Sara's Schedule @ DEC's 32nd Annual International Conference

Sara Says: I am so excited to be attending this year's DEC conference at The Galt House in Louisville, KY! This will be my first year attending. My President-Elect, Alleiah and I, will be traveling together Monday night! We are ready to be inspired and further our professional knowledge and skills so that we can impact the children and families we work with in Ohio!

There are so many sessions and special event options! It is a little overwhelming, at first, browsing through the conference schedule! I had two options to consider: Do I attend sessions that will impact my classroom in the near future? OR Do I attend sessions that will impact my ability as a leader and advocate to better support my ODEC members and leadership? Decisions...Decisions! In the end, I decided that I want to make an impact in my classroom because after all, I am still a developing professional.

HOWEVER, I have other fellow board members in attendance who will be attending more advocacy and leadership sessions who can fill me in on all the good stuff I missed after the conference! Network and Share!

Below I have posted my schedule, please let me know by posting a comment if you too will be at any of these sessions! If you see me at a session, say "Hi!" and introduce yourself!


My Schedule 

Tuesday

• 4:30PM Opening Session & Knowledge Keynote, Keynote Speaker: Vicki Stayton
• 6:30PM (Practitioner's Marketplace): Creating Physical Environments that Facilitate Learning presented by Jessica Zanton. 

Wednesday (Busy, Busy!)

• 7AM: Subdivision Meeting! Representing Ohio!! I will have the opportunity to connect with other states and meet national board members!
• 9:15AM: Family Involvement: Families and Educators Collaborating to Develop the Whole Child presented by Kali Skiles, Laura Strange, Lisa Kuhl, Phyllis Lubel, and Tracy Potts. 
• 10:30AM: From Bystander to Mover and Shake: Physical Activity for All Young Children presented by Karin Spencer, Christine Wallin, and Lorelei Pisha. 
• 12:15PM: Ohio DEC Meet & Greet (Please come!!) We will be at Stanley Hall, bring your lunch and we will provide cookies. This will be an informal meeting! A great time to meet the board!
• 1:30PM Plenary Session & Implementation Keynote, Speaker: Jennifer Grisham-Brown
• 2:45PM: Implementing Individual Behavior Supports in an Inclusive Preschool Setting presented by Marina Velez, Abby Green-Taylor, and Kate Severini. 
• 4:00PM: Improving Language and Literacy Outcomes for Infants and Toddlers Using Activity-Based Intervention presented by Naomi Rahn and Alise Paillard. 
• 5:45PM: Increasing Printed Material for Young Dual Language Learners presented by Samantha Riggleman and Jennifer Buchter. 
• 7:30PM: Happy Hour!! This event is being held for all international attendees, first timers, and new members!

Thursday

• 7:30AM: Awards Breakfast
• 9:15AM: Efforts to Address Disproportionate Discipline Practices in Early Childhood Programs presented by Jennifer Tschantz, Lise Fox, and Jermall Wright. 
• 10:30AM: Music Interventions to Support Self-Regulation, Social Communication, and Early Literacy presented by Anne Meeker and Stephanie Parks. 
• 12:15PM: Combining Brain Research and DAP to Teach Impulse Control & Behavioral Skills presented by Maria Sargent.
• 1:30PM: Autism in African American Children: What are Parents' and Professionals' Experiences? Presented by Jamie Pearson, Hedda Meadan and Brealan Martin. 
• 2:45PM: Closing Plenary Session & Evaluation Keynote, Speaker: Phillip Strain