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Special thanks to Texas City ISD and Jimmy Hayley Elementary School for allowing us the space for this event and a tour of the new Calvin Vincent campus!
Jimmy Hayley Elementary
1431 Bayou Rd
La Marque, TX 77568
7:30 am - 3:00 pm
Schedule Overview
Specific room assignments and a campus map will be available at the event.
Kinder - 3rd Grade Teachers
K-3rd Grade teachers will be certified in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Curriculum for kids ages 3-7, Growing Up WILD with WILD Facilitator, Chelsea McAllister.
Click here to learn more about Growing Up WILD.
Click here to view Chelsea's presentation slides.
Child Care Directors
The Child Care Director track will have the following presentations:
Let's Groove: Creating a Playful and Active Culture presented by Valencia Ashley
Transform your program into a place where play thrives! Directors will discover how to spark genuine enthusiasm for play in staff, create irresistible family engagement opportunities, and build organizational cultures where children's natural love of play is celebrated, supported, and amplified by every adult in their community.
Valencia Ashley, M.Ed, Ed.S, BCBA, LBA, brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, special education, and applied behavior analysis to support educators in creating inclusive, effective learning environments. As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Educational Diagnostician, doctoral student specializing in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and current Board Member at Large for the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC), she combines evidence-based practices with practical classroom strategies. Valencia specializes in helping early childhood teams implement collaborative teaching models and develop proactive approaches to supporting all learners.
Filter the Future GTX presented by Thanmayi Parasu and Osman Khan
Filter the Future is a community initiative led by Albert Schweitzer Fellows Thanmayi Parasu and Osman Khan to raise awareness about lead exposure in Galveston. In partnership with Vision Galveston and other local organizations, the project shares information at health fairs, promotes lead screening, and connects families with resources to create safer & healthier homes.
Tour of Calvin Vincent Early Childhood Center presented by Texas City ISD
We're going on a field trip! The newly opened Calvin Vincent Early Childhood Center looks more like a children's museum than a school. Learn what TCISD is doing to prioritize play based instruction to raise the quality of education in the district.
Gardening
Teachers in the Infant & Toddler, PreK, and Spanish Speaking tracks will all rotate through the Hayley Elementary garden with SMART Family Literacy Outreach and Vegetable Education (LOVE) Project Manager, Paula Mian.
Click here to view Paula's gardening handouts.
Infant & Toddler Teachers
The Infant & Toddler Teacher track will have the following presentations:
STREAM in Action presented by Lucy Martinez
This session demonstrates how playful, hands-on experience can introduce children to STREAM concepts. Participants will explore practical strategies to foster creativity, problem-solving, and exploration, creating learning environments where curiosity and play drive meaningful educational outcomes.
Click here for session handout.
Press Play: Rediscovering the Joy of Play as Adults presented by Sarah Smith
Get ready to press play! In this upbeat session, we’ll explore how play rewires and refreshes the adult brain, reflect on the role of play in our own lives, and uncover easy ways to weave it into everyday routines. Together we’ll see why playful teachers spark playful kids!
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Sarah A. Smith is an early childhood educator with over 30 years of experience in childcare environments. She is a Level 2 Trainer with the Texas Trainer Registry, has served as a Texas Rising Star mentor, and is a proud alumna of the Fred Rogers Institute’s Educators’ Neighborhood.
As program director for the Austin-area non-profit child care center, she oversaw the care of medically fragile and special needs children and worked with state agencies to advocate for their personhood, protection, and well-being.
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Her foremost expertise is working with children and families affected by ability differences, neurodivergence, and special needs, helping individuals, families, and programs navigate their Next Steps for giving children of all abilities the support they need to grow and succeed.
In addition to consulting with and providing professional development for childcare programs, Sarah conducts workshops and training sessions that are in demand at conferences throughout Texas.
PreK Teachers
The PreK Teacher track will have the following presentations:
Wiggles, Worms, and Wonders: DIY Nature Activity Backpacks presented by Rhonda Richardson
This session examines practical, hands-on activities educators can use to introduce
nature to children inside and outside of the classroom. A collection of backpacks filled
with low-cost, theme-based items will be explored to give educators ideas for creating
their own activities and lessons in nature.
Rhonda D. Richardson, PhD, is deeply passionate about quality early childhood education and brings over thirty-seven years of experience as a former early childhood teacher, principal, and college professor. She currently serves as a master-level trainer with the Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System and is an Infant-Toddler Specialist. Dr. Richardson is also a Certified Nature Teacher with the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools and a Certified Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.
Session Handouts:
Sensory Safari: Creating Inclusive Multi-Sensory Play Experiences presented by Valencia Ashley
Transform outdoor spaces into sensory wonderlands! Learn to create inclusive sensory play experiences using natural textures, sounds, and movements. This hands-on session provides evidence-based strategies for supporting children with sensory processing differences while enhancing development for ALL learners through nature-based sensory exploration.
Spanish Track
The Spanish track will have the following presentations:
Developing and Enhancing Learning Centers presented by Amanda Vazquez
Learning centers are more than just areas in a classroom—they’re powerful tools for exploration, discovery, and meaningful learning. This interactive training guides early childhood professionals in designing intentional, engaging learning centers that promote development across all domains.
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Amanda is a passionate childcare leader and bilingual trainer, with over 15 years of experience in early childhood education. A mother of three, she specializes in child development, empowering educators, and creating safe, nurturing environments where children flourish, families thrive, and communities grow.
STREAM in Action presented by Lucy Martinez
This session demonstrates how playful, hands-on experience can introduce children to STREAM concepts. Participants will explore practical strategies to foster creativity, problem-solving, and exploration, creating learning environments where curiosity and play drive meaningful educational outcomes.
Click here for the session handout.