Behind the Mask
Virtual Symposium Series
for Early Childhood Educators
August 25-27, 2020
3:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Behind the Mask
A Virtual Symposium Series for Early Educators
August 25th - August 27th
3:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Supporting Emotional Development and Mental Health
in Early Education
Given the stresses of the 2020 year, children are re-entering learning environments with new mental health and emotional needs. Whether in-person, hybrid, or all virtual, children and families are relying on us to create spaces of stability and comfort.
Join us for an inspirational and interactive symposium to explore:
Join us for an amazing week of inspiration, collaboration and new ideas!
Certificates of attendance with CEUs will be provided at the conclusion of the event.
Featured Conversation
A fireside chat about the state of early childhood education
Arne Duncan
Former U.S. Secretary of Education
Arne Duncan is currently a managing partner at Emerson Collective and former U.S. Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama from 2009 - 2016. Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Duncan served as chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools. From 2001 to 2008, Duncan won praise for uniting the city’s stakeholders behind an education agenda that included opening 100 new schools; expanding after-school, summer learning, early childhood, and college access programs; dramatically boosting the caliber of teachers; and building public-private partnerships around a variety of education initiatives.
Dr. Benjamin Edmondson
Superintendent, Romulus Community Schools
Dr. Edmondson has been in the field of education since 1992, beginning his career as an elementary teacher in Baltimore City Schools. In his nearly 30 years of professional experiences, he was awarded Outstanding Dissertation for his research on the academic achievement gap between kindergarten black and white students; he has served as an elementary school principal, middle school principal, and high school principal. Now in his second stint as a school superintendent, he feels an obligation and passion to impact early childhood in a manner that eluded him in previous leadership experiences. His current role as Superintendent of Romulus Community Schools in Michigan brings daily challenges that require collaboration, empathy, and vision, but the greatest reward is impacting the lives and well-being of those he leads and serves.
Tuesday, August 25th
3:00pm to 6:00pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Sonia Manzano with Anna Marrs
3:00pm - 3:30pm
For over 40 years, Sonia Manzano inspired, educated, and delighted children and families as "Maria" on Sesame Street. Named among the “25 Greatest Latino Role Models Ever” by Latina Magazine, Manzano broke ground as one of the first Hispanic characters on national television. Throughout her career, she has continued to contribute to enriching diversity on television, on the stage, and in the educational realm. A first generation American of Latin descent, Manzano’s tale is one of perseverance and courage as she overcame countless obstacles to become one of the most influential Latinas in television.
Prioritizing Educator Well-Being and Mental Health
Dr. Ilana Nankin, Ph.D.
3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Before considering how to best support the social emotional needs of our students, it is critical for us, as educators, to prioritize and care for our own mental, physical, and social-emotional well-being. Dr. Ilana Nankin is an award-winning educator, wellness expert, and Founder & CEO of Breathe For Change, an organization on a mission to enhance the health and well-being of educators, students, and entire communities. Her dissertation research revealed the critical connection between educator well-being and student learning. In this interactive session, Ilana will empower and equip educators with mind-body wellness practices, social-emotional learning strategies, and mindfulness tips to use on a daily basis to ensure we are best able to support our students, colleagues, and loved ones.
Elevating Classroom Conversations: The Importance of Talking about Emotions
Dr. Stephanie Curenton
4:45pm - 5:30pm
Helping children label and express their feelings appropriately is a critical component of social-emotional development. In this session, Dr. Stephanie Curenton, Associate Professor at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, will teach conversation strategies that you can use to promote emotional competence in young children.
After Hours: Small Group Discussion
5:30pm - 6:00pm
Take your learning to the next level by reflecting on the day, engaging in discussion with peers, and connecting with a small group of fellow educators. Participation is optional and will not count towards CEUs.
Wednesday, August 26th
3:00pm to 6:00pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Managing Big Feelings and Fostering Resilience
Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Ph.D.
3:00pm - 3:45pm
Rosemarie T. Truglio is the Senior Vice President of Curriculum and Content at Sesame Workshop. Dr. Truglio is responsible for the development of the interdisciplinary curriculum on which Sesame Street is based and oversees content development across platforms (e.g., television, publishing, toys, home video, and theme park activities). She also oversees the curriculum development for all new show production, including Esme & Roy, airing on HBO. Dr. Truglio has written numerous articles in child and developmental psychology journals and presented her work at national and international conferences.
COVID-19 and Trauma: Strategies for Trauma-Informed Care
Dr. Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D.
4:00pm - 5:00pm
In this session, Dr. Perry, Principal of The Neurosequential Model Network, LLC and Senior Fellow of The ChildTrauma Academy, will discuss how patterns of stress can determine risk or resilience for young children. He will highlight the importance of structure, predicability, and moderation of daily stress and address how early childhood professionals can prepare to navigate COVID-specific issues in the coming months. Over the last ten years, Dr. Perry's clinical research has been focused on integrating emerging principles of developmental neuroscience into clinical practice which has resulted in the development of innovative clinical practices and programs working with maltreated and traumatized children.
After Hours: Small Group Discussion
5:00pm - 5:30pm
Take your learning to the next level by reflecting on the day, engaging in discussion with peers, and connecting with a small group of fellow educators. Participation is optional and will not count towards CEUs.
Thursday, August 27th
3:00pm to 6:00pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Behavior IS Communication: Understanding the Underlying Functions of Behavior
Johanna Mabry, M.Ed., LMSW, ATR
3:00pm - 4:15pm
In this session, you will have the opportunity to learn how to track, analyze and address behavior concerns in an early childhood setting. Johanna Mabry, licensed clinical social worker, art therapist, and Early Childhood trainer at Washtenaw ISD, will empower early childhood providers to better understand how young children communicate their needs through behavior. This session will provide strategies for how to systematically teach replacement skills to reduce or eliminate the challenging behavior. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of behavior management in early childhood through a trauma-informed approach, learning how to provide a classroom community that promotes resilience.
Featured Conversation
Arne Duncan with Dr. Benjamin Edmondson
4:30pm - 5:30pm
Arne Duncan is currently a managing partner at Emerson Collective and former U.S. Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama from 2009 - 2016. Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Duncan served as chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools. From 2001 to 2008, Duncan won praise for uniting the city’s stakeholders behind an education agenda that included opening 100 new schools; expanding after-school, summer learning, early childhood, and college access programs; dramatically boosting the caliber of teachers; and building public-private partnerships around a variety of education initiatives.
After Hours: Small Group Discussion
5:30pm - 6:00pm
Take your learning to the next level by reflecting on the day, engaging in discussion with peers, and connecting with a small group of fellow educators. Participation is optional and will not count towards CEUs.
What Did Participants Say About Our Last Event?
"It was a great day. I left completely re-energized. It was one of those days that I remembered why I chose a career in Early Childhood. Thank you."
"The event was very thoughtfully crafted and facilitated... Conversations were thought-provoking and it felt so good to spend time listening and thinking about how to move forward in a new way. Each individual, panel member or moderator, exuded passion and professionalism."
"This event was extremely well done. It was both inspirational and practical. It was exactly what I needed. Thank you for the encouragement to rethink, dream, and speak up to ensure that our children and teachers get the best!"
"It was an incredibly powerful event that broadened my own perspective - and after 38 years of continuous experience in the early childhood world, that is saying something."
Additional Information
Continuing Education Units
Certificates of attendance for credit hours will be provided at the conclusion of the event. Participants who join for all three days will receive seven credit hours (.7 CEUs). Participants who join for a single day will receive credit hours in accordance with that day's programming.
Recorded Access
All participants will have access to recordings from the event for future reference and review.*
Special Considerations
We intend for this event to be available and accessible for every early childhood professional. If you need financial assistance or special accommodations for your staff, please reach out!
More Questions?
We're here to help!
* Sessions and materials will be available online for registrants at the conclusion of the event. Presentations by some speakers may or may not be available in accordance with their unique policies.
© Kaymbu Inc. All Rights Reserved.