This space will be a 10x10 space in a premium location with electrical access, table and two chairs. 

This space will be a 10x10 space with no electric access. One table and two chairs included.

This space will be a 10x10 space in a premium location with electrical access, table and two chairs. Non profit organizations only.

This space will be a 10x10 space with no electric access. One table and two chairs included.

This space will be a 10x10 space with no electric access. One table and two chairs included.

This is for an additional (double) booth space. It will include one additional table.

Executive function develops at an incredibly rapid pace during the preschool years, beginning shortly after birth. Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child tells us that babies aren’t born with essential executive function and self-regulation skills but are born with the potential to develop them. Therefore, it is imperative that educators and parents understand executive functioning and promote these essential skills. Using video and lively, fun-filled activities participants will personally relate to the skills and use assessment tools to guide observations. Participants will practice using a booklet designed for parents which analyzes the skill building during everyday activities and routines.

Barbara Kuczen, Professor Emeritus, Chicago State University

Join us for a transformative workshop to navigate hard conversations and build strong relationships in early childhood education and beyond. In this interactive session, we'll explore challenging relationships and use communication tools to build healthy ones.

This session gets high marks for entertainment, learning, and impact – you won't want to miss it! You'll walk away with practical tools for fostering collaboration and growth, as well as strategies for building positive relationships in all areas of your life. Discover how finding your inner voice can help you make the change you crave in the world. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your communication skills and elevate your relationships! 

Shannon Smith, M.D. Co-Founder, Leadership Strategist, and Communication Coach at Own Your Focus

What can you control or change in your workplace? Other employees? How’s that working for you? Our purpose is too valuable to waste time on “the things we cannot change.” Let’s instead take a meaningful, fun loving, pragmatic dive into discovering our “true selves,” our “shadow,” what offends, baffles or soothes us, frees us to be authentic and do our best work. Bring questions about conflicts and leave with strategies to effectively change the things you can. Informed by Dr. Carl Jung, enjoy a day with updated Myers-Briggs insights.

Holly Elissa Bruno, Author, Keynoter

This session will help participants write for their families, staff, and community members. Participants will learn to write documents for staff—job aids, checklists, fact sheets; messages for media—magazine articles and news stories; and content for a website: blogs, position statements, and resource pages. During the session, participants will determine what communication strategies best support their goals and audience. After the workshop, a Wider Reach editor will format and edit documents to prepare for publication.

Adam Hockman

Founder, Wider Reach & Chief Learning Architect, ABA Technologies

Storytime is a great time to use Sign Language with Hearing Children. We will go through some children’s books, show the signs, read the story, and do the signs. We will also use sign language with some songs and nursery rhymes.

Janelle St.Martin, EIPA, NAD, S.N.H.S. Dip. Color Therapy, Cert. Clinical Aromatherapist, CEO of WeSign2 LLC

This presentation explores the critical role of early identification in improving outcomes for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By understanding early behavioral and developmental signals of ASD, caregivers and service providers can initiate timely interventions and supports. The presentation emphasizes the importance of recognizing subtle cues in social communication, sensory processing, and repetitive behaviors as early indicators. Highlighting evidence-based screening tools and diagnostic criteria, we discuss how prompt identification supports early interventions, tailored therapies, and family-centered support networks. Ultimately, early recognition empowers families and enhances developmental trajectories for children on the autism spectrum.

Jenna Wallace

PsyD, Licensed Psychologist, Co-Owner of Unlocked Potential, PLLC

AAC, once perceived as a strategy-of-last-resort, is now well understood as an imperative part of our toolkit for supporting learners with communication delays and disabilities. Access to language is needed to build multimodal communication skills, necessary for engagement in meaningful interactions and learning activities. The focus of this session will be 2-fold: 1) exploring the availability and use of paper-and-tech based AAC tools across environments, and 2) engaging key communication partners in AAC decision-making and implementation. AAC-in-action activities, videos, shared resources, and problem-solving discussions will extend learning. In this make-and-take-session participants will complete 4 projects. 

PART 1 of 2

Tabi Jones-Wohleber

M.S., CCC-SLP

Through ideas/strategies such as room arrangement, developmentally appropriate activities, and Conscious Discipline based practices, participants will return to their classrooms prepared to create a positive learning environment for all children.

Melissa Cuppett M.Ed, Behavior Consultant- CCRC

Come ready to wiggle, and giggle with the fun of story play for young children. Learn to connect basic skills, language development, motivation, social awareness, cultural awareness, and diversity along with environmental concerns. Books, stories, songs, finger plays, poems and fun are interwoven throughout the presentation. Puppets enrich learning, promote student interest, and facilitate problem solving. When a story comes to “THE END,” it should be the beginning of an expanded conversation: a continuation of the experience. The workshop will be EDUCATIONAL BRAIN FOOD for everyone. Come prepared to interact and have educational fun using good common sense!

Mary Jo Huff, Story Tellin'

AAC, once perceived as a strategy-of-last-resort, is now well understood as an imperative part of our toolkit for supporting learners with communication delays and disabilities. Access to language is needed to build multimodal communication skills, necessary for engagement in meaningful interactions and learning activities. The focus of this session will be 2-fold: 1) exploring the availability and use of paper-and-tech based AAC tools across environments, and 2) engaging key communication partners in AAC decision-making and implementation. AAC-in-action activities, videos, shared resources, and problem-solving discussions will extend learning. In this make-and-take-session participants will complete 4 projects. 

PART 2 of 2

Tabi Jones-Wohleber

M.S., CCC-SLP

Describe Briefly

Learn nine practical, trauma informed classroom strategies that work. With examples from lived experience, these strategies demonstrate "boots on the ground" knowledge for educators or anyone who works with children. When we know better, we can do better. When we do better, we can transform our classrooms, schools, communities, and the lives of children.

Grace Wine, PhD

ARE YOU:

B-Burnt Out

U-Unproductive

R-Ready for a change

N-Not accomplishing things

0- Overwhelmed

U-Unable to focus

T- Tired of being tired.

Then this is the course for YOU!

During this course, participants will learn what burnout is, why burnout happens, what the signs are, and how to overcome and prevent burnout. They will leave this training with some tangible tips to help overcome burnout and how to avoid it. They will leave feeling refreshed and ready to tackle one thing at a time.

Samantha (Sami) Cochran, Early Childhood Specialist with focus on Afterschool/Mountain Heart Community Services Inc.

A motivational workshop that encourages staff to conduct hands-on science experiments using simple and inexpensive materials Understand STEM standards and learn to construct open-ended questions using the six basic science process skills as a guide for teaching and motivating your student. FREE Science Process Skill Poster!

Andrea Alexander, TBD

Early childhood hearing loss can have devastating effects on a child's language development. It can lead not only to speech and language delays but to delayed or diminished abilities to read and write. This session will discuss how hearing loss during the first years of life can lead to language deprivation and the importance of access to spoken and/or visual language during these critical years of neurological development. We will also touch on hearing technologies that can help to minimize spoken language deprivation.

Melanie S. Ashworth, Doctor of Audiology

Through implementing a trauma informed approach, the opportunity to build and maintain attachment and resiliency in the early childhood classroom is possible. The secure attachment model influences social emotional development and healthy positive future relationships. Positive Behavior Support builds on the child’s strengths by teaching the proactive strategies needed to reduce problematic behaviors in the classroom.

Ashely Benson & Sandy Corbett, WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities

Infants and young children are guided by emotions. When the feelings get too big, early care and education professionals can reach into their emotional regulation toolbox to support co-regulation. This interactive session offers a framework for guiding professionals in the development of regulatory skills in infants and toddlers, which leads to emotional resiliency. During this session, participants will learn about current co-regulation research, how to help build resiliency through co-regulation (and ultimately self-regulation), and skills and techniques for use in the classroom and/or resources for families during in-home services.

Michelle Rollyson, IMH-E® , Coordinator, West Virginia Infant/Toddler Mental Health Association

Sheila Zickefoose, Coordinator, RVCDS, WV Birth to Three

Home visitation program staff who attend this training will learn effective strategies for documentation for home visits.

Stephanie Vunderink-Steger, Home Visitation Coordinator

In this presentation you will learn about positive behavior support. We will introduce how to use the pyramid model in Infant/Toddler, Early Childhood, and Family Childcare settings. By the end of this training, participants will have a better understanding of how to use the pyramid model to support challenging behaviors.

Meredith Lester, Behavioral Consultant, M.Psych, IMH-E® (I)

WV STARS is getting a glow-up! Come see a demo of West Virginia's updated Registry System to learn how the changes will affect you.

EmmaLee Griffith, WV STARS Statewide Project Manager

In this professional development session, participants will learn about the importance of family partnership. A strong family partnership is beneficial to the children, families, and childcare program. Participants will leave this session with new ways to involve families in their programs, through communication, involvement, and sharing of resources available within the community.

Lena Graham, Early Childhood and Afterschool Specialist, RBA, Mountain Heart Community Services

With a small ball, we can work on coordination, range of motion, balance, and brain activity. It can even help eliminate some extra energy children have during rainy days. You can even get some good cardio activities. Get the kid's activity and have some fun!!!

Janelle St.Martin, EIPA, NAD, S.N.H.S. Dip. Color Therapy, Cert. Clinical Aromatherapist, CEO of WeSign2 LLC, Bridgeport, WV Owner, Instructor, Mentor, Interpreter

Toddlers to school age children will benefit from the connections with Stem, Steam, & Stream……. introducing the attendees to the world of Mother Nature through the eyes of a child. New books, music, storyboard, and nature will be the focus of this presentation. It will develop imagination, creativity, critical thinking, science & math skills. Technology in the world of ECE will be explored. The arts interact with children’s daily lives and reading is one of the most important gifts we can share with young children. BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS that explore the world of nature will be introduced and shared.

Mary Jo Huff, Trainer, Author, Song Writer, Storyteller

Brain research on children and adults underlines music's capacity to "soothe the soul and calm the raging spirit". Music, laughter, movement, sunshine, positive connections with others all reactivate our executive function freeing us to make creative and constructive choices.

This interactive, singing and swaying (dance if you wish) session offers practical ways to help children and adults learn and practice using music to alleviate stress.

Presenters, trauma informed, share their daily love and use of music to return to constructive approaches despite adversity. Both energetic and knowledgeable presenters use practical experience and neuroscientific research to offer a clear understanding of how music helps us face and learn from challenges to choose a healthier life. No matter our age, negative experiences take their toll. Music reminds us we can learn from hard times, not be defined by them. Does that remind you of a song?

Join us to re-engage your mind, body and spirit with positivity. As you share your song, you may well inspire other songs to come to life.

Maryann Harman, Educational Consultant / Founder of Music with Mar., LLC

Based on experiences of real survivors, participants walk in the shoes of characters experiencing abusive relationships. Groups or individuals receive a card describing the background and current situation of a character. Stations representing local community or social settings throughout the room contain color-coordinated plot cards that align with each character. They read through scenarios their character faces, and make choices about their character’s next steps. Facilitated discussion helps participants debrief, answer lingering questions, challenge persistent myths and misunderstandings, and helps participants engage in the way they can make change individually and locally.

Samantha McCoy, Coordinator, Partners in Community Outreach

As teachers in the classroom, you are one of the many examples that children see and learn from. In this session participants will take time to reflect and see the importance of their leadership in the environments they teach. We will also learn ways to support leadership in the children they teach and how this will support positive behaviors. 

Maxann Weese, Behavioral Consultant BS, PITC, ITMH-E

Communication is key to collaboration in partnering on a goal! Ever wonder how communication goes awry and quickly becomes complicated? Through the lens of The Polyvagal Theory: The Science of Safety, participants will explore the nervous system and bodily reactions that impact communication and interaction! Learn about the science of safety and keys to communication with all ages to navigate challenges and motivate engagement in partnering. Engage in creating safety in communication and interactions that promote collaborative partnerships to support our teachers, caregivers, children and families.

Katrina Jefferson, Owner/Director MSW/LCSW /PeaceTree Center for Wellness

Families need support and help with resources, yes we still have to report, but what if we offer support, will we have better outcomes? This training takes 2 concepts The Lean On Me WV and Mandated Reporting, it covers all of the legal requirements of Mandated Reporting along with providing ideas on how to support those families through difficult times

Michelle Romanek, CQI Consultant for WV Home Visitation Programs, WVDoH

It's easy to question ourselves or feel like an imposter. This is a common experience many of us share. The truth is that each of us possesses incredible talent and value, but uncovering that power often requires navigating through uncomfortable moments. Join us for an engaging and empowering session on Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Let Your Light Shine! In this interactive workshop, we'll explore the signs and symptoms of imposter syndrome, its impact on self-esteem and productivity, and practical strategies to overcome these doubts. Learn how to embrace your unique strengths, foster a growth mindset, and develop resilience against criticism and self-doubt. By shedding the imposter mask, you'll be equipped to confidently provide exceptional support to young children and their families. Don't miss this opportunity to unleash your potential!

Shannon Smith, M.D. Co-Founder, Leadership Strategist, and Communication Coach at Own Your Focus

This presentation will provide overview of the ERS scales used in West Virginia - ITERS-3, ECERS-3, FCCERS-3, and SACERS-U. Topics covered will include what the scales are, what they're used for, how they're scored, why we use them, and what the data shows us to this point.

Erica Fetty, Supervisor: Early Childhood Quality Evaluators/WVECTCR

Unleash a treasure trove of creative ideas! This workshop offers 100 simple and effective strategies to seamlessly infuse social-emotional learning into your daily interactions with young children. From imaginative play to meaningful conversations, discover diverse approaches to foster emotional growth in every child.

Lillian Hubler-Tomlin, President, Time to Sign

In this spotlight address Lisa shares the powerful story of her first day of school. Through engaging storytelling Lisa brings you back to this first day by taking you on a tour of Mary’s Nursery School. Lisa will share the sights and sounds of the place where, at the young age of three, she decided to become a teacher and identifies how one day solidified this decision. This inspiring keynote gets participants back in touch with their own personal why which is at the heart of providing quality care - why do we show up every day and do this work? And, if it was a child’s only day, what will they remember?

Lisa Murphy, Ooey Gooey, Inc.

Get ready to unlock the secrets of successful collaborations in early childhood education! At Celebrating Connections 2025 in WV, Dr. Shannon Smith, a pediatrician, communication coach and leadership strategist, will share four essential steps to fostering effective relationships among professionals.

Drawing on their expertise and real-life experiences, Dr. Shannon will guide attendees through the art of pausing, acknowledging others' perspectives, questioning assumptions, and making informed decisions. You'll leave inspired with actionable strategies to strengthen your professional connections and elevate your impact in the field.

Shannon Smith, M.D. Co-Founder, Leadership Strategist, and Communication Coach at Own Your Focus

No more dittos! No more patterns! No more cut out art! In this workshop Lisa defends a very strong process oriented art position. This is a hands-on session with playtime as well as an in-depth examination of what “process versus product" really means! Participants will be encouraged to reflect on where they are on their journey towards process and away from product oriented “cookie-cutter” craptivity projects

Lisa Murphy, Ooey Gooey, Inc.

SteppingIntoAAC is a collaborative project of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation and PrAACtical AAC. Designed to support families on their AAC journey, it includes 20 weeks of systematic bite-sized learning that will also benefit and appeal to practitioners supporting AAC learners. This session will provide an overview of Stepping Into AAC resources, then dive a bit deeper to discuss practical use of materials across a variety of settings including to support families in home-based early intervention, and to build capacity for AAC implementation in early childhood and elementary classrooms. Stepping Into AAC is a FREE resource that can be accessed online.

Tabi Jones-Wohleber, M.S., CCC-SLP

Infants and toddlers enjoy music, too; but they have special needs. Many times materials are too old or loud for them. This workshop will present developmentally appropriate activities and materials for infants/toddlers as well as educate participants on their value in development.

Maryann "Mar." Harman, Founder of Music with Mar., LLC; BA Music Education; MA Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood

Learn more about feltboards, how to make your own feltboard, how to make felt pieces, and learn unique fingerplays and toeplays. Bring your own felt kit home with you! Giving your youngsters things they can touch, see and hold can help them follow a story and enjoy it even more. Felt captures their attention and it uses more of their senses.

Michelle Reimer, Felt Lady Product Distributor and Workshop Presenter

I will help educators learn how to take a classroom through America's National Parks. I will teach them agencies and groups that collaborate with teachers around the country to provide the National Park experience for our young learners. I will show you how to create a unit that will not only provide a month of learning, but that will create partnerships to immerse the students in the National Parks experience. Attendees will leave with a detailed guide, with contact information, to do this unit in the classroom. Options for a Junior Ranger program will be detailed in the presentation.

Kelly Serdynski Gray, Kindergarten teacher

Occupational Burnout is at an all-time high. Many are leaving professions that they were once passionate about, taking on less fulfilling jobs. Others stay in those high demanding positions at a risk to their mental and physical health. This session has two purposes. The first is to find the individuals "why" and reignite the passion again. The second is to help develop personal management plans through tailored strategies and techniques. This will foster a positive narrative that will allow participants to return to a more productive, and enjoyable life.

Happy Plaugher, Founder, Intentional Life Coaching

This presentation will cover assistive technology and augmentative and alternative communication devices that one might encounter in a classroom. AACs are an important part of an individual's education. Everyone around needs to know how to interact with someone who uses an AAC. The presentation will also go over how to make a classroom more accessible to everyone who might enter the classroom.

Doug Cumpston, WVATS, Principal Investigator/Program Manager MBA ATP

Allie Saweikis, Assistive Technology Specialist MA

Harness the silent power of sign language to create a harmonious classroom environment. This training equips educators with effective tools for behavior management, utilizing sign language as a positive and proactive means of communication. Enhance your classroom dynamics and promote a cooperative and respectful atmosphere among students.

Lillian Hubler Tobin, President, Time to Sign

Time permitting, this session begins with participants taking a walk-about that facilitates individual reflection on their own outdoor play experience. Following a discussion of their reactions and responses, Lisa shares a power point slide show of outdoor play experiences and activities that can be implemented immediately in both family childcare and center based settings. Best of all, they are activities that use materials you probably already have in the garage or the shed! And in her usual engaging style, Lisa uses the pictures as springboards for discussions about current issues related to outdoor play in our culture.

Lisa Murphy, Ooey Gooey, Inc.

The Affordable Care Act changed Individual Insurance options significantly when it was rolled out in the fall of 2013. However, all of these years later the process of finding coverage can still be frustrating and confusing.

The majority of people still do not know where to get coverage, what programs they might qualify for, or who to turn to for help. The ending of pandemic provisions involving Medicaid coverage “Medicaid Unwind” has resulted in thousands of people transitioning off of Medicaid this year. The Health Insurance Marketplace has played a huge role in filling this gap however it is even more important than ever that people and organizations not forget about this safety net that can help people maintain coverage. Providers and social service organizations can easily overlook the Marketplace as an option for people that may lose Medicaid. Organizations are very familiar with Medicaid, CHIP, Sliding Fee programs, or even setting up payment plans with uninsured patients. The Marketplace is a program that can help fill gaps for the uninsured as well though. This session will explain the major improvements to the Marketplace over the past few years, how it has played a key role during the Medicaid Unwind, and where you can refer West Virginia families to for help so that we can make sure everyone has coverage.

Jeremy Smith, WV Navigator Program Director/M.A./First Choice Services

Infants and toddlers enjoy music, too; but they have special needs. Many times materials are too old or loud for them. This workshop will present developmentally appropriate activities and materials for infants/toddlers as well as educate participants on their value in development. PART 2 of 2

Maryann "Mar." Harman, Founder of Music with Mar., LLC; BA Music Education; MA Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood

This interactive workshop is designed to teach people what mindfulness is and how they can incorporate it into their own life and in their work with children. While working our way through a successful mindfulness-based play intervention used with adults, we’ll discuss ideas about how this can easily be translated into younger classrooms. Participants will not only get to experience breathwork and mindfulness exercises, they will also have simple tools to take with them. Meeting others and collaborating will be key to building strong relationships during this workshop.

Elaine Cruse, PharmD, CDCES Founder, Unearthing yOUR Greatness Mindfulness Coaching and Group Facilitation

Discover the impact of positive relationships at every life stage. "Power of Positive Relationships: Nurturing Connections from Infancy through Adulthood" delves into the influence of nurturing connections from infancy through adulthood. Explore how these bonds shape our emotional, social, and cognitive development, fostering resilience and well-being. This presentation highlights practical strategies to cultivate and maintain meaningful relationships. Join us to understand and harness the power of positive connections, creating a foundation for thriving individuals and communities. We will share how positive connections are valuable in the classroom, with families and when advocating for yourself and the early childhood community.

Kristy Ritz, Executive Director/WV Association for Young Children

Tiffany Gale, Executive Director, WV Women’s Alliance

Each of us are motivated in different ways. In this interactive workshop, we explore fostering genuine confidence and intrinsic motivation in children. We'll discuss different types of praise, their outcomes, and the benefits of acknowledging specific actions over general statements like "Good job!" Learn practical strategies to encourage autonomy, competence, and a collaborative environment while avoiding over-praising and sibling competition. Discover how to nurture capable, confident children by valuing their contributions and using effective communication techniques.

Betsy Nixon, Parenting and Communication Coach

Home visiting is a people-centered profession, and where there are people there are ethical conundrums! This session will cover the common ethical dilemmas seen in home visiting.

Stephanie Vunderink-Steger, Home Visitation Coordinator

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of visual interactive learning! This workshop, designed for teachers and parents, tailors sign language for the youngest learners. Uncover innovative ways to captivate their curiosity through interactive, visual, and hands-on activities, creating a foundation for communication and cognitive development.

Lillian Hubler Tobin, President, Time to Sign

All families go through times when they need more support. We can receive that support from many different groups, being intentional about taking care of yourself and getting help and information you need can help keep you and your family strong.

Trella Coppola, Right From the Start Coordinator ECRB,ITMHS

Quality afterschool programming is integral for working families in West Virginia, keeping youth engaged outside of the traditional school day, reducing risky behaviors, promoting healthy habits and holistic youth development, and elevating youth voice. Afterschool programs provide a safe environment for youth to explore their interests in STEM, arts, music, and more. In this session the West Virginia Statewide Afterschool Network will share tools and information focused on providing quality afterschool programming, being an afterschool advocate, and resources and support WVSAN offers programs in areas including: Social-Emotional Learning; Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); Continuous Quality Improvement, and more.

Susan Gamble, Director, West Virginia Statewide Afterschool Network