Early Childhood Conference
Professional development for early childhood, birth-grade 3 teachers, paras, home providers and administrators.
Date and Time
June 2nd - 3rd, 2024
Rise Up... And Play! Based on Exodus 32:6
Concordia University, Nebraska, is proud to host another annual conference for those engaged in early childhood education. Educators, administrators, and others who work with young children, birth through age 8, will benefit from participating in this event.
Registration
Discounted Registration Deadline is May 15th
*Participants in the Full Conference will receive a certificate of attendance noting completion of 9 clock hours of professional development*
Keynote Speakers
Rachel Bausch
Sunday Night Keynote Speaker
Rachel Bausch serves as Early Childhood Administrator at St. John Lutheran School in Ellisville, Missouri. A CUNE alumnus, Rachel loves sharing stories of faith and how we can find joy and comfort in unexpected moments of our work and ministry.
Jim Gill
Monday Keynote Speaker
Jim Gill is a nationally acclaimed author and musician. Over the years his recordings and books have received five separate awards from the American Library Association. His work and thoughts about music play were featured in the PBS Documentary 10 Things Every Child Needs. Most importantly, however, Jim is a child development specialist. He speaks to early childhood educators, child care providers, and children’s librarians at conferences and training events throughout the country about the value of play, in general, and the many connections between music play, school readiness, literacy development and math development. He also illustrates how play-based programming provides opportunities for inclusion of children with special needs.
Lodging Options
Liberty House Bed & Breakfast: (402) 643-2555
East Hill Motel: (402) 643-3679
CobbleStone Inn & Suites:(402) 646-1004
Conference Schedule
Registration 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Registration will be available anytime during this timeframe. If you are able, check-in early and enjoy a leisure stroll around campus, network with others, or visit the Scholastic Book Fair.
Session A 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
A1) Rachel Bausch – Creating Classrooms of Wonder
A2) Katelyn Cody – Music for Each Moment: Confidently Embrace Musical Opportunities to Foster Whole-Brain Development and Delight
A3) Dr. Amy Stradtmann –Turning Pages, Turning Minds: Exploring Print Awareness and Early Literacy with Big Books
A4) Hayley Jackson – Challenging Behaviors 101
Session B 3:45 - 4:45 p.m.
B1) Amy Schultz – Hide it Under a Bushel, NO! I’m Gonna Let HIM Shine!
B2) Katelyn Cody – The Musical Mindset: How Singing and Movement Can Transform Your Preschool Classroom
B3) Hayley Jackson –Intentional Learning Environments
B4) Dr. Drew Gerdes – Three Pillars of Success
Socialization & Appetizers 4:45 - 5:15 p.m.
Keynote Dinner Speaker 5:15 - 7:00 p.m.
Rachel Bausch: Expect the Unexpected
Registration Continues 7:45 - 8:30 a.m.
Coffee and Pastries 7:45 - 8:30 a.m.
Welcome & Morning Keynote 8:45 - 10:30 a.m.
Jim Gill: Music Play is Learning Play!
Session C 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
C1) Dr. Kim Marxhausen – Following the Brain: Creating Expert Learners
C2) Rachel Bausch – Creating Classrooms of Wonder
C3) Jessica Mitchell-McCollough – Ready to Learn: Innovative early childhood multimedia resources to support partnership with families and caregivers
C4) Jack Hilgert – Environmental Education Is (NOT) Just For The Birds!
C5) Ingrid Chavarria - Mindfulness In Early Childhood Settings
C6) Emily Manning - Harmonizing Futures: Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood
Lunch 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
If you have pre-paid for a Conference Box Lunch, it is available for pick-up inside the Janzow Campus Center.
If you plan to eat off campus, downtown Seward is just a few blocks away and offers a variety of options.
Afternoon Keynote 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Jim Gill : A Joyous Way to Learn!
Session D 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
C1) Dr. Kim Marxhausen – Following the Brain: Creating Expert Learners
D2) Amy Schultz – Hide it Under a Bushel, NO! I’m Gonna Let HIM Shine!
D3) Jack Hilgert – Splash Into Summer Fun With Project WET!
D4) Ingrid Chavarria – Partnering with Families
D5) Emily Manning - Smooth Sailing: Exploring the Importance of Transitions and Routines in Early Childhood
D6) Dr. Amy Stradtmann - Beyond the Pages: Teaching Inference with Picture Books
Detailed Session Information Printable PDF
Need more details? Do you have questions?
Contact:
Dr. Drew Gerdes, Conference Chairperson
Email: drew.gerdes@cune.edu
Phone: 402-643-7128
Thank you to Nebraska’s Southeast Early Learning Connection for their funding assistance for our Keynote Speaker, Jim Gill.
Thank you to the Lutheran Church Extension Fund – Nebraska District for their sponsorship of breaks and refreshments during the conference event.
