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Thursday, February 6
 

9:00am CST

Let's Talk About Brains, Baby: Engaging Families in Conversations about Neurodiversity
Thursday February 6, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Linnaeus Room, Regenstein Center
This workshop equips early childhood professionals with the tools to spark open, meaningful conversations with families about neurodiversity. We’ll explore how to talk about different neurotypes and communication styles in ways that celebrate each child’s unique strengths, fostering understanding and inclusion. Through practical strategies and tools, you'll learn how to guide families in embracing the natural diversity of minds, creating supportive environments where every child feels valued and connected.
Speakers
avatar for Stephanie Boron

Stephanie Boron

Speech and Language Pathologist, Assistant Clinical Professor, Northwestern University
Stephanie Boron is a speech and language pathologist and an assistant clinical professor at Northwestern University. With a focus on creating safe and accessible spaces, Stephanie specializes in neurodiversity-affirming, child-led care, with a special interest in gestalt language... Read More →
Thursday February 6, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Linnaeus Room, Regenstein Center  1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
  Partnering with Families

10:15am CST

Three Pillars of Partnership: Parents, Teachers & Environment
Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Classroom 1, Learning Center
Parents, teachers, and the child’s environments are essential pillars in supporting the development of the young child. In this session, we will highlight not only how teachers can be well-prepared in their work with children and their classroom spaces, but we will also focus on how teachers can partner with parents to guide them in their roles and in their home environments, all with the shared goal of helping each child reach their fullest potential!
Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Classroom 1, Learning Center  1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
  Partnering with Children   Partnering with Families

10:15am CST

Let's Talk About Brains, Baby: Engaging Families in Conversations about Neurodiversity
Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Linnaeus Room, Regenstein Center
This workshop equips early childhood professionals with the tools to spark open, meaningful conversations with families about neurodiversity. We’ll explore how to talk about different neurotypes and communication styles in ways that celebrate each child’s unique strengths, fostering understanding and inclusion. Through practical strategies and tools, you'll learn how to guide families in embracing the natural diversity of minds, creating supportive environments where every child feels valued and connected.
Speakers
avatar for Stephanie Boron

Stephanie Boron

Speech and Language Pathologist, Assistant Clinical Professor, Northwestern University
Stephanie Boron is a speech and language pathologist and an assistant clinical professor at Northwestern University. With a focus on creating safe and accessible spaces, Stephanie specializes in neurodiversity-affirming, child-led care, with a special interest in gestalt language... Read More →
Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Linnaeus Room, Regenstein Center  1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
  Partnering with Families

10:15am CST

The Early Childhood Expert: Embracing your Expertise with Confidence and Self-Trust
Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Classroom 6, Learning Center
As the world of child-rearing, technology, and education continues to evolve, many educators find themselves wondering if their deep understanding of child development still holds true. When a parent seeks answers and guidance about their child, it can be challenging to know when to step in and when to recommend outside support. How do you navigate those conversations in a way that allows everyone, teachers/parents/directors/principals, to thrive in their role? Join Molly Pope, Ed.S., Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, to embrace your expertise, and help parents put their trust in you. Because here’s the truth: you know more than you know. You understand the growth that happens in a child over the course of a year. You know how to meet a child where they are and scaffold learning. You have supported children through their separation anxiety and peer conflicts. Throughout this session, you will be reminded of what you already know about development and how to let that be the foundation to form healthy working partnerships with parents.
Speakers
avatar for Molly Pope

Molly Pope

Founder, Consultant, and Parent Coach, Molly Pope Coaching and Consulting
Molly Pope, EdS, I/ECMH-C, is an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant specializing in supporting children, families, and classrooms. She has worked with young children and families as a school psychologist for 17 years. She strongly believes that for children to learn... Read More →
Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am CST
Classroom 6, Learning Center  1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
  Partnering with Families

11:30am CST

Finding Joy and Partners in the Secret World of Autism
Thursday February 6, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
Alsdorf Auditorium, Regenstein Center
Join parent and advocate Kate Swenson as she reflects back on her family's journey through an autism diagnosis, early intervention, and transition to school services, and the emotional toll these processes can take on a family. In this presentation, she will discuss the transformation she made as not only a parent, but as a person, and the support that parents need from professionals, family members, and those within their community to help their family adjust to this new chapter of life. This presentation will not only inspire but also educate whomever is listening.
Speakers
avatar for Kate Swenson

Kate Swenson

Founder, Finding Cooper's Voice
Kate Swenson is the creator of Finding Cooper's Voice, an online and in-person community, where families of children with disabilities can come together to celebrate, laugh, cry, learn and get support. With over a million followers her goal is to normalize the stigmas surrounding... Read More →
Thursday February 6, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
Alsdorf Auditorium, Regenstein Center  1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
  Partnering with Families

12:35pm CST

Finding Joy and Partners in the Secret World of Autism
Thursday February 6, 2025 12:35pm - 1:35pm CST
Alsdorf Auditorium, Regenstein Center
Join parent and advocate Kate Swenson as she reflects back on her family's journey through an autism diagnosis, early intervention, and transition to school services, and the emotional toll these processes can take on a family. In this presentation, she will discuss the transformation she made as not only a parent, but as a person, and the support that parents need from professionals, family members, and those within their community to help their family adjust to this new chapter of life. This presentation will not only inspire but also educate whomever is listening.
Speakers
avatar for Kate Swenson

Kate Swenson

Founder, Finding Cooper's Voice
Kate Swenson is the creator of Finding Cooper's Voice, an online and in-person community, where families of children with disabilities can come together to celebrate, laugh, cry, learn and get support. With over a million followers her goal is to normalize the stigmas surrounding... Read More →
Thursday February 6, 2025 12:35pm - 1:35pm CST
Alsdorf Auditorium, Regenstein Center  1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
  Partnering with Families

2:30pm CST

Individual School Breakout Sessions
Thursday February 6, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Burnstein Hall, Regenstein Center
If your school has elected to take this time to connect and process at the end of The Summit, then this is the selection for you. The Collaboration Session is designated to allow for reflecting, processing, goal setting, and defining your next steps. Enjoy coming back together with your team, exploring what you have learned, and planning what you would like to take forward in your practice as a school.
Thursday February 6, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Burnstein Hall, Regenstein Center  1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
  Partnering with Children   Partnering with Families   Partnering with Community

2:30pm CST

Sharing Stories, Building Bonds: Documentation’s Role in Community Connectivity
Thursday February 6, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Linnaeus Room, Regenstein Center
In this session, educators will discover innovative approaches to leveraging documentation of student learning as a catalyst for fostering meaningful connections within the school community. Participants will explore practical strategies for engaging parents/caregivers, fellow teachers, students, and visitors through compelling documentation practices. This session is ideal for teachers, administrators, and education professionals seeking to enhance community engagement and collaboration within their school environment.
Speakers
avatar for Meg Fitzgerald

Meg Fitzgerald

Early Childhood Director, Bennett Day School
With a strong love for early childhood education and a passion for best-practice teaching, Meg returns to the Bennett Day School as the Early Childhood Director, bringing seventeen years of experience working with our youngest learners and families. Meg earned a B.S. in Early Childhood... Read More →
avatar for Molly Simmons

Molly Simmons

Lead PreK Teacher, Bennett Day School
As a PreKindergarten teacher with over ten years of experience, Molly has developed a love for teaching within an emergent curriculum that emphasizes a family-focused approach. With a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Erikson Institute, her passion for family-school... Read More →
avatar for Allison Bartolozzi

Allison Bartolozzi

Lead PreK Teacher, Bennett Day School
Allison began her journey working with children during her undergraduate years at Ohio University, where she was first introduced to the Reggio Emilia approach. This inspiring experience in an early childcare center sparked her commitment to progressive education. After several years... Read More →
Thursday February 6, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Linnaeus Room, Regenstein Center  1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
  Partnering with Children   Partnering with Families   Partnering with Community

2:30pm CST

The Early Childhood Expert: Embracing your Expertise with Confidence and Self-Trust
Thursday February 6, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Classroom 6, Learning Center
As the world of child-rearing, technology, and education continues to evolve, many educators find themselves wondering if their deep understanding of child development still holds true. When a parent seeks answers and guidance about their child, it can be challenging to know when to step in and when to recommend outside support. How do you navigate those conversations in a way that allows everyone, teachers/parents/directors/principals, to thrive in their role? Join Molly Pope, Ed.S., Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, to embrace your expertise, and help parents put their trust in you. Because here’s the truth: you know more than you know. You understand the growth that happens in a child over the course of a year. You know how to meet a child where they are and scaffold learning. You have supported children through their separation anxiety and peer conflicts. Throughout this session, you will be reminded of what you already know about development and how to let that be the foundation to form healthy working partnerships with parents.
Speakers
avatar for Molly Pope

Molly Pope

Founder, Consultant, and Parent Coach, Molly Pope Coaching and Consulting
Molly Pope, EdS, I/ECMH-C, is an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant specializing in supporting children, families, and classrooms. She has worked with young children and families as a school psychologist for 17 years. She strongly believes that for children to learn... Read More →
Thursday February 6, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CST
Classroom 6, Learning Center  1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
  Partnering with Families
 
10th Annual Preschool-Kindergarten Summit
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Thursday, February 6
Alsdorf Auditorium, Regenstein Center
Burnstein Hall, Regenstein Center
Classroom 1, Learning Center
Classroom 6, Learning Center
Classroom 8, Learning Center
Linnaeus Room, Regenstein Center
Pullman Room, Regenstein Center
  • Partnering with Children
  • Partnering with Community
  • Partnering with Families