2025 SCECA Conference: Full Schedule

We’re excited to see that you’re planning to attend the 2025 SCECA Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC on February 6-8, 2025 at the Sheraton Hotel and Myrtle Beach Convention Center. We look forward to seeing you there!

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7:00am EST

NUTRITION: Leading Little Learners to be WELL: Learning About Healthy Food & Leading by Example

Saturday February 8, 2025 7:00am - 8:00am EST

Ballroom E

Attendees will:
-Identify healthy, whole foods, as well as unhealthy, ultra-processed foods using the Traffic Light Eating Concept.
-Identify where to find healthy, local, and seasonal foods on a budget
-Use their senses to grow, harvest, taste, and learn about healthy food
-Learn about mindful eating, including creative food art skills
-Use the skills they have learned with modifications to lead little learners to be well in the classroom.

Speakers

Sara Stewart

Sara serves as the Well-Being Coach/Program Coordinator for the Grand Strand area with the Be Well Care Well Project.This program is under the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care. Her goal is to support and empower teachers on their... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 7:00am - 8:00am EST
Ballroom E 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Nutrition

Audience All

7:00am EST

“I’m Just the Assistant!”

Saturday February 8, 2025 7:00am - 8:00am EST

Ballroom BC

During this session, learners will learn the importance of being an assistant teacher and the duties that help foster student development and workplace morale.

Speakers

Ella Sumter

PK Teacher, Richland County School District One

Greetings!My name is Ella M. Sumter. I'm a 16-year Early Childhood Educator with Richland County School District One. I currently teach PK-3 as well as own a company entitled "Pretty Poodle Educational Services," where I provide tutoring and CERDEP/DSS training across the great State... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 7:00am - 8:00am EST
Ballroom BC 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Professional Development

Audience All

8:20am EST

Beyond Behavior

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:20am - 9:20am EST

Rm. 104-105

Take a deeper look into how we can help our children before expulsion occurs. South Carolina has the highest preschool suspension and expulsion rate in the United States - we need to make a change. I want to help educators think about what student behavior may be telling them instead of reacting to it. Gain an understanding of how trauma and stress can impact learning, behavior, and the development of the brain. The capacity to love cannot be built in isolation. The key characteristic in a relationship that buffers stress is that it is lasting - this cannot and should not be built in a day. Learn how to give children the time and skills they need to keep them in a safe, structured, and loving environment before sending them off to the next place that may continue to break them or may even send them down the preschool to prison pipeline.

Speakers

Chelsea Adamson

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:20am - 9:20am EST
Rm. 104-105 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Child Guidance

Audience All

8:20am EST

Problem-solving with Positive Intent

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:20am - 9:20am EST

Rm. 202-204

This session will focus on how the power of love and choosing to see the best in our students and co-workers can help us effectively move from problems to solutions. Using the book, Shubert Sees the Best, we will work through understanding behavior through a perspective of positive intent, utilize A.C.T. process ( acknowledge desires, clarify skills to use, take time to practice) in problem-solving, look at structures such as Celebration Center and Wishing Well to support empathy. Additionally, we will learn to make perspective changing "glasses" and have examples from the classroom of integrating positive intent with academic opportunities.

Speakers

Katie Spearman

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:20am - 9:20am EST
Rm. 202-204

Child Guidance

Audience All

8:20am EST

Pyramid Model: Teaching Expectations and Rules

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:20am - 9:20am EST

Ballroom D

Participants will be able to:
1. Explain the difference between behavior expectations and rules.
2. Develop classroom rules and describe effective ways to teach rules to children.
3. List three ways to positively acknowledge children’s behavior.

Speakers

Phines Black

Inclusion Specialist, South Carolina Inclusion Collaborative

Phines J. Black is a native of Florence, South Carolina. She joined the SC Inclusion Collaborative in January 2018 as an Inclusion Specialist. Prior to joining the Inclusion Collaborative, she worked as a 4K Preschool Lead Teacher for three years with South Carolina First Steps. In... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:20am - 9:20am EST
Ballroom D 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Child Guidance

Audience All

8:20am EST

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL: Intentionally Leading Little Learners

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:20am - 9:20am EST

Ballroom E

This workshop will explore strategies for intentionally cultivating leadership skills in young children, starting as early as preschool. Participants will learn how to create environments that foster decision-making, problem-solving, and social responsibility among young learners. Using developmentally appropriate practices, we will discuss how to encourage autonomy, collaboration, and resilience in the classroom. The session will also address how to embed leadership opportunities into everyday learning activities, ensuring all children feel empowered. Attendees will leave with practical tools to nurture emerging leaders while respecting individual development and diversity.

Speakers

Dr. Anthony Broughton aka Mister B

Inspirational Voyages with MISTER B, LLC

Dr. Anthony “MiSTER B” Broughton is an energetic, inpsirational, teacher/learner at heart who aspires to foster learning in culturally relevant and meaningful ways!*MiSTER B is also a professor who enjoys sharing the craft of early childhood with others! He currently teachers... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:20am - 9:20am EST
Ballroom E 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Child Guidance

Audience All

8:20am EST

Full STEAM Ahead Into the Bible

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:20am - 9:20am EST

Rm 106-107

Having difficulty finding ways to teach Biblical concepts in the STEAM areas of the curriculum? This session will not only provide you with ideas for hands-on, active learning in the area of STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, art and math). We will help you make the connections in a developmentally appropriate way while also giving guidance to what early learning standards these activities connect to. You will be introduced to curriculum supports, resources and "where to find" inexpensive materials.

Speakers

Nicole Beattie

Heidi Friedel

Consultant, Consultant

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:20am - 9:20am EST
Rm 106-107 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Curriculum

Audience All, Faith Based

8:20am EST

Is Bias Impacting Your Progress?

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:20am - 9:20am EST

Rm. 206-208

Have you considered how bias impacts relationships? Are you curious and willing to explore your bias? If so, this session is for you. In a dynamic world where diversity thrives, understanding bias is not just an intellectual exercise; it’s a crucial step towards fostering inclusivity and equity. This is an interactive presentation designed to empower participants to uncover, reflect on, and address bias in their practices.

Speakers

Wauchilue Adams

CEO, Adams Educational and Leadership Consulting

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:20am - 9:20am EST
Rm. 206-208 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Professional Development

Audience All

8:20am EST

Pueblos Embodying Cultural Boarders

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:20am - 10:20am EST

Rm. 205

This program will help educators to:
Increase the awareness of authentic Latino poetry, folklore, music and storytelling among the Latin X community as whole, connecting diverse communities culturally through the performing arts.
Increases the availability of cultural experiences for Hispanic families by sharing authentic music and storytelling from Latinamerica.
Teachers who work with Latino parents will also gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for their own heritage and what it means to their children, in addition to increasing their exposure to and appreciation of the performing arts at an early age.

Speakers

Irania Macias

Saturday February 8, 2025 8:20am - 10:20am EST
Rm. 205 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Professional Development

Audience All

9:20am EST

Empowering Educators: Teacher Motivation’s Impact

Saturday February 8, 2025 9:20am - 10:40am EST

Rm. 206-208

Learn how teacher motivation not only affects teachers’ well-being and work relationships but also the educational outcomes of their students. Attendees will identify and understand their motivation style and learn how to nurture low motivation with actionable, research-based tools and insights. This interactive session will explore what drives teacher motivation, including the impact of workplace culture. Attendees can also expect to leave with practical strategies for cultivating a motivating teaching environment that enhances teacher well-being and effectiveness. Discover how a motivated teacher can foster teacher-child relationships, enhance their personal well-being, and improve the dynamics of work relationships.

Speakers

Tiffany Gibby

State-approved trainer, Education PhD Candidate

Mrs. Gibby is a Ga state-approved trainer and has presented at state and regional conferences which have received excellent feedback. She is currently a doctoral candidate in education and has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in early childhood education. As a previous early childhood... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 9:20am - 10:40am EST
Rm. 206-208 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Professional Development

Audience All

9:40am EST

Consequences = Opportunities

Saturday February 8, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am EST

Rm. 202-204

What are the realities of delivering effective consequences and changing behaviors? Mistakes are opportunities to learn skills and every conflict is an opportunity to teach. Participants will learn the difference in the types of consequences along with the language to effectively deliver each type of consequences. The importance of the adult’s intention when delivering effective consequences will be discussed and practiced

Speakers

Jen Skrivanek

Saturday February 8, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am EST
Rm. 202-204

Child Guidance

Audience All

9:40am EST

Changes, Changes

Saturday February 8, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am EST

Rm. 203

The National Association for the Education of Young Children is going through many changes - membership changes, changes to accreditation for early learning programs and a new edition of the Code of Ethical Conduct position statement. Learn about these important changes to NAEYC and be reminded of the recent new edition of Developmentally Appropriate Practices.

Speakers

Dr. Sally McClellan

Executive Director, SCAEYC

Saturday February 8, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am EST
Rm. 203 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Professional Development

Audience All

9:40am EST

Strengthening Our Families

Saturday February 8, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am EST

Rm. 102-103

Strengthening Families presentation is designed to help families become creative in positive discipline practices, reduce tension and conflict, learn different parenting skills, strategies and improve children social skills, build relationships, and performance in school. Participants will understand emotional disability and how to help families become stronger together through a variety of tactics.
This session is intended to increase participants’ ability to develop strategies and effective communication between educators and parents for the benefit of the children.

Speakers

Dr. Stephanie Ganaway-Pasley

Chief Operations Officer, Pasley & Associates

Honorable Dr. Stephanie L.W. Ganaway-Pasley, PhD; Honorable Dr. Stephanie L.W. Ganaway-Pasley is the Chief Operations Officer of Pasley & Associates. She is currently a qualified Civil Mediator in North Carolina and South Carolina, Professor of Psychology. She has served on the... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 9:40am - 10:40am EST
Rm. 102-103 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Special Needs

Audience All

11:10am EST

Keynote: Educators as Every Day C.O.A.C.H.E.S.

Saturday February 8, 2025 11:10am - 12:30pm EST

Ballroom ABCDE

The more we can connect and become aware of our own strengths and abilities – the more we can truly enrich the lives of the families we are blessed to serve. Dr. Kimberly Johnson will share her experiences and encourage you to take the time to get to know your families and your co-workers. This session will present common sense ways to increase
leadership, creativity, and resiliency among our learners. Participants will leave this motivating and invigorating session ready to increase family interactions, positive behavior, self-efficacy, and teamwork. For some of our families YOU are their everyday COACHES!

Speakers

Dr. Kimberly Johnson

Simply Creative Works

Kimberly is a creative thinker and has a passion for teaching and helping others. She serves as a contracted course facilitator at Harvard University, has taught doctoral classes at Northeastern University, and currently teaches at Clemson University and Clinton College. She also... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 11:10am - 12:30pm EST
Ballroom ABCDE

Professional Development

Audience All

1:00pm EST

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL: Guide Us: Elevating Child Guidance

Saturday February 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Ballroom E

This workshop will focus on holistic child guidance techniques that help teachers guide children's behavior in a supportive and nurturing way. Participants will explore strategies that address the emotional, social, and cognitive aspects of child development to promote positive behavior. The session will cover proactive approaches to creating an inclusive classroom environment, using relationship-building and emotional regulation tools. Attendees will also learn how to foster self-discipline and problem-solving skills in young children, while respecting their individual needs. Practical techniques for promoting a sense of community and cooperation will be shared to support teachers in nurturing well-rounded, confident learners.

Speakers

Dr. Anthony Broughton aka Mister B

Inspirational Voyages with MISTER B, LLC

Saturday February 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Ballroom E 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Child Guidance

Audience All

1:00pm EST

Biblical Dramatic Play

Saturday February 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Rm. 205

In this session, participants will learn how to take the stories from the Bible and turn them into fun, engaging dramatic play. Participants will get ideas about how to both dramatize a story and how to add props and materials to their dramatic play area to extend the story in a developmentally appropriate way. We will provide connections to curriculum goals and early learning standards. Participants will have the opportunity to explore and engage with materials.

Speakers

Heidi Friedel

Consultant, Consultant

Nicole Beattie

Saturday February 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Rm. 205 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Curriculum

Audience All, Faith Based

1:00pm EST

Blood Borne Pathogens

Saturday February 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Ballroom D

Participants will learn how blood borne pathogens are spread, how to avoid exposure and what to do if exposed to infectious material.

Speakers

Dr. Crystal Campbell

Executive Director - Dorchester County, SC First Steps

Dr. Crystal Campbell is a retired educator from the State of South Carolina School System. She has held numerous teaching and supervisory positions within school districts all over the State, to include being a Teacher Specialist with the State Department of Education, Early Childhood... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Ballroom D 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Health & Safety

Audience All

1:00pm EST

Emergency Preparedness

Saturday February 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Ballroom BC

This emergency preparedness training will give you the skills to appropriately react to emergencies to protect yourself and your children better until first responders arrive. Life-threatening emergencies can happen fast, and you may be able to save a life by taking simple actions immediately.

Speakers

Jenn Adams

Business Support Quality Coach Lead, SC CCR&R

Saturday February 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Ballroom BC 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Health & Safety

Audience All

1:00pm EST

Empowering Teachers: Supporting All Learners

Saturday February 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Rm. 104-105

Differentiated Instruction: Learn quick and effective ways to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners in a busy classroom.
Effective Classroom Management: Learn easy-to-implement classroom management strategies tailored for special needs settings.
Building Communication: Explore methods for supporting non-verbal students’ communication, using tools like picture exchange systems.
Sensory-Friendly Spaces: Learn how to create sensory-friendly areas in your classroom to support students with sensory processing issues.
Parent Engagement: Explore techniques for involving parents in their child’s learning process, including sharing strategies for home use.

Speakers

Jamila Phillips

Saturday February 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Rm. 104-105 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Special Needs

Audience All

1:00pm EST

Signing with Children Birth-3 and Beyond

Saturday February 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Rm. 203

This is a fun, interactive introduction to sign language workshop. It covers 25+ single ASL signs and the manual alphabet. Participants will learn and practice the signs and learn tips for teaching signs to young children. It also covers how sign language can encourage speech and language development, enhance overall communication and reduce frustration for children who are not yet able to effectively communicate using speech. Attendees will leave ready to start using and teaching early signs.

Speakers

Jill Eversmann

Lecturer & Clinical Educator, Columbia College

Speakers

Brooke Bunger

Saturday February 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Rm. 203 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Special Needs

Audience All

2:15pm EST

Brain Smart Starts for Success

Saturday February 8, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EST

Rm. 202-204

Want a recipe for success in the classroom for your children and for you? Conscious Discipline Brain Smart Start will provide your children and you with activities to wire the brain for success. Participants will experience Brain Smart Start and be provided with specific examples of each piece of Brain Smart Start ready to implement in the classroom. The research-based brain science supporting Brain Smart Start will be shared with participants.

Speakers

Jen Skrivanek

Saturday February 8, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EST
Rm. 202-204

Growth and Development

Audience All

2:15pm EST

Exploring Inclusion in Early Childhood

Saturday February 8, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EST

Rm. 101

According to the Policy statement on inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood programs (DHHS/ED, 2015), inclusion in early childhood programs can set a trajectory for inclusion across the life course. Additional research suggests that high-quality inclusive early childhood programs within communities that work together to make the long-term commitment to support and make inclusive opportunities available for young children with disabilities will likely increase positive outcomes for all children and families (Cross, Traub, Hunter-Pishgahi, & Shelton, 2004; Diamond & Huang, 2005; Odom, Buysse, & Soukakou, 2011). Join us to learn more about early childhood inclusion, how you can promote inclusive practices for children birth through five, and local resources available to support you!

Speakers

Dana Bennett

Technical Assistance Coordinator, South Carolina Partnerships for Inclusion at the University of South Carolina

Melissa Griffin serves as the Technical Assistance Coordinator with SCPI. In this role, she facilitates the implementation of a tiered framework of supports for early childhood specialists and coordinates service delivery for districts working with SCPI to improve early childhood... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EST
Rm. 101 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Special Needs

Audience All

2:15pm EST

Promoting Inclusion Through Itinerate Service

Saturday February 8, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EST

Rm. 104-105

The special education itinerant service delivery model is a researched-based service delivery approach that supports high-quality inclusion of young children with disabilities in early childhood programs. The itinerant model supports the premise of IDEA that states “first options considered for preschool children with disabilities are those that would be considered for children without disabilities”. This model gives related service providers and special education teachers the opportunity to work collaboratively with general education classroom teachers and families through consultation and coaching to embed interventions and instruction into everyday activities. This session will highlight topics of massed versus distributed instruction, triadic model of consultation, planning matrix, direct instruction, collaborative meetings and continuum of placement.

Speakers

Tanya Hutchinson

SEIT Coach, South Carolina Partnerships for Inclusion

Saturday February 8, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EST
Rm. 104-105 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Special Needs

Audience All

3:30pm EST

Leading Learners To Authentic Connections

Saturday February 8, 2025 3:30pm - 4:00pm EST

Rm. 202-204

How do you connect with the children in your care? Learn how to build true, long lasting connections built upon current brain research and fun! Attendees will experience what it looks like, sounds like and feels like to be in a room of strangers and then build connections. Equipped with this experience we are then able to transfer it to the classroom so that the children in our care can feel it too! The science tells us that connections on the outside build true neural connections on the inside!

Speakers

Susan Kirby

Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor, Loving Guidance,LLC

Susan Kirby is a Conscious Discipline® Certified Instructor, one of two in the state of SouthCarolina.. Previously she was a Certified Parent Educator (PAT) working with at-risk childrenand their families. Susan’s first opportunity to use Conscious Discipline® was at the Center... Read More →

Saturday February 8, 2025 3:30pm - 4:00pm EST
Rm. 202-204

Growth and Development

Audience All

3:30pm EST

Resources to support Early Childhood Inclusion

Saturday February 8, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EST

Rm. 101

Participants will learn about early childhood inclusion and why child care is a critical partner in increasing inclusive opportunities for young children with disabilities/developmental delays. Participants will learn how early care providers can be involved and support access to the general education curriculum for young children with disabilities/developmental delays. Resources will be shared to support the successful inclusion of children with
disabilities in early childhood classrooms.

Speakers

Joy Wallace

Saturday February 8, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EST
Rm. 101 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC

Special Needs

Audience All