October Summit
October 10, 2020
9:00am- 11:00am LIVE
Join us online for 2 LIVE training hours!
We’ll hear LIVE from Diane Goyette and Kristin Mathis via Zoom!
Pre-recorded breakouts available anytime after 11:00am! All Sessions will be announced soon!
You’ll receive up to 8 training hours and never have to leave your house!
EARLY BIRD PRICING
through October 3rd!
Member Pricing: $50/attendee
Non-member Pricing: $62.50/attendee
Members make sure to login to take advantage of a 20% discount.
Diane Goyette
Child Development Specialist
Honoring Diversity: A Framework for Understanding Differences
LIVE via ZOOM at 9:00am
Kristin Mathis
Occupational Therapist
Connection in a Disconnected world
LIVE via ZOOM at 10:00am
Stacy Benge
Early Childhood Specialist
Do This, Not That! Alphabet Knowledge
Pre-Recorded Breakout
Stephanie Chase
Children’s Minister
Bringing Bible Stories to Life
Pre-Recorded Breakout
Jenice Dames
Administrator, Special Needs Expert
Is There Really A Difference Between Boys and Girls? YES!
Pre-Recorded Breakout
Jennifer Holt
Gifted Educator, Mom
First Responders: Noticing The Early Warning Signs
Pre-Recorded Breakout
Melissa McKenzie
Early Childhood Trainer, Director
Wonderfully Made Classrooms
Pre-Recorded Breakout
Peggy Osborne
Education Consultant, Speaker
Keeping Them Focused on Christ in a Chaotic World
Pre-Recorded Breakout
Honoring Diversity: A Framework for Understanding Differences
Diane Goyette, Childhood Education Specialist
Saturday, October 10, 2020 9:00am(CDT)

Participants will learn a useful framework for understanding cultural differences, and explore how different perspectives fit into this framework. They will practice techniques for resolving cultural conflicts, and leave with suggestions for approaching diversity issues in their programs.
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Core Competencies: Diversity & Dual Language Learners (6.1), Families & Community Relationships (7.1)
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Licensing Standard 745.1309 (f.6,7 Cultural Diversity, Professional Development
Connection in a Disconnected World
Kristin Mathis, Occupational Therapist
Saturday, October 10, 2020 10:00am(CDT)

As competent teachers who care, we must focus on connection. Children were made to connect – to their people, to their peers and to their world. Toxic stress and trauma make this connection both more difficult and crucial. This session will cover some of the science, current research, and powerful tools and tips.
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Core Competencies: Responsive Interactions & Guidance (2.2,4) Observation & Assessment (5.2)
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Licensing Standard 745.1309(b.2,4 Guidance & Discipline, Teacher-Child Interaction) (f.1,10,11 Care of Children with Special Needs, Observation & Assessment, Attachment & Responsive Caregiving)
Do This, Not That! Alphabet Knowledge
Stacy Benge, Early Childhood Specialist
Pre-Recorded

No flash cards? No worksheets? No letter of the week themes? How do children learn letters? Through this session you will learn exciting alternatives to inappropriate letter knowledge instruction and leave ready to throw out flashcards and worksheets and still be able to lay a strong foundation for literacy development
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Core Competencies: Supporting Skill Development (4.3)
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Licensing Standard 746.1309(b.3 Age-Appropriate Curriculum, f.9 Planning Developmentally Appropriate Learning Activities)
Bringing Bible Stories to Life
Stephanie Chase, Children’s Minister
Pre-Recorded

Boring Bible? No way! Learn lots of ways for children to act it, sing it, say it, make it, and take God’s Word home in their hearts and minds in this high energy session.
- Core Competencies: Supporting Skill Development (4.2,3,7)
- Licensing Standard 746:1309 (b.3- Age-appropriate Curriculum)
Is There Really A Difference Between Boys and Girls? YES!
Jenice Dames, Special Needs Expert, Administrator
Pre-Recorded

All children go through the same developmental levels but there are actually some fundamental differences between boys and girls! This session will explore the difference between boys and girls and how this effects what we do in the classroom!
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Core Competencies: Child Growth and Development (1.1, 4); Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards (3.1,2)
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Licensing Standard 745.1309(b.1) Child Growth and Development;
First Responders: Noticing the Early Warning Signs
Jennifer Holt, Special Ed/Gifted Educator, Mom
Pre-Recorded

Preschool teachers are on the frontlines for observing developmental disorders and learning difficulties in children. You are the first to notice when children are falling behind or displaying classic signs of some of the most common learning needs like autism or sensory processing disorders. How can we approach parents in a way that is not offensive while still getting the early intervention a child desperately needs? This session will explore the early warning signs of autism and other developmental disabilities. We’ll also talk about what language to use and how to address parents in a loving, Christ-like way when we have concerns.
- Core Competencies: Child Growth and Development (1.2, 3); Observation and Assessment (5.2); Families and Community Relationships (7.1,4,5)
- Licensing Standard 746.1309 (b.1 Child growth and development; f.1,10 – Care of children with special needs; Guidance and Discipline)
Wonderfully Created Classrooms
Melissa McKenzie, Early Childhood Trainer, Director
Pre-Recorded

Learning centers are just one piece of a wonderfully created classroom. This session will explore the physical and emotional components as well. A well-designed classroom environment promotes learning, reduces stress for children (and teachers!), encourages positive behavior choices, and communicates responsiveness.
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Core Competencies: : Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards(3.1); Supporting Skill Development (4.1); Observations and Assessment (5.3)
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Licensing Standard 746.1309 (f.9 – Planning Developmentally Appropriate Learning Activities)
Keeping Them Focused on Christ in a Chaotic World
Peggy Osborne, Education Consultant, Speaker
Pre-Recorded

Does your life feel like it is spinning out of control? 2020 has certainly been a year of chaos and turmoil. Usually, we know what to expect in our classrooms and from our families, but this year is looking so different from the rest! You may be coming into a classroom family where there is sadness from the loss of a loved one or heightened fear due to our current pandemic and cultural unrest. However, we have the opportunity to remind our families and children that God knew this was coming and has promised that He will walk with us through it all! What can we put into place in our classrooms that will help the children feel safe and secure in the midst of our upside-down world? What are some words we can use with our families to encourage and support them? Are there scriptures we can embed in our day to day teaching that can equip children, parents and ourselves as we tackle each day? Intentional teaching and a well-planned environment during a tough season can make a lasting impact for a lifetime!
- Core Competencies: Child Growth & Development (1.4); Supporting Skill Development (4.1)
- Licensing Standard 745.1309 (b,4) Teacher-child interaction); (f,11) Responsive Caregiving

Diane T. Goyette, M.A., CCHC, is a Child Development Specialist with over 30 years of early education experience, teaching children in public school, university laboratories, faith-based preschools and child care programs. She has taught adults as an adjunct professor and as owner of Early Childhood Specialties, she develops and presents training and provides consulting for early childhood professionals. She holds a master’s degree in Child Development and a Lifetime Texas Educator Certificate for Pre-K and Kindergarten. Diane presents sessions at national and international conferences and keynotes at local and regional conferences. She is especially passionate about the important role of relationships, fostering children’s social and emotional development, and helping teachers work with children who exhibit challenging behavior.

Kristin Mathis is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist who focuses on sensory, learning, behavior and attachment issues in children. Kristin is an experienced weekday teacher and director. She hold a degree in Family and Child Development from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University.

Stacy Benge is an early childhood speaker who approaches learning in the early years with practicality and common sense. In addition to holding a Master of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies, Stacy spent 10 years in the early childhood classroom teaching children ages birth to five. The last 20 years, Stacy has enjoyed sharing her passion for child development with fellow early learning professionals by designing and presenting continuing education courses and seminars. In 2015, Stacy was awarded the Phyllis Jack Moore Professional Development Award that recognizes excellence in professional development in the early education community. Stacy Benge is a Master Level Trainer #1581 on the Texas Trainer Registry.

Stephanie Chase’s experience with kids began as a weekday classroom teacher in Tyler, Texas. She has been an early childhood center director and trainer and now serves as the Kids Minister at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Stephanie also is the author of the TBCWEA curriculum School Age Fun. Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and a Masters in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Jennifer Holt coordinates the Sapphire Special Needs Ministry at Forest Hills Baptist Church. Her passion for this ministry is inspired by her spunky fourteen-year-old son, Sam, who was diagnosed with autism at age three. Jennifer is also a writer for LifeWay Christian Resources where she has written various articles about this topic, as well as Special Friends Sunday School and VBS Curriculum. For the past 18 uears, she has been a Gifted Education Teacher at Edmondson Elementary where she was named both EES and Williamson County Tennessee Teacher of the Year for 2016.

Melissa McKenzie is an Early Childhood Professional who is committed to making learning a joyful journey. She is the FCS Childhood Guidance/Human Resource Practicum Teacher and Preschool Director for Cypress Ranch Preschool in Cypress, Texas. Melissa holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Stephen F. Austin University. She also is a member of the Texas Trainer Registry and currently is responsible for writing the faith-based curriculum for Nabor House Centers.

Jenice Dames oversees the Special Education programing for elementary schools in the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio. Prior to her current position, she served as a Pre-School Educational Specialist at the Education Service Center, Region 20. Jenice also has been a professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio where she taught Special Education and Early Childhood courses. She holds a Bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Southwest Texas State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio.