous state and national conferences. She is also an author, having published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and co-authored a book chapter on teaching vocabulary to students with ASD. Dr. Jacobs is passionate about empowering teachers to lead classrooms that meet children’s social and emotional needs. Her approach is grounded in evidence-based practices, and she is committed to staying at the forefront of educational research and innovation. X Dr. Jenni Jacobs This workshop will review the executive functioning skills of attention, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and working memory. We will cover the definition of each skill along with practical strategies in the classroom that teachers can use to promote positive classroom guidance. From Finger Plays to Path Games, Building Early Math Skills During Play Presented by: Tracy Schnirring 4C for Children Tracy Schnirring is the Team Lead of Quality Programs at 4C for Children in Cincinnati, Ohio where she has been providing coaching to teachers and administrators for the past 9 years. In addition to coaching, Tracy is an Ohio Approved training instructor for various topics and is a Professional Development Specialist for CDA candidates. She has over 25 years of experience in the field and holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Cincinnati. As a former classroom teacher, Tracy’s passion is supporting educators to better understand and implement best practices in ECE. X Tracy Schnirring (4C for Children) During this training, we will unpack the stages and phases of counting and dive into how your planned activities promote early math skills. Join us as we bring math to life for all ages through teacher-made materials. Back to Top From STEM to STEAM: Practical Strategies for Integrating Creativity and the Arts with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Presented by: Dr. Rebecca Howard Dr. Rebecca Howard is an education advocate, school board member, and university instructor. She is the co-author with Mary Mayesky of Creative Activities and Curriculum for Young Children (12th Edition), and is the primary author of the forthcoming 9th revision of Rosalind’s Charlesworth’s Math and Science for Young Children (02025). She provides consultation services to early childhood programs, and professional development trainings for early childhood teachers, caregivers, and administrators. She is a registered trainer with the Ohio Professional Development Network, certified to provide Step Up To Quality and Ohio Approved trainings, and can customize trainings for any early childhood organization. X Dr. Rebecca Howard This workshop will provide participants with an understanding of how “STEAM” adds “Arts” to “STEM,” and will engage participants in exploration, discovery, and practical strategies and ideas for integrating creative STEM activities throughout the curriculum and environment. Impact of COVID-19 Trauma and Toxic Stress on Early Brain Development Presented by: Michelle Swartz Michelle Swartz is a Master level, licensed Independent Social Worker with over twenty years of experience providing mental health services to children birth through eight years of age and their families as a therapist, consultant and educator. She is a trauma-informed provider holding many credentials that support her work including: an Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Professional in the State of Ohio, an Ohio Infant Mental Health Professional – III, a Certified Trainer of Infant Massage – IMUSA, the Brazelton Newborn Observation Certification, a Devereux Center for Resilient Children – Certified Trainer and a Zero to Three Certified Trainer – The Growing Brain and others. Over the past 9 years she has served as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant at Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio serving licensed child care centers, Early Head Start, Help Me Grow and Early Intervention in Butler County, Ohio. In this role Michelle works closely with early childhood providers and families to develop supportive strategies that promote social emotional development and manage challenging behavior of young children. Michelle currently serves as Project Lead for CCR&R Early Childhood Mental Health Expansion Grant for SDA6. As an instructor she is passionate about building the skills of others who serve young children by providing a variety of trainings that educate and offer practical, effective approaches that, when applied, can lead to positive child outcomes. X Michelle Swartz During the COVID-19 pandemic many families of young children experienced chronic stress, such as social isolation, income insecurities, domestic violence, and child abuse causing toxic, traumatic home environments. Participants will learn about COVID Trauma as a Toxic Stress and its impact on early brain development. It is important that Neuro-Developmental Trauma be properly understood and identified early so that children receive the right support from the right people at the right time to ensure positive child outcomes. Let’s Get Interactive: Using Interactive Word Charts in the Preschool Classroom Presented by: Jane Holtgrefe University of Cincinnati Jane has over 30 years of experience in the classroom, teaching kindergarten and preschool in both public and private schools. She holds a master’s degree in education and is a trainer for 4C for Children where she provides various professional development for preschool and school age educators, including CDA classes. Jane is an adjunct professor for the University of Cincinnati’s Online Learning Program where she teaches early chilhood courses and supervises student teachers. She is married and has two adult children. X Jane Holtgrefe (University of Cincinnati) I’ve heard of interactive charts, but what are they exactly? Are they appropriate to use in the preschool classroom? Why use them with my preschoolers? How do I make them? Where do I start?” Come explore the world of interactive charts, and why they are so meaningful to use with our young learners. This training includes how to make interactive charts, how the children will use them and what they will learn as they engage. You will take away lots of examples to use in your own preschool environment. So, let’s get interactive! More Than Words: Defining the Things That Define Leaders Presented by: Drew Dudley Fifteen years ago, Drew Dudley was the head of Canada’s largest leadership program at the University of Toronto when a group of his students secretly nominated him to deliver a TED Talk that went on to be voted one of the "15 Most Inspirational TED Talks of All Time" and gave Drew the opportunity to travel the world trying to redefine leadership for as many people as possible. Now a Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, speaker and educator, Drew is on a mission to help people unlearn some dangerous lessons about leadership. With clients that have included some of the worlds most dynamic organizations—including the United Nations and over 100 colleges and universities—Drew draws on over two decades of experience to blend humor, storytelling and easy-to-implement strategies into some of the most engaging and practical leadership presentations in the world. Both TIME and Business Insider have identified his work as "one of the ten speeches that will make you a better leader." X Drew Dudley Respect, Integrity, Accountability, Honesty: How would you explain what these words mean to someone who had never heard them before? Building on the keynote presentation, this highly interactive session will ask you to engage in a deeper, collective examination of your core leadership values, and push you to better define the way you make judgements and decisions. Neurological Challenges Among Children Presented by: Sherry Martz Brain Balance Centers of Cincinnati Sherry is the owner of Brain Balance Centers of Cincinnati. She began her journey with Brain Balance when her son struggled with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. While her son was attending program Sherry was so amazed by the positive shifts in him that she decided to buy the business. Her son is now 20 years old and a student at the University of Cincinnati in Computer Engineering. Sherry's background is in Business Management, and she spent a year attending Dr. Robert Melillo's course on childhood neurological development. Dr. Robert Melillo created the Brain Balance program and franchised it in 2008, and there are 80+ Brain Balance Centers across the country. X Sherry Martz (Brain Balance Centers of Cincinnati) This session will answer the question as to why children are suffering so much with a variety of neurological conditions that are stunting their abilities to socialize, manage their emotions, behave and control themselves, and are struggling to stay focused and learn. We will review how the brain develops since a child was born, and what is happening in the brain that's causing the neurological conditions. Riddle Dee Dee, Come Rhyme with Me and Other Playful Ways to Increase Phonological Awareness Presented by: Marlo Parlin 4C for Children Marlo Parlin is a Center-based coach and instructor with 4C for Children in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has 16 years of classroom experience as an early childhood educator and holds a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Xavier University. Marlo has been designing, facilitating, and coaching since 2012 on a variety of topics that include: Intentional Teaching, Language Modeling, Emotionally Supportive Interactions, Learning through Play, Understanding the ECERS, the ELDS and Using the Pre-K CLASS to Improve Your Interactions. Recently, she became a certified LENA (Language Environment Analysis) coach and trainer. X Marlo Parlin (4C for Children), Katie Roberts 4C for Children Katie Roberts is a Quality Program Specialist with 4C for Children, who works with administrators and classroom teachers to improve the quality of their child care programs. She has been in the child care field since 2009 and has worked with all ages, infants through school-age. She has been a classroom teacher, summer camp director, center director, and child care operations director. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Child Studies from Miami University, Oxford. X Katie Roberts (4C for Children) Preschool teachers, come learn what phonological awareness is and how you can strengthen these skills with your children through joyful and playful word games, chants, poems, and songs. You will also learn how to connect these intentionally planned experiences to Ohio's Early Learning and Development Standards. Friday 2–4 PM Adapting the Learning Environment to Support Children With Special Needs Presented by: Stephanie Weber University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Steph Weber, PsyD, MPH is an Associate Professor and clinical psychologist at University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center where she serves as the Associate Director and Training Director for the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program and the Community Engagement Co-Lead for Cincinnati Children's Mental and Behavioral Health Institute (MBHI). She is also the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." Ambassador to Ohio and leads the Act Early Ohio state team, where her work focuses on early identification of developmental delays and disabilities. Clinically, Dr. Weber directs Next Step Clinic, a multidisciplinary clinic for preschool-aged children with prenatal opioid exposure. X Stephanie Weber (University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center) This training outlines practical environmental modifications that can be made with children of all ages to enhance learning and social/emotional growth. Building Blocks for Early Literacy: Establishing the Foundations for the Science of Reading in Early Childhod Presented by: Dr. Amy Kronberg University of Dayton Dr. Amy Kronberg brings her background in early childhood education, child development, and play-based strategies to her work at the University of Dayton as well as an early learning consultant with nonprofit organizations. Her work focuses on bringing joyful, playful learning at home with families and in communities. Throughout her career, she has worked on emergent and early literacy strategies for teachers and families through advocacy, playgroups, and community-focused initiatives. She also works to support teachers in building their advocacy voice, engaging in reflective practice, and building early language/literacy skills within the classroom. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, her Masters of Science in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy and her PhD in Educational Leadership and Administration, PreK-12 from the University of Dayton. X Dr. Amy Kronberg (University of Dayton) In this interactive, workshop style training, attendees will reflect on their practice and learn about the critical elements of the Science of Reading present in their existing teaching strategies. We will discuss the five pillars for the Science of Reading--Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Reading Comprehension--through the Simple View of Reading. We will discuss and explore ways to build these skills through the five early literacy practices--Talk, Read, Write, Sing, Play--to support the development of critical skills for all children. From STEM to STEAM: Practical Strategies for Integrating Creativity and the Arts with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Presented by: Dr. Rebecca Howard Dr. Rebecca Howard is an education advocate, school board member, and university instructor. She is the co-author with Mary Mayesky of Creative Activities and Curriculum for Young Children (12th Edition), and is the primary author of the forthcoming 9th revision of Rosalind’s Charlesworth’s Math and Science for Young Children (02025). She provides consultation services to early childhood programs, and professional development trainings for early childhood teachers, caregivers, and administrators. She is a registered trainer with the Ohio Professional Development Network, certified to provide Step Up To Quality and Ohio Approved trainings, and can customize trainings for any early childhood organization. X Dr. Rebecca Howard This workshop will provide participants with an understanding of how “STEAM” adds “Arts” to “STEM,” and will engage participants in exploration, discovery, and practical strategies and ideas for integrating creative STEM activities throughout the curriculum and environment. Growing on the Inside While Outside: Gardening With Children Presented by: Courtney Ryan Discovery Channel Education Team Courtney Ryan has over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and is currently a consultant for the Discovery Channel's education team creating curriculum that inspires educators to go beyond traditional learning. She is also an educator for Miami University's Global Field Program leading Master's students to conversation hotspots around the world to learn solutions for a sustainable planet. She holds workshops around the city to assist educators in using nature as a classroom. She raises children, chickens, veggies, and healing herbs in her backyard. X Courtney Ryan (Discovery Channel Education Team), Lisa Dieso Crescent Ridge Academy Lisa Dieso has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education as a teacher, administrator, and teacher trainer. She is currently the Head of School at Crescent Ridge Academy and Program Director of the school's Teacher Education Program where she teaches the Montessori early childhood science curriculum. She loves spending time outdoors with her family—finding this time is an opportunity to connect with the earth while disconnecting after a long day at school and work. X Lisa Dieso (Crescent Ridge Academy) CommuniTree Consulting once again brings ways for your children to grow on the inside while outside. From developing resilience to social skills, physical activity to healthy eating—gardening with your children is a hands-on way to support whole child development. Come hear the benefits of growing a garden, discuss fun gardening activities, and co-create a garden lesson for your space with this interactive and fun workshop. Mission IN Possible: Using Mission & Vision to Grow A Team That Gets It Presented by: Palmer Jason Good Shepherd Academy Palmer is Co-Owner and Managing Director at Good Shepherd Academy, LLC. He leads a team of 11 employees including both full and part-time staff. Palmer holds a MBA-Finance degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from United Theological Seminary. In addition to his work at Good Shepherd Academy he is the founder and Senior Pastor at Jubilee Community Church in Miamisburg, OH. Palmer serves on the boards of area non-profit ministries in addition to committees and advisory panels with Preschool Promise, Kindergarten Readiness Summit, Groundworks and Greater Dayton Emmaus. Palmer and his wife Lisa recently celebrated 38 years of marriage and have 2 adult children, Ezzy and Preston. X Palmer Jason (Good Shepherd Academy) How do you get your team and coworkers to care as much as you do? What drives your workplace culture? How can you align your personal strengths and mission to accelerate the organization's and your personal success? This session will explore developing a personal and an organizational mission statement that keeps you on track and promotes your program's purpose. Bring the team to this interactive, hands-on workshop that will motivate you to take action. It's time to work on the business, not just in the business. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to get everyone on the same page! Setting Up for Success: Basic Strategies to Create a Positive, Responsive Early Childhood Environment Presented by: Alexa Nunnari Early Childhood Inclusion Center of Excellence Alexa Nunnari is an Inclusion Support Specialist for the Early Childhood Inclusion Center of Excellence. Her professional passion is supporting communication development and family engagement for children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Alexa received her degrees in Deaf Education and Elementary Education from Indiana University of PA. She started her career as a paraprofessional and ESY teacher at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. Prior to coming to OCALI, Alexa was working as a Teacher of the Deaf in Cleveland Metropolitan School District supporting students across multiple classroom settings from ages 3-11. In her free time, she enjoys rugby, paddle boarding, 4-wheeling, and biking with her husband and 4 children. X Alexa Nunnari (Early Childhood Inclusion Center of Excellence) Setting Up for Success will provide participants with strategies to create a positive, responsive early care and education environment. Participants will discuss the importance of consistent, developmentally appropriate, routines, procedures, and expectations. Through a facilitated activity, participants will work to re-frame common strategies and language to use positive language and clear directives when correcting interfering behaviors and teaching new skills. Participants will learn the value of understanding basic child development as it relates to setting expectations and identifying individual needs in the early care and education setting. They Don’t Speak English, But We Are All in This Together: Supporting the Language and Literacy Development of All Children Presented by: Jung-Hwa (Debra) Chin 4C for Children Jung-Hwa (Debra) Chin is a Quality Programs Specialist at 4C for Children in Cincinnati, where she provides coaching to both administrators and teachers. She has 37 years experience as an early childhood educator and holds a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of Cincinnati. Debra has been designing and facilitating workshops on a variety of topics and has published many articles in Chinese to share the most current research studies with ECE professionals in Taiwan. Previously, she worked as a college adjunct faculty, early childhood teacher, ESL teacher, Chinese language instructor, and in various other teaching-related professions. Debra is a Chinese Mandarin-English bilingual who also speaks some Taiwanese and Spanish. Debra has been living in Cincinnati since 1985. Once a year, she visits her family in her home town of Taipei, Taiwan. While traveling, Debra enjoys making connections and interacting with the locals. She likes to hop on local transportation, try the local delicacies, stroll around local bookstores, ask residents for their favorite restaurants and tea/coffee shops, and of course make new friends. X Jung-Hwa (Debra) Chin (4C for Children) As our global village is becoming diverse, more and more young children from diverse linguistic backgrounds have joined us in our ECCE programs. Children in our programs may be learning two or more languages simultaneously. They may be learning English in our programs and another language or languages at home. ECCE professionals are constantly wondering how to accommodate our service to this growing population without major changes to our curriculum or classroom structure. In this workshop, we will discuss the unique learning milestones that dual/multi language learners are going through as they are acquiring a second language. To ensure optimal language learning for all children, ideas for implementation of minor adjustments in developmentally appropriate classrooms will be addressed in this workshop. Together, we will continue our learning to create a supportive environment for all children, while acknowledging the importance of children’s first languages and cultures. In today’s world, we all are engaged in a multilingual world. We may be monolinguals, but we can model our delight in and comfort with the many ways humans communicate that is the very cornerstone of language and literacy development Yogapalooza: Your Magic Wand for Calm Presented by: Candace Rhoill The Little Yogi Candace Rhoill has worked in early childhood education as a lead preschool teacher and later director for over a decade. She has experience working with all ages, ethnicities and socio-economic levels. She has an Associate's degree in ECE and holds a level 3 trauma credential and a kids' yoga certification. She is the owner of The Little Yogi, which was founded in 2023 after seeing the effect that isolation had on the emotions and self-regulation of our youngest students. She began working as a trainer with Yogapalooza after seeing the impact that yoga and mindfulness, facilitated in a developmentally appropriate way, had in her preschool. She is married with 8 kids, 2 dogs and 8 chickens. Her family resides in Saylor Park on the west side of Cincinnati. X Candace Rhoill (The Little Yogi) Learning Outcomes. Define the benefits of yoga and mindfulness practices for young children · Integrate more yoga and mindfulness seamlessly into your daily schedule · Commit to using mindfulness practices to reduce your own stress and enhance your well-being to make you a more effective educator! Ever wish you could wave a magic wand and create instant calm in the classroom? Welcome to Yogapalooza! Even if you can’t touch your toes or don’t have a yoga mat, everyone can relax with a Starfish, go from Silly to Calm, learn dinosaur yoga and more. Yogapalooza has been a leader in calming classrooms and teachers for over a decade. With a hugely popular YouTube channel and hits like Silly to Calm, Fly like a Butterfly, Going on a Dragon Hunt and much more, thousands of teachers enjoy and rely on Yogapalooza every day to engage and calm their children. Featuring a beloved curriculum full of music and effective self-regulation techniques, this is the most fun you can have doing yoga and mindfulness guaranteed. Walk away with wonderful tools that support physical development and give power to the child to control their own emotions. Plus, learn to take it easy on yourself and how to relax in wild times! Backed by science, Yogapalooza is here to help you and your children feel calm and happy. Beginners welcome! Saturday 10:30 AM–12:30 PM Classroom Management in an Early Childhood Setting Presented by: Jessica Kappa University of Cincinnati Jessica is a professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Cincinnati. Jessica has a Bachelor's degree in Spanish from the University of Cincinnati and a Master's degree in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy from the University of Dayton. She has 16 years of experience in the early childhood field. She has been a lead teacher in infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms. Jessica also has experience teaching early childhood education courses as an adjunct professor. She currently resides on the west side of Cincinnati with her husband, Michael, and their three children, Eloise, Jude, and Louis. X Jessica Kappa (University of Cincinnati) In this session participants will discuss and practice various research-based strategies and systems that support a well-managed, developmentally appropriate early childhood classroom. Daily schedules, transitions, and managing difficult behaviors are just a few of many topics that we will cover. This session is filled with information that will benefit any early childhood professional. Let's Talk About Math! Facilitating Early Math Experiences for Infant and Toddlers Presented by: Angie Lance C-HCCAA Angie is a professional development trainer with Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency (C-HCCAA). With a passion for training Early Childhood professionals, she brings 14 years of experience working directly with providers. Before joining C-HCCAA, she previously worked at 4C for Children on their Professional Development Team and as an Early Care and Education Manager for CoStars Early Care and Education Center in Madisonville. Angie holds a degree in Elementary Education from Olivet Nazarene University. X Angie Lance (C-HCCAA), Karen Bundy Karen Bundy has been in Early Childhood Education for 27 years. She has worked as a teacher, administrator, educational coach, and trainer. She graduated from Cincinnati Christian University in 1999 with her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She resides in Georgetown, Ohio with her family. X Karen Bundy Infants and toddlers learn best through play and real-life experiences. Join us to learn how to facilitate meaningful math experiences throughout your day that will lay the foundation for more complex math concepts and skills in the preschool years. Make Learning Fun: Sing and Dance Through Curriculum with Music Presented by: Patty Shukla Miss Patty is a distinguished American singer, songwriter, musician, author, and seasoned keynote speaker, renowned for her expertise in crafting music tailored to early childhood curriculum. With nearly a decade of experience, she has established herself as a leading authority in the field. Her journey began with pioneering work in educational and interactive music videos on YouTube since 2009, captivating millions worldwide on her channel (youtube.com/pattyshukla). With an extensive repertoire of hundreds of songs, Miss Patty's compositions are curriculum-based and cover all learning domains for early childhood education, with a particular emphasis on literacy, fine, and gross motor skills. As a devoted parent of three, she finds daily inspiration from her children, which serves as the driving force behind her passion for enhancing educational experiences through the power of music. X Patty Shukla This interactive session focuses on transition songs and music that fits with your lesson plans. Managing the Insanity: Classroom Management for Infant/Toddler Classrooms Presented by: Jennifer Glass Jennifer Glass has a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies from Freed Hardeman University in Tennessee. For the past 15 years she has worked in child care/education in various capacities, including as a nanny for 4 families, an infant/toddler teacher, and a coach for preschool teachers (assisting with lesson planning, classroom setup, and behavior management.) She has worked with families from 7 different countries, children with medical needs, and children with differing abilities. Since 2017, Jennifer has been a professional development coach with 4C for Children and has written several trainings for early childhood professionals. In her spare time she develops curriculum and trains teachers for the Bible class program at her church. She loves to travel and spend time with her husband, daughter, and 2 dogs. X Jennifer Glass Have you ever juggled clowns while driving a broken school bus full of racoons down a gravel mountain road, while trying to sing Old McDonald? If so, you know what it’s like to be an infant/toddler teacher! In this training, we will discuss how to meet the individual needs of all of our youngest students, while maintaining daily routines, keeping an organized classroom, and finding calm in the chaos. Neurological Challenges Among Children Presented by: Sherry Martz Brain Balance Centers of Cincinnati Sherry is the owner of Brain Balance Centers of Cincinnati. She began her journey with Brain Balance when her son struggled with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. While her son was attending program Sherry was so amazed by the positive shifts in him that she decided to buy the business. Her son is now 20 years old and a student at the University of Cincinnati in Computer Engineering. Sherry's background is in Business Management, and she spent a year attending Dr. Robert Melillo's course on childhood neurological development. Dr. Robert Melillo created the Brain Balance program and franchised it in 2008, and there are 80+ Brain Balance Centers across the country. X Sherry Martz (Brain Balance Centers of Cincinnati) This session will answer the question as to why children are suffering so much with a variety of neurological conditions that are stunting their abilities to socialize, manage their emotions, behave and control themselves, and are struggling to stay focused and learn. We will review how the brain develops since a child was born, and what is happening in the brain that's causing the neurological conditions. Opening the Window to A Diverse World-Embrace Social Studies in the ECCE Classroom Presented by: Jung-Hwa (Debra) Chin 4C for Children Jung-Hwa (Debra) Chin is a Quality Programs Specialist at 4C for Children in Cincinnati, where she provides coaching to both administrators and teachers. She has 37 years experience as an early childhood educator and holds a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of Cincinnati. Debra has been designing and facilitating workshops on a variety of topics and has published many articles in Chinese to share the most current research studies with ECE professionals in Taiwan. Previously, she worked as a college adjunct faculty, early childhood teacher, ESL teacher, Chinese language instructor, and in various other teaching-related professions. Debra is a Chinese Mandarin-English bilingual who also speaks some Taiwanese and Spanish. Debra has been living in Cincinnati since 1985. Once a year, she visits her family in her home town of Taipei, Taiwan. While traveling, Debra enjoys making connections and interacting with the locals. She likes to hop on local transportation, try the local delicacies, stroll around local bookstores, ask residents for their favorite restaurants and tea/coffee shops, and of course make new friends. X Jung-Hwa (Debra) Chin (4C for Children) Children are born into social studies. From birth, they begin exploring their world. At each stage of early development—infant, toddler, preschool, and primary—children look around and try to make sense of their social and physical environments. They gradually learn more about their expanding community and eventually come to see themselves as citizens. Are you uncertain about what social studies actually looks like in action in an early childhood classroom? In this workshop, we will discuss the definition of social studies, and how it applies to the daily ECE classroom. We will practice by using a couple of social studies standard statements from Ohio's ELDS as examples to incorporate learning into the ECE classroom. Together, we, along with children, will continue inquiring and pondering our understanding in social studies as we explore how people interact in the world. Problem Solving: 6 Steps for Conflict Resolution Presented by: Lance Reed Highscope Educational Research Foundation Lance Reed is an Early Childhood and Assessment Consultant at Highscope Educational Research Foundation. Lance has both a bachelor's and master's degree in Early Childhood Education and Educational Leadership and a decade of successful experience in encouraging and nurturing individuals and organizations that aspire to deliver high-quality early childhood experiences. Lance specializes in early childhood development and regularly presents at local and national conferences to showcase new resourceful, individualized, and diverse ideas. A stronger believer in the impact of your work is most evident in the lives you change. Lance enjoys teaching and guiding others who have the same passion to work with young children and their families. X Lance Reed (Highscope Educational Research Foundation) Conflicts inevitably arise between children in the classroom, and these situations provide excellent learning opportunities to teach conflict resolution and problem solving. This session will help participants understand and recognize children’s different perspectives in conflict situations and use HighScope©'s six steps of conflict resolution. Social Emotional Learning and Conflict Resolution in the Early Childhood Classroom Presented by: Jamie Minniear Community Montessori School Jamie is the founder and leading visionary of Community Montessori School. She also trains teachers as well as works in the 3-6 and 6-9 year-old classrooms full-time. Jamie grew up in West Chester, Ohio, graduated from Lakota High School, and went on to graduate from the University of Cincinnati in 1991 with an Elementary Education Degree. She worked in a public school setting for 4 years in West Virginia before staying home with her sons. In 2003, she received her 3-6 Montessori certificate from Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education. Jamie believes children are born learners with natural curiosity and her work is to support children in their growth and development through appropriate, engaging, and rich environments. X Jamie Minniear (Community Montessori School) Attendees will learn strategies and leave with practical tools and perspectives that are supported with brain and child development that will support and develop emotional regulation, communication and maturity in your early childhood children/students. Tell Me More - The Power of Storytelling! Presented by: Sue Stanford Every day is an opportunity to "grow the good" within our students and ourselves. Building a welcoming and engaging environment is how Sue Stanford aims to draw participants into meaningful language and literacy events. In her 25 years as administrator and teacher of preschool students, she has strived to develop early childhood education language and literacy through participant interaction and developing the tools we all possess within ourselves. Sue also used and promoted these tools as an adjunct instructor to post-secondary students in the Early Childhood Education field at North Central State College located in Mansfield, Ohio. Sue received her Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Ohio State University as well as her Master's in Education (Curriculum and Teaching) from Bowling Green State University. She has served as a member of the Early Childhood Education Advisory Board for North Central State College. She currently serves on the board of trustees at Marvin Memorial Library. Her preschool facility was named "Provider of the Year" in 2021 by the YWCA CCRR (Toledo region). Sue aims to provide conference participants with a memorable experience as well as ideas and resources which can be meaningfully applied in the classroom! X Sue Stanford This workshop will provide an opportunity to increase student attention and participation during story/circle time. Using "hands-on" and engaging ideas, participants will acquire applicable methods to develop early education language and literacy skills. Yogapalooza: Your Magic Wand for Calm Presented by: Candace Rhoill The Little Yogi Candace Rhoill has worked in early childhood education as a lead preschool teacher and later director for over a decade. She has experience working with all ages, ethnicities and socio-economic levels. She has an Associate's degree in ECE and holds a level 3 trauma credential and a kids' yoga certification. She is the owner of The Little Yogi, which was founded in 2023 after seeing the effect that isolation had on the emotions and self-regulation of our youngest students. She began working as a trainer with Yogapalooza after seeing the impact that yoga and mindfulness, facilitated in a developmentally appropriate way, had in her preschool. She is married with 8 kids, 2 dogs and 8 chickens. Her family resides in Saylor Park on the west side of Cincinnati. X Candace Rhoill (The Little Yogi) Learning Outcomes. Define the benefits of yoga and mindfulness practices for young children · Integrate more yoga and mindfulness seamlessly into your daily schedule · Commit to using mindfulness practices to reduce your own stress and enhance your well-being to make you a more effective educator! Ever wish you could wave a magic wand and create instant calm in the classroom? Welcome to Yogapalooza! Even if you can’t touch your toes or don’t have a yoga mat, everyone can relax with a Starfish, go from Silly to Calm, learn dinosaur yoga and more. Yogapalooza has been a leader in calming classrooms and teachers for over a decade. With a hugely popular YouTube channel and hits like Silly to Calm, Fly like a Butterfly, Going on a Dragon Hunt and much more, thousands of teachers enjoy and rely on Yogapalooza every day to engage and calm their children. Featuring a beloved curriculum full of music and effective self-regulation techniques, this is the most fun you can have doing yoga and mindfulness guaranteed. Walk away with wonderful tools that support physical development and give power to the child to control their own emotions. Plus, learn to take it easy on yourself and how to relax in wild times! Backed by science, Yogapalooza is here to help you and your children feel calm and happy. Beginners welcome! Saturday 2–4 PM The ABC's of Apples, Bananas, and Carrots: The Importance of Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings Presented by: LaToya Dixon First Fruits Child Care Limited LaToya Dixon holds a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from the University of Cincinnati and has been working in the field of early childhood for more than 13 years. Her experience in the field consists of direct service with infants, toddlers and preschoolers as a teacher, a family child care coach, and a CDA Professional Development Specialist for family child care providers. Currently she owns First Fruits Child Care Limited where she supports families by providing an integrated approach to early childhood educational experiences and parent, family, and community engagement. LaToya is dedicated and passionate about her work and involvement in the child care field. She holds her Pre-Kindergarten Associate teaching license, and has delivered numerous professional development trainings to early childhood educators to enhance the foundation of learning for children and their families. X LaToya Dixon (First Fruits Child Care Limited) Nutrition is important for the healthy development and growth of all children. In this training, participants will examine what the nutritional needs of children are and how early childhood educators can provide healthier options to support desired results, outcomes, and learning expectations of children. It provides positive strategies to help support the learning, development, and well-being of children in early childhood education environments. Beyond Baby Shark: Embracing Diverse Family Structures Presented by: Lydia Bowers Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency Lydia Bowers is an author and educator who, after almost two decades working directly with young children as a classroom teacher, is passionate about making difficult topics accessible to children, families, and educators. After receiving her master’s degree in early childhood education from Erikson Institute, Lydia joined the Head Start family as a Professional Development Manager with Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency. Her children's book series, We Say What's Okay, focused on consent foundations for preschoolers, is available now from Free Spirit Publishing. X Lydia Bowers (Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency) Not every family has Baby Shark, Mommy Shark, and Daddy Shark! In order to be welcoming and supportive of all children in our care, we need to evaluate how we are welcoming and supporting families. In this session, participants will practice ways to evaluate programs and classrooms and gain resources for making your space safe for all families. Building Blocks for Early Literacy: Establishing the Foundations for the Science of Reading in Early Childhood Presented by: Dr. Amy Kronberg University of Dayton Dr. Amy Kronberg brings her background in early childhood education, child development, and play-based strategies to her work at the University of Dayton as well as an early learning consultant with nonprofit organizations. Her work focuses on bringing joyful, playful learning at home with families and in communities. Throughout her career, she has worked on emergent and early literacy strategies for teachers and families through advocacy, playgroups, and community-focused initiatives. She also works to support teachers in building their advocacy voice, engaging in reflective practice, and building early language/literacy skills within the classroom. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, her Masters of Science in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy and her PhD in Educational Leadership and Administration, PreK-12 from the University of Dayton. X Dr. Amy Kronberg (University of Dayton) In this interactive, workshop style training, attendees will reflect on their practice and learn about the critical elements of the Science of Reading present in their existing teaching strategies. We will discuss the five pillars for the Science of Reading--Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Reading Comprehension--through the Simple View of Reading. We will discuss and explore ways to build these skills through the five early literacy practices--Talk, Read, Write, Sing, Play--to support the development of critical skills for all children. Feelings, Feelings, All Around! Exploring Social Emotional Development Through a DEI Lens Presented by: Dr. Chenelle Price LIMBright Education Dr. Chenelle B. Price is the founder of LIMBright Education which specializes in Educational Consulting, Professional Development and Youth Empowerment. As a Pastor, Author, Educator, Certified Life Coach, Women's Empowerment Influencer, and Motivational Speaker, she has influenced lives internationally. As alumni of Hughes Center High School, Dr. Price has given back to her Alma Mater by sponsoring high school graduates and providing scholarships to students pursuing higher education through the LIMBright Scholarship Foundation. She received her bachelor's at Union Institute & University in Early Childhood Studies. She then furthered her education and received her Masters in Teaching at Liberty University and returned to Union Institute & University to obtain her Ph.D in Interdisciplinary Studies in Education. For her impact in education and the communities, Dr. Price has been featured in numerous magazines with global reach and is the recipient of the following awards: SWOAEYC's (the Southwest Ohio Chapter of NAEYC) 2021 DEI Advocate of the Year Award; Millennial Monument Award; 2021 Eugene S. Ruehlmann Social Justice Fellowship. Dr. Price currently serves as a SWOAEYC Board member, an Educator at IDEA Valley View and teaches Behavioral Science courses at the University of Cincinnati. X Dr. Chenelle Price (LIMBright Education) Connecting Social-Emotional Development with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for young children can foster a nurturing and inclusive environment, promoting empathy, social diversity and emotional awareness. Throughout our exploration of this powerful intersection, we will discover practical strategies for creating culturally responsive social-emotional environments tailored to young children's needs. Integrative Complexity: Creating Connections in Conflict Presented by: Lindsay Green Ohio School Wellness Initiative Lindsay Green, M.Ed., is an enthusiastic lifelong learner who embraces the joy of education and prioritizes the need for overall health and wellness. She is continually exploring new research and insights in education and mental health, aiming to enhance her own practices while inspiring others to do the same. Lindsay holds a license as a K-12 Intervention Specialist and serves as an Ohio Approved Professional Registry Trainer. She is a PBIS Master Trainer along with several other training certifications and is an Ohio Infant Mental Health Practitioner (OIMPH-III). With two decades of experience, Lindsay has worked with children and families in various roles, including as a Kindergarten Teacher, Intervention Specialist (2nd grade), Home Childcare Provider, and Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant. In her current role as a Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator through Miami University's Ohio School Wellness Initiative, she is dedicated to helping others see relationship-building as the foundation of education. Lindsay is committed to creating spaces where children, caregivers, and educators have access to exceptional services and positive experiences that foster the overall growth and development of children. X Lindsay Green (Ohio School Wellness Initiative) Can we challenge ourselves to accept viewpoints different from our own? In this session we will explore how we can create psychologically safe relationships that allow us to respectfully disagree with others. Reflecting on our practices of empathy and compassion especially in disagreements will grow our connections to ourselves and others. We will continue our conversation on emotional language to identify how to cultivate meaningful relationships especially following times of uncertainty or trauma. Managing the Insanity: Classroom Management for Infant/Toddler Classrooms Presented by: Jennifer Glass Jennifer Glass has a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies from Freed Hardeman University in Tennessee. For the past 15 years she has worked in child care/education in various capacities, including as a nanny for 4 families, an infant/toddler teacher, and a coach for preschool teachers (assisting with lesson planning, classroom setup, and behavior management.) She has worked with families from 7 different countries, children with medical needs, and children with differing abilities. Since 2017, Jennifer has been a professional development coach with 4C for Children and has written several trainings for early childhood professionals. In her spare time she develops curriculum and trains teachers for the Bible class program at her church. She loves to travel and spend time with her husband, daughter, and 2 dogs. X Jennifer Glass Have you ever juggled clowns while driving a broken school bus full of racoons down a gravel mountain road, while trying to sing Old McDonald? If so, you know what it’s like to be an infant/toddler teacher! In this training, we will discuss how to meet the individual needs of all of our youngest students, while maintaining daily routines, keeping an organized classroom, and finding calm in the chaos. Mission IN Possible: Using Mission & Vision to Grow A Team That Gets It Presented by: Palmer Jason Good Shepherd Academy Palmer is Co-Owner and Managing Director at Good Shepherd Academy, LLC. He leads a team of 11 employees including both full and part-time staff. Palmer holds a MBA-Finance degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from United Theological Seminary. In addition to his work at Good Shepherd Academy he is the founder and Senior Pastor at Jubilee Community Church in Miamisburg, OH. Palmer serves on the boards of area non-profit ministries in addition to committees and advisory panels with Preschool Promise, Kindergarten Readiness Summit, Groundworks and Greater Dayton Emmaus. Palmer and his wife Lisa recently celebrated 38 years of marriage and have 2 adult children, Ezzy and Preston. X Palmer Jason (Good Shepherd Academy) How do you get your team and coworkers to care as much as you do? What drives your workplace culture? How can you align your personal strengths and mission to accelerate the organization's and your personal success? This session will explore developing a personal and an organizational mission statement that keeps you on track and promotes your program's purpose. Bring the team to this interactive, hands-on workshop that will motivate you to take action. It's time to work on the business, not just in the business. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to get everyone on the same page! Refilling Your Cup: How to Increase the Flow of Positive Energy and Resilience While Creating a Culture of Self-Care in the Workplace Presented by: Andrea Jackson 4C for Children Andrea has her bachelor's in early childhood education through Indiana Wesleyan University. She has been in the early childhood field for 11 years. She started in the field as an assistant teacher and obtained her CDA. She has a passion for learning and teaching about social emotional learning through the use and understanding of conscious discipline. She is married and has three children, who were her biggest inspiration for understanding the importance of social emotional learning and development in early childhood. X Andrea Jackson (4C for Children), Joyce Wilson 4C for Children Joyce has been in the early childhood education field since 2005. She began her career working as a toddler teacher and gradually over the years taught all age groups. After 15 years in the classroom, she became an administrator. She has always loved working with children and believes early childhood is a critical developmental period. These early experiences build a strong foundation and sense of self. Her mission is to coach, train and equip educators to create quality and safe learning opportunities to support children's development. Joyce joined 4C for Children in July 2023 where she is currently fulfilling this mission. X Joyce Wilson (4C for Children) Are you feeling depleted and in need of a “refill”? If you’re trying to pour from an empty cup, then this training is for you! Come learn about the benefits, and how you can lead the way in creating a culture of self-care at the workplace. Participants will leave this session with an intentional action plan and enlightened communication skills that increase positivity. Social Emotional Learning and Conflict Resolution in the Early Childhood Classroom Presented by: Jamie Minniear Community Montessori School Jamie is the founder and leading visionary of Community Montessori School. She also trains teachers as well as works in the 3-6 and 6-9 year-old classrooms full-time. Jamie grew up in West Chester, Ohio, graduated from Lakota High School, and went on to graduate from the University of Cincinnati in 1991 with an Elementary Education Degree. She worked in a public school setting for 4 years in West Virginia before staying home with her sons. In 2003, she received her 3-6 Montessori certificate from Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education. Jamie believes children are born learners with natural curiosity and her work is to support children in their growth and development through appropriate, engaging, and rich environments. X Jamie Minniear (Community Montessori School) Attendees will learn strategies and leave with practical tools and perspectives that are supported with brain and child development that will support and develop emotional regulation, communication and maturity in your early childhood children/students. Supporting Children Where They Live & Learn: Triple P and PECE Presented by: Lisa Golden Triple P America Lisa Golden MSSA, LISW-S is a skilled clinician, program administrator, and trainer with more than 20 years of experience working with children, families, and professionals. She currently works as an Implementation Consultant at Triple P America, supporting programs across the country in implementing evidence-based parenting interventions and professional development opportunities for early childhood educators. Lisa recently held a position at the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) leading the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Initiative "The Whole Child Matters." In this role, Lisa coordinated statewide programs and services to promote the mental health and wellness of infants, young children, and the adults that care for them. Prior to joining OhioMHAS, Lisa provided a range of treatment and prevention services for over a decade at Nationwide Children’s Behavioral Health. As a therapist, focusing on clinical interventions to mitigate the impact of adverse experiences in childhood and as a supervisor, supporting services to promote children’s mental wellbeing. Lisa led the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Team that provided evidence-based classroom consultation and training to early childhood programs across Central Ohio. Additionally, Lisa aided in the development and implementation of the Ohio Preschool Expulsion Prevention Partnership, a statewide hotline aimed at reducing expulsion in early childhood settings. An engaging speaker and trainer, she uses her bold personality and experiences to bring about dynamic conversations on topics related to diversity, children’s mental health, and adult wellness. X Lisa Golden (Triple P America) Adults play a significant role in the lives of young children, particularly when helping them develop positive relationships, encourage appropriate behavior, and learn important skills needed for kindergarten and beyond. When addressing ways to manage problem behavior, it is imperative that adults use consistent approaches that can be easily used at home and in an early learning setting.