We are excited to open registration for the Michigan DEC Annual Conference! This event will be in-person at Central Michigan University on May 5th, 2023. Lunch is provided.
Take a few minutes to look at the many choices offered through three breakout sessions and for learning with others. Our keynote speaker this year is Dr. Carla Shalaby who will be sharing perspective from her book "Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children at School."
Join us. Register Today!
Close the Agenda
Registration: Friday - 8:00am to 8:30am Lobby Area
Welcome & Opening Keynote: Friday - 8:30am to 9:45am Room118-French Auditorium
Carla Shalaby
Carla Shalaby
Join us to hear from Carla Shalaby as she shares insights and inspirations from her book, "Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedon from Young Children at School."
(Birth-8)
Room 118-French Auditorim
Morning Break: Friday - 9:45am to 10:00am
Morning Breakout Session: Friday - 10:00am to 11:15am
A - Cultural Humility in Practice
Crystallee Crain,
Founder, Principal Consultant, Professor, Author,
Prevention at the Intersections
Dr. Crain will work with participants to understand the difference between cultural competence and cultural humility; examine the importance of cultural humility as an effective framework for professional practice; identify gaps in cultural knowledge and needs for further education about other people’s experiences; analyze a past experience through a cultural humility lens; and examine biases and questions about perceptions of other people and deepen awareness of strategies to actively engage with diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging.
- Conference Strand: Professional Development
- Target Audience: Administrators, Faculty, Families, Practitioners, Researchers
(Birth-8)
227
B - Non-negotiable Self Care for Educators
Mike Croy,
Principal,
Neil Reid High School Macomb Intermediate School District
Stress is inevitable yet how one manages it is a choice. Learn how to frame self-care as a non-negotiable part of your day.
- Conference Strand: By Practitioners for Practitioners
- Target Audience: Administrators, Faculty, Families, Practitioners, Researchers
(Birth-8)
413
C - Programming for Generative Language in Young Children with Autism: Teach More in Less Time
Emily Curiel,
Assistant Professor,
Western Michigan University
For many young children with autism, language intervention is requisite. Matrix training is a strategy that researchers and practitioners can use to systematically arrange, select, and teach a subset of learning targets, which can facilitate the emergence of correct responding to untrained learning targets. Matrix training programs for the emergence of generative language and play skills has been used with individuals with autism, including toddlers. This presentation will share the fundamentals of matrix training, summarize relevant literature, and present data from experimental studies.
- Conference Strand: Research
- Target Audience: Faculty, Practitioners, Researchers
(Birth-8)
309
D - Experiences of Special Education Professionals Supporting Students in Regular Preschool Programs
Alissa Hofstee,
Supervisor of Special Education,
Kent Intermediate School District
This session will be a question-and-answer session featuring a panel of special education providers (teachers and/or related service staff) who provide special education services within Regular Early Childhood Programs (RECPs) such as Head Start, GSRP, tuition-based preschool and childcare settings.
- Conference Strand: By Practitioners for Practitioners
- Target Audience: Administrators, Families, Practitioners
(3-5)
230
E - Exceptional Early Childhood Leaders: How to Show Up & Influence Everything
Sara Leggett,
Director of Early Childhood Special Education,
Livingston Educational Service Agency
Early Childhood leaders will have the opportunity to learn about the science around implementing change, as well as how to engage in learning and reflection about their leadership skills and practices.
- Conference Strand: Practice
- Target Audience: Administrators, Families, Practitioners
(3-5)
311
F - Engaging Families in Learning at Home
Danya Stump,
Early Childhood Consultant,
Oakland Schools
Have you ever had a parent ask you what they can do at home to engage their child in learning activities? There are simple ways to include families in their child’s learning. Forming a relationship with families, maintaining open communication, and sharing activities all help to support learning at home.
- Conference Strand: Family and Practitioner Collaboration
- Target Audience: Practitioners
(3-5)
115
G - MoveON: Dealing with Anger and Anxiety
Karen Tompkins,
Speaker, Educator, Writer,
MoveON with Karen Tompkins
- Participants briefly examine theories related to the reduction of stress. We will focus on the neurobiology of behavior and ways to change that neurochemistry. Through presentation and small and large group activities, participants will leave with a plan to reduce the effects of anxiety in themselves and those they serve.
- Conference Strand: Family and Practitioner Collaboration
- Target Audience: Administrators, Faculty, Families, Practitioners, Researchers
(3-8)
231
Lunch & Poster Sessions: Friday - 11:15am to 12:00pm Lobby Area
Awards Gathering & Raffle: Friday - 12:00pm to 12:30pm Room118-French Auditorium
Afternoon Break 1: Friday - 12:30pm to 12:45pm
Afternoon Breakout Session 1: Friday - 12:45pm to 2:00pm
A - Active Learning in the Child Development and Learning Lab
Hailey Fenslau,
Student Teacher,
Child Development and Learning Lab, Central Michigan University
Gabrielle Rothrock,
Student Teacher,
Child Development and Learning Lab, Central Michigan University
Hunter Smith,
Student Teacher,
Child Development and Learning Lab, Central Michigan University
Mallory Wenglikowski,
Student Teacher,
Child Development and Learning Lab, Central Michigan University
This session includes an overview and tour of Central Michigan University’s Child Development and Learning Laboratory. Led by four current Early Childhood Student Teachers, insights, and experiences of utilizing a Reggio-inspired philosophy will be shared. Highlights include learning details about classroom and collaborative spaces, as well as documentation and supporting developmentally appropriate practices.
- Conference Strand: Practice
- Target Audience: Practitioners
(3-5)
Child Development & Learning Lab
B - Creating a Sensory Friendly Learning Environment for Neurodiverse and Neurotypical Students
Sheila Hartley,
Educational and Behavioral Consultant,
SenseSational Learning Group
The environments in which we spend our time directly impact our thoughts, feelings, and well-being. To maximize learning and comfort for each person in the learning community, we must consider how to create a sensory friendly learning environment. A variety of recommended inclusive strategies will be presented to ensure that your classroom community values align with different learning styles and the arrangement of your learning environment.
- Conference Strand: By Practitioners for Practitioners
- Target Audience: Administrators, Faculty, Families, Practitioners, Researchers
(Birth-8)
230
C - The Trouble with Tech: Electronic Toys Impact Language Learning Opportunities
Jennifer Johnson,
Speech Language Pathologist,
Michigan State University
Courtney Venker,
Assistant Professor Speech Language Pathologist,
Michigan State University
Electronic toys—toys that talk, sing, play music, and/or light up—are often marketed as offering educational benefits. However, there is growing evidence that they may compromise the quality of play interactions. In this session, we will discuss the effects of toy type on communication between parents and young children.
- Conference Strand: Family and Practitioner Collaboration
- Target Audience: Families, Practitioners, Researchers
(Birth-5)
227
D - Stepping Up Early Care and Learning with the Pyramid Model: The What, Why, and How
Noel Kelty,
Assistant Professor,
College of Education, Saginaw State University
Mary McKrain,
Infant Mental Health Consultant,
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Nurturing young children’s social and emotional health now can help their success in school and life forever. Participants will learn research informed tips and tools to promote social and emotional health and critical relationships within early care and education, including Pyramid model practices and other resources tested within Michigan.
- Conference Strand: Professional Development
- Target Audience: Administrators, Faculty, Families, Practitioners, Researchers
(Birth-5)
311
E - Preventing and Managing Compassion Fatigue
Phillip Pittman,
Educational Consultant,
New Oakland Family Centers
Jessica Rock Jackson,
Director of Behavior Technicians and Marketing,
New Oakland Family Centers
During this interactive presentation, participants will gain practical tools for practicing effective self-care and achieving compassion satisfaction while learning how to prevent burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion fatigue.
- Conference Strand: Family and Practitioner Collaboration
- Target Audience: Administrators, Faculty, Families, Practitioners
(Birth-8)
115
F - Accessible Language Learning for All: A Family Centered Approach to Core Vocabulary
Cassidy Silverthorn,
Service Coordinator, Speech-Language Pathologist,
St Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency
Karen Schmidt,
Service Coordinator, Speech-Language Pathologist,
St Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency
Core Vocabulary is a systematic approach to teaching and modeling language. This seminar will introduce Core Vocabulary, how it increases functional communication in children with a family centered approach; as well as supply participants with access to the tools and resources needed for implementation. This is geared for all early interventionists.
- Conference Strand: Practice
- Target Audience: Families, Practitioners
(Birth-3)
231
Afternoon Break 2 & Snacks: Friday - 2:00pm to 2:15am
Afternoon Breakout Session 2: Friday - 2:15pm to 3:30pm
A - Active Learning in the Child Development and Learning Lab
Hailey Fenslau,
Student Teacher,
Child Development and Learning Lab, Central Michigan University
Gabrielle Rothrock,
Student Teacher,
Child Development and Learning Lab, Central Michigan University
Hunter Smith,
Student Teacher,
Child Development and Learning Lab, Central Michigan University
Mallory Wenglikowski,
Student Teacher,
Child Development and Learning Lab, Central Michigan University
This session includes an overview and tour of Central Michigan University’s Child Development and Learning Laboratory. Led by four current Early Childhood Student Teachers, insights and experiences of utilizing a Reggio-inspired philosophy will be shared. Highlights include learning details about classroom and collaborative spaces, as well as documentation and supporting developmentally appropriate practices.
- Conference Strand: Practice
- Target Audience: Practitioners
(3-5)
Child Development & Learning Lab
B - Raising Your Voice for Young Children
Katie Bourbina,
Early Childhood Director,
Monroe County Intermediate School District
Now, more than ever, it is a critical time for educators and leaders to sort out and lift up the needs related to supporting families and educating young children. Join Michigan Division for Early Childhood board members to understand the basics of advocacy, including an overview of appropriations and lawmaking, and how your knowledge, experience and voice can make a difference.
- Conference Strand: Policy
- Target Audience: Administrators, Faculty, Families, Practitioners, Researchers
(Birth-5)
231
C - Compassionate Caregiving - Caring for Young People Without Losing Your Mindfulness
Stacy Gatz,
School Psychologist,
Eaton Regional Education Service Agency
Grace Fannin,
Intern, Student Teacher,
Eaton Regional Education Service Agency
An end to the negative self-talk and emotions that sometimes accompany caregiving are in sight. Using strategies based on acceptance and commitment therapy, it is possible to accept where you are as a caregiver and see growth and joy emerge as you engage with young people and families.
- Conference Strand: Family and Practitioner Collaboration
- Target Audience: Administrators, Families, Practitioners
(Birth-8)
227
D - PLAN for Interactions - FULL
Kathy Gilbert,
Founder, Director, Consultant,
KMG Research
Quality interactions are built on four essential foundational skills. Learn about these foundational skills and how to incorporate them into every interaction you have with the children in your care.
- Conference Strand: Practice
- Target Audience: Practitioners
(3-5)
E - How to Succeed and Communicate Effectively with the Most Challenging Personalities: How to Get Along When You Don't Get Along
Cheryl Levine,
Program Coordinator,
Special Education Mediation Services
Beth Kohler,
Outreach Representative,
Special Education Mediation Services
True family and school collaboration is what we all strive to accomplish, but sometimes personalities and disagreements over how best to educate children create roadblocks to our success. How do you rebuild a trusting relationship when that trust has been broken? What are the most common barriers to collaboration? What is our role, and how do we move forward successfully?
- Conference Strand: Family and Practitioner Collaboration
- Target Audience: Administrators, Faculty, Families, Practitioners
(Birth-8)
115
F - Neurodiversity Affirming Practices: When We Know Better, We Do Better
Amy Lowrie,
Early On and Related Services Director,
Eaton Regional Education Service Agency
Lindsey Grostefon,
ASD Teacher Consultant,
Eaton Regional Education Service Agency
Our presentation focuses on knowing appropriate way to address and teach the neurodiversity population. Now that we know, we want to encourage people to do better. Research has conducted and found the autistic population prefers "person first" language versus ability first, we can do better. We will look at research that shows the importance of neurodiversity affirming language, how and why it has changed over the years, and how we can incorporate this mindset into our everyday special education world.
- Conference Strand: By Practitioners for Practitioners
- Target Audience: Administrators, Faculty, Families, Practitioners
(Birth-8)
230
G - Parenting with ACEs: Preventing Intergenerational ACEs is Possible!
Lacea Zavala,
ACEs Master Trainer,
University of Michigan
Deborah Smith,
Owner,
Wellness InX, LLC
As a parent, you may find the effects of your own Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are amplified when under stress. Your health and that of your children may be impacted by your history of ACEs, but certain positive experiences in our lives can help reduce the effects of that stress and prevent the next generation of ACEs from negatively impacting our children.
- Conference Strand: Family and Practitioner Collaboration
- Target Audience: Families, Practitioners
(Birth-8)
309