2025 Early Educators Leadership Conference (EELC) Speaker Proposal Submission Form


Instructions

Directions: Please complete ALL sections. Incomplete or incorrect submissions will not be considered. There should be only one workshop or panel session described per submission. Please submit all proposals by Monday, March 31, 2025.



Compensation

While we do not offer compensation for concurrent session speakers, we are pleased to extend a $100 discount to selected speakers who wish to register for the full conference.

 

 

PRESENTER INFORMATION

 
 
 
 
 
Phone
 
Phone
 
 
 
 
 

A concise 200-word summary highlighting relevant experience and expertise.

 
 

 

SESSION DETAILS

 

A concise and descriptive title that captures the essence of your session.

 

A structured 250-300-word description of your proposed session, incorporating the following components:


  • Introduction: Provide a brief overview of the background and context of your topic, highlighting the significance of the issue you are addressing within the early education landscape.


  • Objectives: Clearly outline the primary objectives of your session. What key insights or knowledge do you aim for attendees to gain from your presentation?


  • Methods: Describe the methodology or approach you will use to convey your message, which may include research, case studies, interactive activities, or innovative practices.


  • Results: Summarize the expected or actual findings or outcomes of your work. If applicable, include data or evidence to support your results that will resonate with the audience.


  • Conclusion: Describe the significance of your findings or session content, explaining why they are important and how they contribute to the field of early childhood education or align with the conference theme.


  • Keywords: Include a few relevant keywords that capture the main themes of your proposal for indexing purposes.


 
 

Learning Pathways (LP)


LP I: Shaping Future Policies through Evidence and Advocacy

We are looking for speakers who can provide insights into the development of evidence-based policies for early childhood education. Presentations should focus on the role of specialized technical assistance in supporting legislative caucuses and committees. Topics may include innovative policy roadmaps, the importance of data analytics, and strategies for amplifying the voices of stakeholders within the early childhood landscape. Expect to share case studies or experiences that illustrate successful advocacy for early education initiatives.


  • What data analytics methods have you found most effective in supporting the development of evidence-based policies for early childhood education, and how can these inform your advocacy efforts?


  • What examples demonstrate how innovative learning technologies or AI-driven tools have successfully led to policy outcomes or advocacy initiatives within the early childhood sector?


  • What strategies do you recommend for effectively amplifying the voices of key stakeholders—such as educators, families, and community members—in the policy development process to ensure their needs are reflected in legislative decisions?



LP II: Empowering Early Educators through Credentialing

We are looking for proposals that highlight the significance of the Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ and the role of innovative learning technologies in enhancing access to professional development for early educators. Proposals should cover the integration of AI-driven tools and personalized learning strategies, as well as initiatives that engage diverse stakeholders to overcome barriers to access. We are particularly interested in success stories that showcase effective workforce innovations.


  • What specific barriers to accessing the CDA have you encountered, and how do your proposed initiatives seek to address these challenges?


  • What success stories or best practices exemplify the integration of inclusive practices that enhanced professional development and outcomes for early educators, programs, or practices?


  • What strategies will you use to engage diverse stakeholders—such as educators, program directors, and community organizations—in promoting access to the CDA credential?


LP III: Collaborative Leadership for ECE Advancement

We are looking for speakers to showcase models for fostering collaboration among various stakeholders in early childhood education. Presentations should explore effective communication strategies, innovative collaboration tools, and proven methods to align early learning providers, community leaders, and investors. Participants should leave with actionable insights into building a cohesive and responsive early education system that reflects the needs of children and families.


  • What successful models of collaboration have you implemented or observed that effectively align the efforts of early learning providers, community leaders, and investors?


  • How do you plan to demonstrate the impact of effective communication strategies in fostering a collaborative early childhood education environment?


  • What innovative collaboration tools do you recommend for building partnerships among stakeholders, and how can these tools be integrated into existing systems to enhance responsiveness to children's and families' needs?


LP IV: Cultivating Inclusive Excellence in Early Childhood

We invite proposals from speakers to explore the essential role of diversity in early education through the lens of inclusive leadership practices. Proposals should emphasize succession planning and leading system development, highlighting how culturally relevant practices and social-emotional learning contribute to effective leadership. We seek innovative models that promote collaboration among diverse stakeholders—early learning providers, community leaders, and investors. Presentations should provide actionable strategies for aligning diverse groups and fostering inclusive environments. Attendees will gain valuable insights into creating a cohesive early education system that addresses the varied needs of all children and families.


  • What specific culturally relevant practices do you advocate for fostering inclusive early childhood frameworks, and how do these strategies effectively address the diverse needs of various demographic groups?


  • How do you envision effective communication strategies facilitating collaboration among stakeholders to promote inclusive practices within early childhood education systems?


  • What success stories or best practices exemplify the integration of inclusive practices with collaboration methods, demonstrating their impact on the educational experiences of children and families?
 
 

Presentation Formats


Concurrent Session (90 minutes)

These sessions involve interactive presentations that allow speakers to engage with attendees through discussions, Q&A, and hands-on activities. Presenters are encouraged to utilize effective teaching methods and adult learning principles to facilitate participant involvement, making the content dynamic and relevant. The goal is to create a learning environment where attendees can actively share their experiences and insights.


Micro Session (TED Talk Style)

These are short, impactful presentations lasting approximately 10-15 minutes, designed to inspire and motivate attendees. Speakers should focus on delivering concise, high-energy talks that highlight innovative ideas, best practices, or compelling stories in early childhood education. The emphasis is on clarity and engagement, leaving attendees with strong takeaways and thoughts to ponder.


Poster Session

This format features visual presentations displayed on posters, allowing for informal discussions between presenters and attendees throughout the conference. Presenters can showcase research findings, innovative practices, or relevant projects in a concise visual format. Engagement is key, as attendees can ask questions and interact directly with the presenter, facilitating a more personalized learning experience.

 

Concurrent sessions presenters are encouraged to create a micro presentation to accompany their more comprehensive session.


 

Target Audience Level


  • Beginner: Designed for those new to the topic or with limited experience.


  • Intermediate: Suitable for attendees who have some background knowledge and experience in early childhood education.


  • Expert: Targeted towards seasoned professionals looking for advanced strategies, innovative practices, or in-depth discussions.
 
 

Co-presenter(s) / Panelists

 
 

 

Headshot (s)

 

For best resolution, please provide an image with a minimum resolution of 150dpi or a minimum of 300 x 300 pixels).

Drop your files here
 

Evaluation Criteria


Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:


  • Relevance to early childhood education and alignment with conference themes.
  • Innovation and engagement strategies.
  • Clarity and specificity of the proposed session content.
  • Experience and qualifications of the speaker(s).
  • Appropriateness of the target audience level in relation to the session content.
 

 

All proposals should be clearly written, free of jargon, and accessible to a diverse audience within the early childhood education community. The deadline for proposal submissions is Monday, March 31, 2025.


For questions or clarifications, please contact:

Alecia Carter, Manager Community Engagement and Impact at cdaevents@cdacouncil.org


We look forward to receiving your proposals and to an inspiring and impactful conference!