Gather ideas for your teachers and go on an educational adventure with Susan as she shares her proven, creative techniques for keeping children's attention throughout a whole lesson. Kids are actively engaged wondering, what's next? You will too as you visit a jungle inside a tent, watch as characters from books appear out of a magic bag and become a rain cloud during story play time.

Tennessee Association for
Children's Early Education
Reaching Potential Together
TACEE Preconference Sessions
Friday, September 8, 2023
9:00-3:30
Room 141
Audience:
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infant teachers
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toddler teachers
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family child care providers
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directors
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administrators
Building Social and Emotional Skills for Infants and Toddlers: Pyramid Model 101.
Presenters: Ashley MacNish & Taylor Thurnau
Emails: ashley.c.n.macnish@vanderbilt.edu & taylor.thurnau@tnvoices.org.
Want to learn more about the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children (Pyramid Model)? Join us as we start at the very beginning introducing the Pyramid Model framework and how it provides adults with the foundation to teach social and emotional skills to children 0 - 3 in a variety of settings. Highlights will include how prevention, equity, inclusion, trauma informed care, anti-bias practice, the use of data, and understanding behavior are integrated into the Pyramid Model. Learn where to find resources to begin implementation of the Pyramid model.
Room 145
Audience:
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preschool teachers
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family child care providers
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directors
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administrators
Building Social and Emotional Skills in Preschoolers: Pyramid Model 101
Presenters: Beth Vorhaus & Gracie Stubbs
Emails: Beth.a.vorhaus@vanderbilt.edu & gstubbs@tnvoices.org
Want to learn more about the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children (Pyramid Model)? Join us as we start at the very beginning introducing the Pyramid Model framework and how it provides adults with the foundation to teach social and emotional skills to children 3 - 5 in a variety of settings. Highlights will include how prevention, equity, inclusion, trauma informed care, anti-bias practice, the use of data, and understanding behavior are integrated into the Pyramid Model. Learn where to find resources to begin implementation of the Pyramid model.
Room 149
Audience:
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preschool teachers
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primary grade teachers
"Get the Teacher to Her Chair!"- Early Coding and Computer Science Fundamentals, On and Off device, with Preschoolers.
Presenters: Alissa Lange, Director of Center of Excellence in STEM Education &
Amie Perry, graduate student at ETSU
Really? Coding with 3-to-5-year-olds? Yes! Young children are already thinking like computer scientists. They can identify a challenge, think logically, and find multiple solutions to a problem. We can enhance this by providing activities and language to build on what we are already doing in the classroom, and to encourage the foundational skills that underly early coding - and so much of early S.T.E.M. and integrated learning! The presenters have over 15 years of experience facilitating early STEM workshops for educators, and they will share resources, ideas, and tips from multiple existing organizations to enhance teaching practice. Attendees will get ideas to use both on and off-device, and they will get a materials kit to take back to the classroom to use right away.
Room 153
Audience:
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everyone
Emergency Preparedness
8:30-11:30
CPR- CANCELED!
12:00-4:15
TACEE Conference Sessions
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Session A
8:00-9:15
Infant Mental Health Practices
Room 153
Emergency Preparedness: An Early Relational Approach
Presenters: Katie Woodard & Keena Friday-Gilbert
Email: katieW@aimhitn.org
The toolkit is designed to help home visitors understand the early relational impact of disasters on families. While also providing early relational techniques for helping caregivers create comprehensive emergency response plans. We will provide guidance on how to utilize the toolkit to work with families on preparing, responding, and recovering from emergency events. This includes natural disasters, but also tools for responding to events such as gun violence or grieving.
Session B
12:30-1:30
How Relationships Shape Who We Become
Presenters: Beth Huber
Email: bethh@aimhitn.org
This training will help to explain how a child's early relationship experiences set the stage for future brain functioning. We will show how healthy brain relationships depend on the quality and reliability of a young child's relationships with the most important people in his or her life.
Session C
2:00-3:00
Filling Your Toolbox: Co-Regulation Tools for Infants and Young Children
Presenters: Kristin Williams & Josie Davis
Email: KristinW@aimhitn.org
Self-regulation is a learned skill that does not come naturally to children. It is up to caregivers to teach children healthy tools that help manage their emotions through co-regulation. Presenters will discuss how to co-regulate in three steps: provide a warm, responsive relationship; structure the environment; and teach self-regulation skills. Attendees will leave with co-regulation tools they can use in their classroom when big feelings arise. Children all learn and grow differently, therefore, not all tools work for every child. The more tools in our toolbox, the more resources, and techniques we have to utilize successfully.
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Session A
8:00-9:15
Inclusion and Family Support
Room 250
Fostering Inclusion: Building a Thriving Classroom Community for All
Presenter: Diane Lovino
Email: diovino@midcumberland.org
In this workshop, we will explore the concept of an inclusion classroom and discuss effective strategies for fostering a thriving classroom community where every student feels valued, respected, and included. We will delve into the importance of embracing diversity, promoting equity, and creating an inclusive learning environment that caters to the unique needs of all students.
Session B
12:30-1:30
It Makes "Sense" : Utilizing Sensory Strategies to Increase Positive Behaviors
Presenters: Monica Stone & Sarah Moore
Emails: Monica_Stone@signalcenters.org & Sarah_Moore@signalcenters.org
This presentation will explore the connection between meeting a child's sensory needs and increasing positive behaviors. Through lecture, discussion and activities, an overview of sensory systems and practical strategies will be discussed. Participants will leave with inclusive approaches to use with all children, especially children with disabilities.
Session C
2:00-3:00
Working with Families Experiencing Homeless: Engagement and Support
Presenters: Nikki Baker & April Bryant
During this workshop, participants will be able to define Homelessness according to the McKinney-Vento Act as well as understand some of the causes and effects of homelessness on children and families. Participants will also be able to recognize signs families and children may experience and learn about resources to provide support.
Saturday, September 9, 2023
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Leadership
Room 251
Session A
8:00-9:15
Building Relationships Matters
Presenter: Crystal Campbell
Join me in a robust and transparent discussion on the importance of relationships in the early care workplace. We will discuss how to build and maintain relationships with parents, children and colleagues. This session will immerse you in self-reflection and humor.
Session B
12:30-1:30
Building Foundations: Nurturing the Leadership Pipeline in Early Childhood Education
Presenters: Alyssa Diuro & Travis Burnett
Email: alyssadituro@gmail.com
Unlock the potential within your early childhood education institution by joining our empowering workshop on "Building Leadership Pipelines in Early Childhood Education." Designed for educators and administrators, this transformative session will delve into strategies for cultivating a strong and sustainable leadership pipeline. Learn how to identify emerging leaders, foster their professional growth, and create pathways for advancement within your organization. Explore effective mentoring techniques, succession planning, and the importance of empowering leadership at all levels. Leave inspired and equipped with practical tools to shape the future of early childhood education through the development of a robust leadership pipeline.
Session C
2:00-3:00
The Magic of Wonder
Presenter: Susan Frizsell
Email: susanlwf@mac.com
Gather ideas for your teachers and go on an educational adventure with Susan as she shares her proven, creative techniques for keeping children's attention throughout a whole lesson. Kids are actively engaged wondering, what's next? You will too as you visit a jungle inside a tent, watch as characters from books appear out of a magic bag and become a rain cloud during story play time.
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Session A
8:00-9:15
Early Literacy
Room 149
How to Bring A Book to Life!
Presenters: Shannon Albee & Elizabeth Atack
Email: shannon.albee@nashville.gov
Dramatic play is one of the most engaging ways for preschool students to learn. These workshops will show how to use books to create dramatic play "adventures" for students to play and learn all sorts of subjects while also learning literacy skills.
Session B
12:30-1:30
Supporting Social & Emotional Wellness Through Early Literacy
Presenter: Dr. Natalie Griffin
Email: natalie.griffin@mtsu.edu
Children's literature is one of the most effective tools for promoting various forms of learning in early childhood. In addition to cognitive development and growth of academic skills, literacy can benefit young children as they learn social and emotional skills, and cultivate wellness in these areas. This session will focus on using literacy in the birth through PreKindergarten years to build social and emotional well-being. Current research will be presented as well as ways to apply this knowledge in the early childhood classroom.
Session C
2:00-3:00
Great Books to Read to Infants and Toddlers
Presenter: Lisa Maddox-Vinson
Email: emaddoxv@tnstate.edu
This session will address why we must support early literacy and language development. We will discuss the differences between reading to infants and toddlers compared to preschoolers and the associated challenges. These books will be great additions to your infant/toddler classrooms.
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Art, Music, Action
Room 145
Session A
8:00-9:15
Art Exploration through Folk Tales and Fairy Tales
Presenters: Ashmin Small & Ashley Holman
Join us on a journey of combining Folk Tales and Fairy Tales with explorations in Art Experiences. When you walk into our room you will walk into a library full of literary joy as we go back in time to explore some classics from around the world. You will then travel to the world of art as we connect each story with an artistic experience.
Session B
12:30-1:30
Go With the Flow: Maximizing STEM Through Natural Teachable Moments
Presenter: Misha Davydov
Email: davydovmr@gmail.com
Children are drawn to the natural world. They are often confused and captivated by the plants, animals, and natural phenomenon that they come across in their daily lives. This session is focused on learning to harness these moments of natural curiosity to enrich and support STEM education.
Session C
2:00-3:00
Music and Movement for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Presenter: Dr. Jennifer Vannatta-Hall
Whether used to build community or offer opportunities for creativity, self-expression, and enjoyment, music and movement are critical components of excellent early childhood teaching (NAEYC, 2021). This session will explore how teachers and caregivers can incorporate music and movement into everyday play and activities for children ages birth through 5. Participants will actively engage in and experience music and movement activities that you can incorporate with young children.
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Session A
8:00-9:15
Early Grades
Room 105
An Introduction to Trust-Based Relational Intervention: Practical Tools for Helping Trauma-Impacted Students
Presenter: Dr. Pamela Kramer Ertel
Email: pamela.ertel@mtsu.edu
Children who have experienced adversity, early harm, toxic stress, and/or trauma often have complex needs that impact their behavior and learning. This session will introduce the practical strategies of Trust-Based Relational Intervention to support anyone that works with children to help them meet their highest potential.
Session B
12:30-1:30
Diverse Interactive Read Alouds for Primary Students
Presenter: Bonnie Barksdale
Email: bonnie.barksdale@mtsu.edu
In this session, participants will actively participate in exploring diverse texts, reviewing Lexile reading levels, tiered vocabulary, higher order thinking questions, and think alouds. Using the read aloud planning framework, participants will select a diverse text, and work through how to plan an interactive read aloud experience and walk out with a lesson to be used in their classroom.
Session C
2:00-3:00
Telling Their Stories: Reading Motivation and Engagement of Young Black Boys
Presenter: Dr. Natalie Griffin
Email: natalie.griffin@mtsu.edu
Dr. Natalie Griffin will provide an overview of research on reading motivation and engagement in young Black males. With an early childhood education focus, this session will discuss inclusive literacy practices for young learners, especially those representing historically marginalized groups. Dr. Griffin will share some of her work in helping teachers create culturally relevant classrooms through children’s literature.
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Pyramid Model for Preschool
Room 164
THIS PRESENTATION IS CONTINUOUS ACROSS ALL THREE BREAKOUT SESSIONS. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD PLAN TO ATTEND ALL THREE SESSIONS
Presenter: Dr. Natalie Griffin Email: natalie.griffin@mtsu.edu
When challenges happen, preschoolers use behavior to communicate their wants and needs, intentions, and emotions. Participants will learn how they can effectively respond to these communicative attempts and offer appropriate responses to behaviors that challenge for all children, including those with disabilities or suspected delays. Starting with identifying the function of behaviors participants will explore a variety prevention of strategies, replacement skills, and responses to address challenging behaviors through a strength-based approach. All strategies and responses to challenging behavior will be through a lens of a team approach.
Pyramid Model for Infants and Toddlers
Room 141
THIS PRESENTATION IS CONTINUOUS ACROSS ALL THREE BREAKOUT SESSIONS. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD PLAN TO ATTEND ALL THREE SESSIONS
Presenters: Ashley MacNish & Taylor Thurnau Email: ashley.c.n.macnish@vanderbilt.edu
Infants and toddlers communicate their needs, intentions, and emotions through their behavior. Participants will learn how they can effectively respond to these communicative attempts and offer appropriate responses to behaviors that challenge for all children. Join us as we explore the many influences affecting behavior, learn individualized teaching strategies to support children who have delays in social emotional development, understand why challenging behavior occurs and identify strategies to prevent it!