2026 MCEA Fall Conference: Full Schedule

11:15am CDT

Early Childhood Program Budgeting: From Aid to Accountability

Wednesday October 21, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Whether one is a new or experienced administrator/coordinator, in a small or large district, the budgeting process in early childhood education programs can be challenging. This session will cover some basics, like calculating aid and following statutory requirements, as well as more complex topics, like braiding funds, managing reserve accounts, and ensuring accountability for both program performance and compliance.

Speakers

Mike Brown

Early Learning, MN Department of Children, Youth, and Families

Mike works at DCYF where he supports the administration of early childhood programs. Over 15 years of working at the Minnesota Department of Education and DCYF, Mike has worked with several early childhood programs (e.g., ECFE, Early Learning Scholarships, Head Start, and School Readiness... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Suite 103 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Early Childhood

1:30pm CDT

Early Childhood Screening: Using local data and partnerships to reach all families

Wednesday October 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Suite 110 - Lower Level

This session builds data literacy around Early Childhood Screening for Community Education and Screening leaders, using local demographics to improve access, expand partnerships, and reach unscreened children. Interactive activities explore screening data, discuss partnership strategies, and share storytelling approaches for communicating learning with district leadership.

Speakers

Margo Chresand

Early Childhood Screening Specialist, Department of Children, Youth, and Families

Margo Chresand, MPH, MS, RN, is the Early Childhood Health and Developmental Screening Specialist at the Department of Children, Youth, and Family. She also co-leads (with MDH), the Interagency Screening Task Force made of up Minnesota’s six developmental screening programs. Prior... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Suite 110 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Early Childhood

2:45pm CDT

2028 Early Childhood Licensure: Statewide Updates, Deliverables, and Field Q&A

Wednesday October 21, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

Suite 110 - Lower Level

As Minnesota prepares for the 2028 Early Childhood Licensure requirement, consistent and coordinated guidance is essential. This session shares statewide updates from the early childhood teacher licensure survey, STAR reporting improvements, and current licensure resources designed to support district and charter programs. Presenters will also provide time for Q&A, helping participants connect statewide efforts with their local program needs.

Outcomes

Participants will be able to:
• Describe key statewide updates and supports related to the 2028 licensure requirement.
• Locate current guidance, reporting tools, and available technical assistance.
• Discuss questions and local implications with state partners.

Speakers

Mike Brown

Early Learning, MN Department of Children, Youth, and Families

Kelly Kazeck

Early Childhood Workforce Collaboration Specialist, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)

Kelly is the Early Childhood Workforce Collaboration Specialist in the Early Learning Services division at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Kelly works collaboratively with others across the state on projects, grants, and initiatives to support the early childhood... Read More →

December Lynch

Early Learning Services Supervisor, Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)

December Lynch, supervises the Early Learning Services team at the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), where she champions initiatives that strengthen systems for young children and their families. December is passionate about ensuring equitable access... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Suite 110 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Early Childhood

4:00pm CDT

Early Childhood Screening To Go!

Wednesday October 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT

Suite 111 - Lower Level

Could your program benefit from a mobile outreach vehicle? Rochester has a van that they have used for mobile Early Childhood Screenings, as well as at outreach events for promoting all Early Childhood Family Services programming. Come learn about the van and how we utilize it for early childhood screening and more!

Speakers

Early Learning Coordinator TBD

Early Learning Coordinator TBD, Rochester Public Schools

TBD

Wednesday October 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Suite 111 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Early Childhood

1:30pm CDT

A Decade Strong: Essential Practices for Sustaining Social-Emotional Learning and the Pyramid Model Framework at Pearson Early Learning Center

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Suite 110 - Lower Level

This session will provide an in-depth discussion of the essential components for sustaining social/emotional learning at the early childhood level. After a decade of Pyramid Model Implementation at Pearson Early Learning Center, the team has identified the following essential components for sustainability: strong social/emotional curriculum, consistent language, well-developed scope and sequence of social/emotional learning, community and family engagement activities, staff training and motivation, and a clear fundraising plan.

Key takeaways:
-Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the essential components for sustaining social/emotional learning at the early childhood level (and what this looks like on a day-to-day basis).
-Participants will walk away with specific ideas that can be implemented in their own sites.

Speakers

Steph Kaste

Occupational Therapist, Shakopee School District - Pearson Early Learning Center

Steph Kaste, MA, OTR/L, is an experienced occupational therapist serving Shakopee Public Schools’ Early Childhood programs. A graduate of St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, Steph has worked in a variety of therapy settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home... Read More →

Cortney Olson

School Psychologist, Shakopee School District - Pearson Early Learning Center

Cortney Olson, M.A., Ed.S., is a School Psychologist in the early childhood program of Shakopee school district. A graduate of Northwestern University and the University of Minnesota, she has worked as a School Psychologist for over 20 years. For the past ten years, she has facilitated... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Suite 110 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Early Childhood

2:45pm CDT

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) at Winona Area Public Schools

Thursday October 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

Suite 108 - Lower Level

Learn from us! In this session, Winona ECFE shares how we moved our early childhood programming from nest to network through intentional internal coordination, increased family engagement, exciting community collaborations, and meeting families where they’re at. Through trial and error we filled empty seats, connected with new corners of our community, and learned a few lessons on what didn’t work.

Attendees will learn:

How we’ve enlarged the reach of our program by expanding our focus from birth to third grade.
Several ways that we’ve partnered and collaborated with community organizations.
How we have increased access to our programs through unique family engagement events.

Speakers

Lynnea Pfohl

Parent Educator, Winona Area Public Schools - ECFE

Lynnea Pfohl is in her tenth year working as a parent educator for Winona Area Public Schools. She provides parent education in ECFE, and to teen parents at Winona's ALC, in addition to coordinating the ECFE program.

Mikayla Wolfe

Early Childhood Teacher - ECFE, Winona Area Public Schools - ECFE

Mikayla Wolfe is in her fifth year working as an early childhood educator for Winona Area Public Schools. She provides child enrichment activities and early childhood education opportunities in ECFE, and is also an internal instructional coach for Pyramid Model, which brings her... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Suite 108 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Early Childhood

2:45pm CDT

Early Identification of Mental Health Concerns for Children Birth to 5

Thursday October 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

Suite 110 - Lower Level

In this session, participants will gain understanding of the importance Early Childhood Mental Health. We will cover what typical development and how to identify mental health concerns. Based on concerns participants will gain insight into pathways to getting mental health services and what it will look like for families getting services.

Key Takeaways:
-Understand why Early Childhood Mental is important and what it looks like.
-Individuals will have an understanding of development and how and why it can go off track.
-Understand behaviors from the lens of development and when is behavior clinically significant to assess resources.
-Understand how resources work and the process of getting mental health services.

Speakers

Theresa

Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, LMFT, Fernbrook Family Center

Theresa Spear, LMFT, IMH-E® is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has been working with families since 2004. She has provided services for families with complex mental health concerns using several evidenced based therapeutic approaches that focus on trauma, attachment... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Suite 110 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Early Childhood

11:15am CDT

Making Circle Time Meaningful, Musical, and Memorable!

Friday October 23, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Suite 110 - Lower Level

Circle time is more than gathering children on a rug — it is where connection, learning, movement, and community come together. In ECFE, circle time creates opportunities for children and caregivers to sing, laugh, learn, and build relationships in a joyful and supportive environment.

This interactive presentation explores how to transform circle time into an engaging experience that supports language development, social-emotional growth, early literacy, movement, and family connection. Participants will leave with practical ideas, playful activities, and confidence to create circle times that are developmentally appropriate, flexible, and fun for both children and adults.

Speakers

Jodie Guhl

Educational Assistant, Rochester Public Schools

Jodie has worked in ECFE and Preschool Classes at Rochester Family Services for over 20 years.

Amy Ward

Parent Educator, Rochester Public Schools

Amy Ward
Parent Educator M.ed

Friday October 23, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Suite 110 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Early Childhood

11:15am CDT

Storytime Books and Beyond!

Friday October 23, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Grand Lobby West

This session will feature a visit to Rochester Public Library, including a tour of the Youth Services area, demonstration of storytelling/read aloud techniques (flannelboards, Kamishibai, shadow stories), and highlighting some of our favorite read alouds and how best to use them with a preschool audience. The purpose of this session is to broaden the attendees' knowledge of storytime techniques and the larger role it serves to our youngest community members.

Speakers

Ingrid Alvarez

Youth Services Librarian, Rochester Public Library

Ingrid has worked in libraries in some form or another for over a decade. She presently works in the Youth Services Department at Rochester Public Library providing opportunities for littles and their families to shake their sillies out among other fun learning activities.

Jill Kobler

Library Associate, Rochester Public Library

Jill has worked in Youth Services at Rochester Public Library since 1997, providing enthusiastic customer service to the community through stories and songs.

Friday October 23, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Grand Lobby West 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Early Childhood

1:15pm CDT

Building Belonging Through Family Engagement: Lessons, Tools, and Strategies from Minnesota’s Family Engagement Practices Project

Friday October 23, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT

Suite 108 - Lower Level

How can meaningful family engagement strengthen belonging for children and families? This session shares key lessons from Minnesota's Family Engagement Practices Project and introduces practical tools, resources, and strategies to help early childhood programs build trust, strengthen partnerships, elevate family voice, and support continuous improvement.

Participants will:
• Learn key themes and insights from families, educators, and leaders about effective family engagement.
• Explore practical tools and resources to support reflection, continuous improvement, and stronger family partnerships.
• Identify actionable strategies to strengthen belonging and family engagement in their own programs and communities.

Speakers

December Lynch

Early Learning Services Supervisor, Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)

Mi Yang

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) Specialist, Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)

Mi Yang is an Early Childhood Family Education Program Specialist with the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). She is passionate about supporting educators and leaders through practical tools, professional learning, and continuous improvement efforts that... Read More →

Friday October 23, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CDT
Suite 108 - Lower Level 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904, USA

Early Childhood

11:15am CDT

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2:45pm CDT

11:15am CDT

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1:15pm CDT

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