Conference Schedule
Please review conference schedule by clicking on each individual time slot and then clicking on the session to view description.
**Please note- all times are subject to change until the final registration brochure is published.
View the full PDF conference program with session descriptions: https://canva.link/dhsgckwybs7ntd0
Friday October 16, 2026
FA01: Understanding and Supporting Challenging Behavior from a Trauma-Informed Lens, Ariane Gauvreau
FA02: From Barriers to Belonging, Apurva Wikstrom
FA03: Multilingual Learners in the Classroom, Johnnie and Mackenzie
FA04: Documenting Children’s Learning While They’re Engaged in Play, Lizzy Chandler
FA05: Small Groups, Big Impact, Neeshia Winkley and Kortne Banks
FA06: Honoring the Culture: Cultures Influence on Development, Kim Bogren Owen
FA07: Beyond Behaviorism, Rebekah Heeg and Jenn Featherston
FA08: Transitions and Interactions, Jamileh Almasoud
FA09: Survival to Stability, Shanita Weeden
FA10: Guiding Young Children Toward Pro-Social and Healthy Emotional Expression, Colleen Cope
Lunch is provided for all registered attendees.
Join us for our annual member meeting! All NAEYC/WAEYC members and prospective members are welcome to join. During his session, you’ll meet current board members and chapter representatives, learn what WAEYC has been up to in the state, and new ways to get involved in making change in our WA ECE world. Please bring your questions. Attendees will be entered to win several door prizes!
FB01: Mirrors, Windows, and Identity Part A, Debbie LeeKeenan
FB02: Educator ECHO, Katy Batement and Jennifer Baumingham
FB03: Shifting Power: Equity-Centered Practices in Early Learning, Aaron Norikane
FB04: Sexual Behavior and Neurodiversity in Early Childhood, Amy Lang
FB05: How to Let Them Play, Lizzy Chandler
FB06: The Art of Scaffolding, Cravionne Hatcher and Tiffany Malicoat
FB07: Designing Your Classroom So It Reflects Your Community and the Land, Kim Bogren Owen
FB08: Neither Good Nor Bad: All Behavior Is a Form of Communication, Emily Vener
FB09: Building Text Sets for Joyful Engagement and Rich Reading Experiences, Steph
Strachan and Tracy Coskie
FB10: No Forest Preschool? No Problem! Kat McNeill
FC01: Mirrors, Windows, and Identity Part B, Debbie LeeKeenan
FC02: The Circle of Care as Leadership, Kiki Olson
FC03: TBD, Annie Garret
FC04: Science of Reading Begins Before Kindergarten, Katie Sauter
FC05: Charting the Course: Bringing Learning to Life with the Boat Street Curriculum, Juliet Taylor and Diana Stokes
FC06: From Safety to Learning, Krissy Kim
FC07: Lets Team Up! Kristen McLeskey and Kelsey Henderson-Wasmund
FC08: Creative Start: Integrating Performing Arts for Learning in Early Childhood, Alexis Sarah
FC09: The Emotional Dance, Kristie Hale
FC10: The Kids are All Right – But How Are You? Cathi Miller
Saturday October 17, 2026
SA01: Creative Start: Integrating Performing Arts for Learning in Early Childhood, Alexis Sarah
SA02: From Chaos to Connection: Classroom Management that Works, Stephanie Travers
SA03: Reframing Challenging Behavior, Kendall Appell
SA04: Brave Conversations, Mel Andersen
SA05: Risky Play, Cameron Sandgren
SA06: Soft Expulsion and the Invisible Exit, April Ferguson
SA07: Public Policy 101: Advocacy from the Classroom to the Capitol
SA08: Eco-Healthy Child Care® Track: Seeds of Justice: Addressing Environmental Racism in Early Education, Jamie Cho and Ninderjit Gill
SA01: Risky Play, Cameron Sandgren
SA02: Beyond the Light Table, Diana Nold
SA03: TBD, Charlene Nolan
SA04: Myths and Facts about Inclusionary Practices, Cassie Borges
SA05: Hands-On Early Mathematics: Manipulatives, Miriam Dressler
SA06: From First Hello to Long-Term Families, Stephanie Travers
SA07: Child Care for Washington: Affordable Child Care for all Washington Families, Livey Beha
Lunch is provided for all registered attendees.
SB01: Executive Function is the New School Readiness, Meredith Prater
SB02: Setting and Sustaining Professional Boundaries with the Families, Miriam Dressler
SB03: Infinite creativity within finite budgets and spaces, Meredith Berlin
SB04: Resilient Leadership: Preventing Burnout in Early Childhood Programs, Liz Williams
SB05: Rooted in Values: Building Authentic Culture in Early Childhood Settings, Melissa Robertson
SB06: When the Adults Are the Challenge, Krista Warren
SB07: Staying Insurable, Mark Parker
SC01: The Rooted Educator: Boundaries by Design, Not by Guilt, Nimi Braich and Ruth Santosham
SC02: Culturally Responsive Practices in Bilingual Early Childhood Programs, Melissa Robertson
SC03: Neurodiversity in the Classroom: From teacher to students, Michelle Davis
SC04: Partnering with Families Through Trust, Communication, and Collaboration, Liz Williams
SC05: The Myth of the Super Teacher, Krista Warren
SC06: Reflecting on Anti-Bias Education, Patricia Coss-Maxwell
SC07: Advocacy in Action: The Power of Storytelling, Carmen Moore
