Past Programs

Since 2003, TECPA has offered hundreds of important professional development opportunities to our audience of early childhood professionals, afterschool group leaders, early elementary teachers, family childcare providers, program administrators, and all who care about children and families. With each year we have invited thought leaders, researchers, and professionals from a variety of fields to share their work with us and allow us all to continue to grow in our professional careers.

Check out some of our most recent programs here:

Neurological Disorders: Assisting Diverse Learners
Presented by Dr. Maria Sargent, Ph.D., M.Ed.

This presentation provides an overview of the neurological processing disorders that cause students to struggle with understanding, play-based activities, and academic content. Problems to be examined include visual, sensory, and auditory disorders, as well as dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and reading disabilities. Dr. Sargent will provide exercises that will show how a child with these disorders views the world to assist in our understanding of these issues. Techniques to assist children, with or without these conditions, will be presented.

Time Management for ECE Professionals
Presented by Tracy Cheney, M.Ed.

Do you find yourself running out of time? Often, it seems there are just not enough hours in the day to fit everything in. This workshop explores common mistakes regarding time management (including multi-tasking, procrastinating, not setting goals, etc.) as well as steps you can take to make improvements and finally "get the clock to work for you."

You're NOT My Friend: Understanding, Addressing, and Preventing Bullying
Presented by Cheryl Smith Turner, Ed.S, Reach TLS, LLC

Bullying behaviors can begin at an early age, disguised as targeted meanness, name-calling, teasing or various forms of aggression. When these behaviors are overlooked or dismissed, they can become habitual and damaging to the children involved, as well as those who observe the behaviors. This session will focus on understanding bullying behavior in order to recognize its signals, intervene quickly and teach children the social skills that will support healthy, respectful relationships.

Sensory Processing: The Art of Understanding Behavior
Presented by Jamie Chaves, OTD, OTR/L, SWC

Sensory Processing is foundational to how we learn about our bodies, engage with the environment, interact with others, make meaning out of activities, produce motor responses, and participate in learning. It also has direct links with our regulation and influences our behavior. Yet, deciphering Sensory Processing--and the 8 sensory systems that it includes--can be quite challenging. What does sensory processing actually involve? Why is it so vital for behavior responses, development, and learning? How can you better understand and influence the sensory processing needs of children, students, and ourselves? In our time together we will explore these questions and many more so you will be better equipped to recognize and refer when students need more support, provide accommodations and adaptations, and utilize another tool by which to view behavior!

The Nurtured Heart Approach
Presented by Sam Healy, LICSW

The return of one of our favorite speakers, TECPA is excited to welcome back Sam Healy, LICSW. The Nurtured Heart Approach™ (NHA) is a social emotional curriculum developed for building relationships in which students are intrinsically motivated both academically and pro-socially. With this approach, teacher-student relationships evolve into a culture in which students become invested and engaged in the learning process. At its very core NHA creates intense positive relationships within the academic context. Through capturing and facilitating first-hand experiences of success within typical everyday routines and activities these relationships provide countless opportunities for social emotional, and character development.

Successfully Working with Challenging Behaviors
Presented by Scott Noyes, Empowering Programs

Spoiled? Manipulative? Stubborn? Obstinate? Pushy? The program with these labels is that they imply that the children's behaviors are contemplated and intentional. We quickly find that the usual reward-and-punishment strategies do not work for these children. And working with challenging children can leave us feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, guilt-ridden, and exhausted. Sometimes we reach the point where we feel like the situation is hopeless. So, what do we do? This session looks closely at children with challenging behaviors and explains how to develop systems that help them, support you, assist their classmates, and empower their parents.

ASHI Pediatric CPR, AED & First Aid
Presented by Juanita Allen Kingsley, W-EMT

American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI) Pediatric CPR, AED and First Aid training program provides an ideal training solution for schools, child care providers, youth sports coaches and others required to learn how to respond to medical emergencies involving children and infants. This versatile program is based upon the 2015 CPR and First Aid Guidelines. Participants will receive a 2-year certificate.

ASHI Pediatric CPR, AED & First Aid
Presented by Juanita Allen Kingsley, W-EMT

The Power of Positivity!
Presented by Susan Macdonald, Inspiring New Perspectives

Positive thinking leads to positive outcomes! Positive strengths-based energy is essential for creating vibrant learning communities where children, families, and educators can thrive. This workshop is designed to support early childhood & school age educators as they begin to emerge from this period of stress and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This course will provide an understanding of the current positive psychology research to inspire participants. We will explore how these ten forms of positivity can re-energize your work: Joy - Gratitude - Serenity - Inspiration - Interest - Hope - Pride - Amusement - Awe - Love.The vital importance of modeling positivity in daily actions also be stressed.

Illuminating the Magic & Wonder in Each Child
Presented by Susan Macdonald, Inspiring New Perspectives

Explore the powerful impact that seeing the best in each child can have! This course will focus on strategies for using the principles of Appreciative Inquiry to illuminate the strengths of each child. When children are seen for their strengths, they become more resilient and confident. Learning how to acknowledge and validate the child's unique gifts will help you to build a more positive learning environment where children can thrive.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Presented by Nina Levine, LCSW, MPH Associate Project Coordinator Drug-Free Communities Grant & Certified YMHFA Trainer

Explore Youth Mental Health First aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in youth. This training gives adults the skills they need to reach out and provide initial support to children and adolescents (ages 6-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.

What does the program cover?

• Common signs of mental illness in this age group, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Common signs and symptoms of substance use
• How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis
• How to connect the person with help
• Expanded content on trauma, addiction, self-care, and the impact of social media and bullying

Positive Discipline – That Works!
Presented by Scott Noyes, Empowering Programs

Teaching children how to behave rather than reinforcing inappropriate choices is the focus of this entertaining and informative session. This talk includes:

• why not to use punishment
• humorous vignettes illustrating eight child management techniques
• a discussion of the challenges in implementing the philosophy

An energetic workshop on helping children learn appropriate behavior.