AELL 34th Annual National Conference-How Successful Directors Lead! E Event
P Pre-Conference Session
APRIL 25 • WEDNESDAY 8:30am – 12:30pm
E Child Care Center Tour ($60 Member, $85 Non-Member)
8:30am – 11:30pm
P AM Pre-Conference: Conscious Discipline ($99 Member, $159 Non-Member) 2018 Conference Presenters: Vicky Hepler
TBA
4:30pm – 6:00pm
E Welcome to Conference Reception!
TBA
Off Site
Join a few hundred of your biggest fans for the Opening Reception for the 34th Annual National Conference, How Successful Directors Lead! Light snacks and cash bar will be available.
6:30pm – 10:00pm
E VIP Event-Crayola Factory Tour ($149 Member, $199 Non Member) Don't miss this one of a kind tour of the Crayola Experience! After being greeted by some very special hosts, we will have exclusive access to all 26 attractions, a show, buffet dinner & dessert and an open wine and beer bar. Join us for fun surprises and wonderful memories! Space is limited so register today! This is a fee-based event. Registration must be purchased to attend this event.
Off Site
AELL 34th Annual National Conference-How Successful Directors Lead! B Breakout Session
E Event
G General Session
APRIL 26 • THURSDAY 8:30am – 10:15am
G Opening Keynote: "Conscious Leadership" with Dr. Becky Bailey
TBA
Becky A. Bailey, Ph.D., is an award-winning author, renowned teacher and internationally recognized expert in childhood education and developmental psychology. She touches thousands of lives each year through live events and over 1.2M of her top-selling books are in circulation, and Conscious Discipline has impacted an estimated 15.8M children.
10:30am – 12:15pm
B 101-The Importance of Early Developmental Screening 2018 Conference Presenters: Boyd H. Mark
TBA
Children reach many milestones in how they behave, learn, speak and move. Developmental monitoring and screening are ways to check that your child is meeting these milestones at an appropriate age. Many children with developmental delays are not being identified as early as possible. As a result, these children must wait to get the help they need to do well in social and educational settings (for example, in school). In the United States, about 13% of children 3 to 17 years of age have a developmental or behavioral disability such as autism, intellectual disability and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. However, less than half of children with problems are identified before starting school. During this time, the child could have received help for these problems and may even have entered school more ready to learn.
10:30am – 12:15pm
B 102-Seven Headaches Technology Can Instantly Cure 2018 Conference Presenters: Ryan Gwaltney
TBA
Technology can make your business run better. The right tools in place at your school mean more enrollments, more secure finances, and long term success for your school. In this session, we’ll talk about the key things that make your school attractive to Millennial parents, tools that will transform your Director’s office into a productivity machine, and the tasks successful preschool and childcare center owners do each day. We’ll show you how to gain more enrollments, higher profits, and happier families.
10:30am – 12:15pm
B 103-Managing with Emotional Intelligence-Part 1 2018 Conference Presenters: Tym Smith
TBA
This two-part session will help managers improve themselves while also building their programs. To start, participants will learn about emotional intelligence and how improving their social skills will help maintain staff, attract new families and build a stronger relationship with existing clients. Then participants will move on to learn proven techniques to market your program, increase enrollment and recruit quality staff.
10:30am – 12:15pm
B 104-Playground Safety in a Child Care Setting 2018 Conference Presenters: Michael Swain
TBA
With extensive experience with insurance claims as a result of unsafe playgrounds or unprepared program leaders, Michael will share real risks and real strategies for minimizing injury to children and liability for programs.
10:30am – 12:15pm
B 105-Top Ten Mistakes Directors Make 2018 Conference Presenters: Ron McGuckin
TBA
Join Ron McGuckin for this informative and critically important session. His "don't let this happen to you" real life stories will be an invaluable resource to you as you manage your business and your people.
10:30am – 12:15pm
B 106-A Director's Guide to Planning Play for Observation & Assessment 2018 Conference Presenters: Pat Carter This session will focus on child assessments and how assessment data helps in planning play as a learning experience. Participants will learn about the Teaching and Learning Cycle and strategies to weave planned intentional play in classrooms for children, aged birth through 66 months, based on the learning domains: language, cognitive, social/emotional, fine and gross motor. We will also take a peek at latest in the brain research and the “Windows of Opportunity” that has an impact on the intentional play learning experiences.
TBA
10:30am – 12:15pm
B 107-Yes It's a Mission...But It's Also an Investment! 2018 Conference Presenters: Kathy Ligon
TBA
The Mission: To provide excellence in early education and services to families. The Investment: To grow a dynamic, financially healthy organization that provides resources for growth and reinvestment, and a business and real estate asset that provides for your future. Join us for a real life discussion of maximizing profits while creating quality, strategies for value in the business and real estate, understanding what it is worth in today’s market, and value for your future. about: KATHY LIGON Founder and CEO of HINGE Brokers Kathy Ligon is on a mission to help private education providers grow their businesses. Trained as a public accountant, Kathy has a unique 30+ year background in educational operations. Early on she was named Financial Director for a growing educational organization and subsequently moved to COO, directing growth management and helping the company multiply from five to 125 sites operating in several states. During this time, she gained a wealth of knowledge in growth strategy, target selection, pricing and negotiation, cultural analysis and post-closing integration tactics. In 2003, Kathy formed Strategic Solutions Group Advisors—recently rebranded as HINGE Brokers. At HINGE, Kathy and her team provide unmatched support to the private early education sector: developing price analyses, negotiating strategies and matching buyers with sellers. Having successfully closed more than 200 educational transactions over the years, Kathy’s unique understanding of the nuances of process development and company integration has led to sustained success for companies long after the final transaction.
12:30pm – 2:15pm
G Networking Luncheon 2018 Conference Presenters: Amanda Brinkman
TBA
Join us for this special time of expanding your professional network. Special Guest Amanda Brinkman will share important tips and tools for making the most of your sphere of influence in business and in life. The luncheon is free to conference registrants. Guest tickets are available for purchase with conference registration for $50 per person.
2:30pm – 4:15pm
B 201-Managing with Emotional Intelligence: Part 2 2018 Conference Presenters: Tym Smith
TBA
This two part session will help managers improve themselves while also building their programs. To start, participants will learn about emotional intelligence and how improving their social skills will help maintain staff, attract new families and build a stronger relationship with existing clients. Then participants will move on to learn proven techniques to market your program, increase enrollment and recruit quality staff.
2:30pm – 4:15pm
B 202-Toxic Free Living 2018 Conference Presenters: Andrea Villa
TBA
This informative session will guide you through a more organic, natural approach to health and life in your center and home. Healthy people are happy people and healthy children are happy children.
2:30pm – 4:15pm
B 203-Staying at the Top! Lisa will share her years of experience and success and walk the hiring process, the orientation, training and retaining quality staff. She will give participants tips and tools for maintaining quality programming and quality staffing without breaking the bank. With easy to understand budget tips, Lisa will help you find great ways to stretch that dollar!
TBA
2:30pm – 4:15pm
B 204-Owners Only Round Table Discussion-Child Care Legal Issues 2018 Conference Presenters: Ron McGuckin
TBA
Child care owners do not want to miss this interactive and informative discussion of trending legal issues. After protecting and defending child care leaders for many years, Ron shares real stories and real outcomes that will help you make the right decisions about your business and your program.
2:30pm – 4:15pm
B 205-Growing Successful Child Care Communities 2018 Conference Presenters: Saran Savage Winters
TBA
This workshop will discuss the unique characteristics needed to successfully enroll children and families into childcare centers. Examine marketing tactics used to grow childcare centers. Review cohesive environment strategies needed to build and maintain a high capacity childcare center. Participants will discuss the stressors faced when trying to market and grow their child care center’s capacity. Explore and share experiences with marketing and enrollment. Formulate successful strategies on how to best market and enroll new and returning families.
2:30pm – 4:15pm
B 206-The Budget Bottom Line 2018 Conference Presenters: Donna Thornton Roberts
TBA
Without cashflow, it's impossible to grow! This session, filled with practical information and meaningful budget management tools, will equip participants to make their money work for them and for their program. Donna Thornton Roberts brings years of experience and success in child care and resource management to fill your budget bucket to overflow!
5:00pm – 6:00pm
E Get Connected Reception!
TBA
If this is your first time to participate in our conference or you are attending conference alone, please join the AELL Ambassadors for this fun, interactive "Get Connected" reception! This is the perfect place to make new friends, get to know more about the Association and get tips on making the most of your conference experience!
5:00pm – 6:00pm
E Owners Only Happy Hour
Poolside Bar
Join the AELL Board of Directors for our annual Owners Only Happy Hour! Meet and greet our Board and owners from all over the country and find out more about AELL Owners Only events! Poolside cash bar will be available.
6:00pm – 7:00pm
E President's Networking Reception
TBA
Meet, greet and network with the AELL Board of Directors, National Accreditation Commission Council, Ambassadors and a few hundred of your new best friends! This is a great time to exchange business cards and build career building relationships that last a lifetime! Light snacks and cash bar will be available.
8:00pm – 11:30pm
E Denim to Diamonds Karaoke Night Dance and sing the night away at this conference event favorite! After dinner snacks and cash bar will be available.
TBA
AELL 34th Annual National Conference-How Successful Directors Lead! B Breakout Session
E Event
APRIL 27 • FRIDAY 7:00am – 8:00am
Rise & Shine Breakfast with FunShine Express! 2018 Conference Presenters: Beth Ehlis
TBA
Rise & Shine and join the FUN team from FunShine Express for breakfast! Not only will they start your morning off with something yummy for your tummy, but the FunShine Team will share the resources they offer to support quality in your classrooms! This is a complimentary event sponsored by our friends at FunShine Express!
8:30am – 10:15am
B 301-A Tale of Two Centers 2018 Conference Presenters: Dr. Pamela Norwood-Todd
TBA
This session will discuss the steps that were taken to both repair a center’s damaged reputation and rebuild its status as a school of choice. Participants will learn how the center leadership strategically worked to recreate its brand as a unique entity, set apart from area competitors, by changing the physical environment, enriching the curriculum, and improving teacher-child interactions using early STEAM learning as an innovative angle. Visuals, video clips, and handouts will be shared along with the results of the experience. Interactivity will be promoted as the participants are asked to work through questions aimed at getting a clear picture of their own current positioning related to marketing and promoting their center’s identity, mission, and educational emphasis.
8:30am – 10:15am
B 302-Buy In: Engaging Others to Get on Board! 2018 Conference Presenters: Diane Nicolet, Ph.D.
TBA
This active participation session will focus on developing self and others in an effort to move an organization forward in its improvement and innovative endeavors. The concept of “buy-in” and the what, why, when, where and how components will be explored. Several leadership elements will be discussed, to include: leadership approaches and the art of helping others to identify their leadership characteristics, while working toward a collective end. The presenter will provide opportunities for participants to read, reflect and discuss “buy-in” and what it means to a healthy, risk-taking organization. Participant experiences of engaging others in “buy-in” and whether the effort succeeded or failed will be shared along with a discussion of strategies being utilized to engage others in an idea or project. “Buy-in” topics will include: when and why you want to try and “sell” something; particularly an idea or time consuming and/costly project. The components that make an idea or new endeavor worth engaging others in, and the resulting impact: challenges and benefits will be described. Participants will have an opportunity to reflect on returning home with new found “buy-in” strategies for a current or impeding project.
8:30am – 10:15am
B 303-Say YES to You! 2018 Conference Presenters: Lynnette McCarty
TBA
If we don't take care of ourselves, the rest of our plans and dreams don't matter. This authentic conversation with Lynnette McCarty will emphasize the importance of health and ways to insure that self care is implemented for a better ability to manage others. Caregivers are the worst at taking time to do what is necessary for a healthy mind and body. From her own experience in owning, directing and running a large center, she will share first hand where she went and where she came from to insure a healthier lifestyle.
8:30am – 10:15am
B 304-Professionalism Defined 2018 Conference Presenters: Bobette Thompson Dressing for the job is about the wardrobe and so much more! As the early care and education community continues to push through the "babysitting" stereotype and establish our critical role in early education, it is more important than ever to represent and promote professionalism and expand our influence in the education community. This discussion of what professionalism is, why it matters, how it is communicated and how to nurture it in our staff will be invaluable as you lead your team to success!
TBA
8:30am – 10:15am
B 305-Embracing Diversity 2018 Conference Presenters: Carla Biro
TBA
After planting myself in the hustle and bustle of Chicago, the back roads of a small town in Mississippi, and now Amish Land Indiana, I find myself at a time such as this. Interviews, relationships, family, and professional colleagues share a commonality, ‘we want to increase diversity around us, but how?’ This presentation will uncover some of the cultural biases we all have, bring a level of understanding and acceptance, and possibly highlight the purpose for the Original Design in the world around us. The discussion will deepen with an overview of background knowledge, personal and spiritual beliefs, and preconceived notions we subconsciously allow to dominate our demeanor in the workplace. Directors, Coalition Leaders, Political Affiliates, and others leaders will find this workshop a time to come together to create an action plan that can be immediately implemented in the workplace. A plan I call EMANEL (Embrace More “NAG”ivate Everyone Less). Yes we sometimes NAG when we are frustrated with the flow of things around us. Cultural differences and environmental norms leave no room for “different”. Often leaders become frustrated, exclusive, or in some cases, downright mean because the differences can be overwhelming. These factors reduce staff recruitment abilities and limit staff retention.
8:30am – 10:15am
B 306-Facilitating Impactful Professional Development 2018 Conference Presenters: Susan MacDonald, M.Ed.
TBA
The focus of this highly interactive workshop is to support school leaders in facilitating professional development programs, and staff meetings, that engage participants in their own learning. We will explore a variety of reflective practices and resources that will inspire school leaders to take a fresh perspective on how they are designing and delivering their learning materials. Key insights from Adult Learning Theory and Multiple Intelligences will be shared. A comprehensive resource list will be provided to support ongoing learning.
8:30am – 10:15am
B 307-ABCs of the National Accreditation Commission 2018 Conference Presenters: Erin Schmidt
TBA
“Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?” of the National Accreditation Commission – This informative session will provide an overview of the National Accreditation Commission and how it can serve your program and families in meaningful ways. It is designed to ensure that all participants establish a core understand of both process and procedure. A brief history of the system, an overview of the accreditation process, a review of the self-study steps and tips for using the Accreditation Manual for program improvement will be the basis for this workshop.
10:30am – 12:15pm
B 401-Leading from the Middle of the Pack 2018 Conference Presenters: Lori Buxton
TBA
This session is specially tailored for mid-tier leaders such as Assistant Directors, department directors, coordinators and emerging leaders. So often we can find ourselves caught in the middle of competing needs, agendas and roles as we facilitate the day to day activities in center life. Understanding the high value and unique purpose of your leadership role will help you to excel in your current role and prepare for future leadership opportunities.
10:30am – 12:15pm
B 402-When You Can't Go Around or Over Your Mountain-Leading Through the Tough Stuff 2018 Conference Presenters: Mary Hornbeck
TBA
Stuff happens and Murphy's Law is a real thing. Even when you have the best intentions and plans at the ready, the one thing you didn't have a plan for can come screaming out of left field. The most difficult circumstances can be a source of your greatest victories as a leader. Sharing her real life experiences and lessons learned along the way, Mary will help you get through your mountain when all the ways around it are blocked!
10:30am – 12:15pm
B 403-Staff.Retrain.Develop 2018 Conference Presenters: Shannon Hendricks
TBA
This workshop will focus on staffing the child care center. Practical tools will be provided to retain staff and develop them by utilizing all their strengths.
10:30am – 12:15pm
B 404-Making Social Media Work for You 2018 Conference Presenters: Catherine Henris, Maggie Henris Social media can be your best friend or your worst enemy depending on how well-equipped you are to manage it. Two generations of leaders will share their perspective on the changing communication landscape and their expertise on how to harness the power of social media to grow and enhance your program and business.
TBA
10:30am – 12:15pm
B 405-ADA and Preschool Inclusion 2018 Conference Presenters: Dawn Martini
TBA
ADA requires that children with disabilities have access to regular curriculum and are educated in settings that are typical and include same aged peers. However inclusion in the preschool setting is very different than inclusion in higher education levels and can present its own unique challenges. This session will focus on inclusion in the early education context. We will look at ADA as the backbone of preschool inclusion, discuss the rationale for preschool inclusion and identify the challenges and core obstacles child care providers often face in the preschool inclusion classroom. We will then look into strategies for successful preschool inclusion, focusing on collaboration and a shared vision for participation of all children in a preschool setting.
10:30am – 12:15pm
406-Money Talk for Your Child Care Center B 2018 Conference Presenters: John D. Hilcher, C.P.A.
TBA
In this workshop you will receive CPA's view into how to prepare budgets and income statement for your program. We will look into how to standardize financial and economic reporting making use of accounting programs such as Quick Books and Excel. We will discuss methods for strengthening economic and accounting controls in your program thus making your center run more efficiently. You are encouraged to bring copies of your program's financial statements or most recent tax returns for discussion.
10:30am – 12:15pm
B 407-Accreditation Quality Classroom: A Pictoral View 2018 Conference Presenters: Suzette Hescht
TBA
Join Suzette, a veteran validator for the National Accreditation Commission, will share valuable insights on what a quality, accredited classroom looks like, how it functions and how it benefits children.
12:30pm – 2:15pm
E Munch & Mingle with Exhibitors
TBA
Take advantage of this final opportunity to network with our outstanding conference exhibitors and conference participants over lunch. Remember, these are the people who work hard to support your role as a leader and the implementation of your programs. They want to know you and know how to help you!
2:30pm – 4:15pm
B 501-Reach Today's Millennials with Technology 2018 Conference Presenters: Susan Testaguzza
TBA
Technology is essential for reaching today’s millennial parents and teachers. But what hardware, software and content should you use for marketing, administration, documentation, communications and planning? What “Best Practices” should you deploy? This workshop will dive into these topics and unveil the results of research conducted in the field, comparing different types of hardware and software. Learning Outcomes: Participants will learn the following: 1. Digital marketing is the best way to reach millennial parents 2. Millennial parents are more likely to enroll at a center they perceive to be “high tech” 3. Digital documentation & communications is best for family engagement and QRIS compliance 4. Digital lesson planning can assist with individualizing instruction 5. Reporting data is a powerful tool to help you manage your business, including forecasting transitions and identifying vacancies 6. Hardware and software options vary, and research supports some options over others Tomorrow’s early childhood classrooms look high-tech with technology for teachers, students and parents. This session will help early childcare providers to develop strategies for using technology and to make informed decisions when choosing equipment and software.
2:30pm – 4:15pm
B 502-Building an Effective Team 2018 Conference Presenters: Alicia Williams, M.S.L. Participants will learn ways to select and train the best candidate for their organization. Participants will also identify techniques that combat teacher turnover while being encouraged to develop understanding of their own leadership style.
TBA
2:30pm – 4:15pm
B 503-Bend, Don't Break: Inspiring Resiliency 2018 Conference Presenters: Rachel Supalla
TBA
As directors and leaders in the field of early childhood, we have potential for accomplishing extraordinary things. The truth is that although we all have this potential, we also have the great challenge of experiencing and feeling unbelievable trauma, adversity and stress. We live in a world where we are forced to wear our heart on our sleeve and at times, we have nothing left to give. It isn't a secret that director and teacher burnout is high. We have learned how important it is to build resilience in children. However, how do we translate that same confidence into our own lives and how do we inspire our team to follow suite? This session will address those common questions and will give you the tools to be braver and stronger. We will briefly discuss brain development and executive functioning skills and how that will turn us into positive leaders and extend our reach to the world.
2:30pm – 4:15pm
B 504-Transforming Program Quality 2018 Conference Presenters: Susan MacDonald, M.Ed.
TBA
Effectively impacting positive change requires leaders to assess the strengths and areas of growth for all aspects of their program and then consistently take the steps necessary to facilitate the changes. A well-developed Program Improvement Plan is the starting point for creating a culture of continuous quality improvement in early childhood programs. Participants will be guided through a series of exercises that will form the foundation of a Program Improvement Plan for their program.
2:30pm – 4:15pm
B 505-Keys to Work/Life Balance 2018 Conference Presenters: Rebecca Foster, Crystal Jennings
TBA
Work/life balance. Such a simple phrase, filled with anything but simple challenges. This dynamic leadership duo will drill down to what it takes not only to achieve this elusive state of leadership but maintain it so that the people in your life, both professional and personal, experience the very best of your talents, your time and your heart.
2:30pm – 4:15pm
B 506-Parent Partnerships that Work 2018 Conference Presenters: Lynette Galante
TBA
Of the many relationships leaders have to successfully navigate, the parent relationship can be one of the more challenging. Lack of time, intention and purposeful investment can leave this crucial connection in less than exceptional condition. In this session, we will talk about why it is so hard, how we can overcome obstacles and challenges and how we can get our staff on board in seeing parents as people, not problems.
2:30pm – 4:15pm
B 507-Leading Your Team Through National Accreditation Commission Journey 2018 Conference Presenters: Colleen Tracy Haddad
TBA
Put Me in Coach! So you are ready to begin the Accreditation process! How do you lead your team through the process in your already busy schedule? How do you gain buy-in from your teaching staff? Planning for success and being aware of potential hurdles will help you stay on your path. We will use the National Accreditation Commission Self-Study Timetable to develop a strategy for success. We can help you get your team fired up, engaged and committed to this important journey! Let us show you how to replace intimidated with INSPIRED!
6:00pm – 10:00pm
E Dinner in Disney Springs Your AELL Ambassadors will be facilitating dinner outings at various Disney Springs restaurants. Group sizes will be limited and individual restaurant group sign ups will be available at conference. Select this outing option if you would like to be contacted with specific information as details become available.
Off Site
AELL 34th Annual National Conference-How Successful Directors Lead! B Breakout Session
G General Session
APRIL 28 • SATURDAY 9:00am – 10:45am
B 601-Executive Presence 2018 Conference Presenters: Donna Thornton Roberts
TBA
Increase your voice and power as a leader. Donna has experienced every level of leadership and has served as a national advocate for early care and education. Join her in the confidence building, purpose driven session designed to equip and empower you to lead exceptionally.
9:00am – 10:45am
B 603-FUN (Foundation for Unique Nurturing) 2018 Conference Presenters: Dawn Brown
TBA
By investing the time and energy to help your staff set and reach goals you can turn your average employees into a team of superstars. By building a fun foundation of appreciation with your employees you will be building loyalty and trust. By building loyalty and trust you will build a firm foundation of employees that want to stay and work for you for many years. In this class participants will learn many activities to use with their staff to make them feel appreciated for a job well done.
9:00am – 10:45am
B 604-My Secret Sauce to Success in a Child Care Center 2018 Conference Presenters: Susan Testaguzza
TBA
Since 1993, I have owned and operated child care centers in central Ohio. Having spent time as a teacher and a director, and having run multiple sites at a time with upwards of 50 employees, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to be successful in the industry. Learning Outcomes: Participants will learn the following: 1. It starts with a good tour 2. The strength of details 3. The power of a specialty 4. Circular prioiritizing 5. Trickle-down management 6. Hands-on vs. Hands-off – the importance of taking time for you Owning and operating a child care center can be both challenging and rewarding. In this workshop, I share some of my tricks of the trade from my experience as being a child care center owner for nearly 25 years.
9:00am – 10:45am
B 605-Managing the Next Generation 2018 Conference Presenters: Dawn Martini
TBA
There are four generations at work today. Managers of different generations often express frustration with the next generations work ethic, commitment, methods and perspective. Participants will be given key strategies for effectively leading the millennial generation and beyond. Strategies include examining and problem solving the limitations of our own expectations and how they impact our leadership of other generations.
9:00am – 10:45am
B 606-Six Strategies for Dealing with Staff Conflict 2018 Conference Presenters: Jennifer Romanoff
TBA
Dealing with staff conflict can be difficult! This webinar will discuss ways to handle difficult people, rules to remember when resolving conflict and how to manage successful and effective teams. Participants will gain ideas to immediately utilize in the workplace to ensure teamwork and a collaborative work place.
9:00am – 11:45am
B 602-Looking Up: The Role of Faith in Leadership 2018 Conference Presenters: Lori Buxton, Lori Picklesimer
TBA
Knowing what you believe and why you believe it is foundational to inspired and lasting leadership. So what role does faith play in leadership? Where does it fit? Why does it matter? What if my faith isn't shared? These are the kinds of questions we'll tackle in this faith-filled session. Leaders of all faiths are invited to participate. Specific faiths may be mentioned as faith resources are discussed but no specific faith system will be represented.
11:15am – 12:30pm
G Closing Keynote: Life Is Good with Steve Gross, M.S.W. 2018 Conference Presenters: Steve Gross, M.S.W.
TBA
