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WHSA 2025 Annual Conference has ended
Venue: Tamarind clear filter
Monday, February 24
 

1:00pm CST

Stress and Resilience: Strengthening Well-Being for Early Childhood Professionals
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
This course offers early childhood educators’ strategies to recognize stressors and explore ways to build resilience in both their personal and professional lives. Participants will reflect on techniques to enhance emotional well-being and consider practical approaches to finding balance and maintaining a positive outlook in their work. The training aims to support educators in navigating challenges with greater ease and promoting a healthier, more resilient mindset.

Evaluate this session: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/23GPLLN
Speakers
avatar for Nicole Cusimano

Nicole Cusimano

Social and Emotional Development Content Specialist, YoungStar Connect
Nicole Cusimano is a dedicated Social Emotional Content Specialist with over a decade of experience in Early Childhood Education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education Leadership and has recently earned Endorsement from the Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental... Read More →
Monday February 24, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
Tamarind

3:00pm CST

Nature Play for Every Child: Explore PLT’s “Trees & Me”
Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
Nature play doesn’t have to be limited to special outdoor schools. Every child deserves to have outdoor exploration in their day! We will get hands-on with Project Learning Tree’s “Trees & Me” curriculum, looking at fun and meaningful ways to bring little learners outside regardless of their location. We will also explore using natural materials for indoor learning. Participants (limit 25) will receive “Trees & Me” and will leave feeling prepared to add more nature play into their curriculum.

Please evaluate this session: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NVM2QZY
Speakers
avatar for Nicole Filizetti

Nicole Filizetti

LEAF Outreach Educator, Project Learning Tree
Nicole has a B.S. in Biology/Ecology, a secondary science teaching certificate, and an M.S. in Science Education from Northern Michigan University. She has been with the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education since 2013, assisting with professional development for the LEAF... Read More →
avatar for Steve Schmidt

Steve Schmidt

My title is Forestry Education Outreach Specialist, UW Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Monday February 24, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
Tamarind
 
Tuesday, February 25
 

1:00pm CST

DCF YoungStar Analysis and Update Project
Tuesday February 25, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
How can YoungStar, Wisconsin's child care quality rating and improvement system, evolve to better meet the needs of children and the adults who care for them in today's world? In this session we will share some of the early analysis from DCF's statewide campaign where we listened to the experiences, needs, and suggestions of providers, families, and early care and education partners. We will provide opportunity to expand on topics of interest, discuss next steps in the project, and share how to stay involved.

2024 Community Engagement Findings From Providers and Parents/Caregivers:
https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/5835.pdf
https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/5835s.pdf

Please evaluate this session: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GVJQXWT
Speakers
avatar for Terra Klein

Terra Klein

Strategic Quality Initiatives Section Supervisor, Department of Children and Families Bureau of YoungStar
Terra Klein serves at the Strategic Quality Initiatives Section Supervisor for the Department of Children and Families Bureau of YoungStar. Terra and her team oversee multiple initiatives that promote equitable access to high-quality early care and school age education in Wiscons... Read More →
avatar for Daria Hall

Daria Hall

Policy Initiatives Advisor, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
Daria Hall serves as the Policy Initiatives Advisor for the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Early Care and Education. She works with Department leadership, staff, and stakeholders to develop and implement policies that impact Wisconsin’s early care and... Read More →
Tuesday February 25, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CST
Tamarind

3:00pm CST

Nature Play for Every Child: Explore PLT’s “Trees & Me”
Tuesday February 25, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
Nature play doesn’t have to be limited to special outdoor schools. Every child deserves to have outdoor exploration in their day! We will get hands-on with Project Learning Tree’s “Trees & Me” curriculum, looking at fun and meaningful ways to bring little learners outside regardless of their location. We will also explore using natural materials for indoor learning. Participants (limit 25) will receive “Trees & Me” and will leave feeling prepared to add more nature play into their curriculum.

25 person max session
(Repeat from day 1)

Please evaluate this session: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NVM2QZY

Speakers
avatar for Nicole Filizetti

Nicole Filizetti

LEAF Outreach Educator, Project Learning Tree
Nicole has a B.S. in Biology/Ecology, a secondary science teaching certificate, and an M.S. in Science Education from Northern Michigan University. She has been with the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education since 2013, assisting with professional development for the LEAF... Read More →
avatar for Steve Schmidt

Steve Schmidt

My title is Forestry Education Outreach Specialist, UW Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Tuesday February 25, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm CST
Tamarind
 
Wednesday, February 26
 

8:30am CST

Using Early Literacy to Support Young Children with IEPs.
Wednesday February 26, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CST
Have you ever wondered how to address your Early Childhood special education students' unique early literacy skills? If so, this session is for you! Come join us and take part in this interactive learning session where you will learn some evidence-based teaching strategies designed to meet your students’ unique early literacy needs. This session will also introduce you to a variety of adaptations you can easily make and activities you can plan to increase participation and engagement.

Please evaluate this session: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XQR8WS6
Speakers
avatar for Sandy Miller

Sandy Miller

EL-TAI Specialist, CESA 6
Sandy is a former EC:SE, EBD, 4K, and Title One preschool teacher who is passionate about inclusive education opportunities. Sandy is currently a statewide Early Learning Technical Assistance and Implementation Specialist as well as a Pyramid Model trainer. She holds a master’s... Read More →
avatar for Cindy Prendergast

Cindy Prendergast

EL-TAI Specialist, CESA 1
Cindy Prendergast has a bachelor's degree in early childhood/early childhood special education and a master's degree in curriculum and leadership. She has been in the field of early education throughout her career, and is passionate about play-based learning, inclusion, and  social... Read More →
Wednesday February 26, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CST
Tamarind

10:30am CST

Ditch the Screen! Revitalizing Creativity Through Play
Wednesday February 26, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CST
Be present with children as they play! A child's living space is full of novel items that can be used creatively when the screens are put away.  Screens can limit a child's development, but a parent being present during play time can encourage language growth, social-emotional skills, and problem-solving abilities. Join us as we ditch the screens and revitalize old-fashioned, creative play!

We will discuss the ramifications of our society's reliance on screens.
Participants will learn about the impact of screentime on language learning, social-emotional development, problem solving skills, and more!

Participants will gain ideas and activities that encourage creative play through using household items.
We will collaborate with participants to empower parents to teach their child though play.

Please evaluate this session: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GCW8C6G

Speakers
TH

Terri Hafenbreadl

Home Based Programs Manager, Renewal Unlimited/Head Start
Terri Hafenbreadl is the Manager of Home-Based Programs at Renewal Unlimited, Inc. She was a classroom teacher for many years, most of which were spent in Preschool and Kindergarten. She has worked in Head Start Programs as a Parent Educator, a Classroom Teacher, Site Supervisor... Read More →
MV

Melissa Vanecek

Parent Educator Supervisor, Renewal Unlimited/Head Start
Melissa R. Vanecek has been a Parent Educator supervisor for 3 years for Head Start/Early Head Start under the agency Renewal Unlimited.  She started out as a Parent Educator and became supervisor so is very familiar with the role and importance of home visiting.  Melissa enjoys... Read More →
Wednesday February 26, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CST
Tamarind
 
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