Welcome to the 2026 Greater Houston Director’s Symposium!
We are excited to offer this important professional development event to early childhood administrators and directors in our region! We understand that most professional development conferences are tailored for classroom teachers with limited sessions for administrative personnel, which is why we developed a day specifically for you!
Join fellow directors and administrators in sessions that pack a punch – and are geared toward helping you be the best that you can be in your role! We hope to see you on January 24th as we help strengthen Houston’s early childhood programs by supporting those that oversee the day-to-day operations of them!
When: Saturday, January 24, 2026
Time: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Where: United Way of Greater Houston, 50 Waugh Drive, Houston, TX 77007
Cost: $79 (Lunch Included)
Clock Hours Awarded: 7
*Space is limited for this event, so we encourage you to register as soon as possible if you are interested in attending
*Please note these sessions are subject to change
Symposium Sessions
KEYNOTE OFFERING – 8:30 am – 9:45 am
Seeing the Child: How the Lens Wear Wear Shapes Learning in Our Practice and Programs
PRESENTER: Joyce Trigger, M.Ed.
“There are hundreds of different images of the child. Each one of you has inside yourself an image of the child that directs you as you begin to relate to a child.
This theory within you pushes you to behave in certain ways; it orients you as you talk to the child, listen to the child, observe the child. It is very difficult for you to act contrary to this internal image.” — Loris Malaguzzi
Session Description
The intention of this study is to help us begin to see and understand the impact of the view of the children in society and our work. We will begin to identify different views of the child in our classrooms, community, and culture.
· Your View of the Child determines every aspect of your teaching practice.
· The concept of the image of the child can be imagined as a pair of glasses that adults and teachers unconsciously wear and through which they come to see children in a particular way.
· It matters which glasses teachers look through because the way they see and understand children informs the curricular and pedagogical choices they make as teachers. How teachers understand children’s abilities and competencies guides them as they design learning environments and enact curriculum.
Views of the child which will be discussed: Adorable Child, Blank Slate, Wild Child, Innocent Child and Biological Child.
SESSION I – 10:00 am – 11:15 am
Leading with Purpose: Building a Culture of Excellence in Early Childhood Programs
PRESENTER: Natoya Carroll
Session Description
Strong leadership is the heartbeat of every successful early learning program. This interactive session empowers directors to define their leadership vision, build systems that promote accountability, and inspire teams through purpose-driven action.
SESSION II – 11:30 am – 12:30 pm (Lunch served during this time)
The Think Tank: A Panel Discussion with Child Care Directors Around Issues that Matter
PRESENTERS: Various
Session Description
Join some of Houston’s most well-seasoned administrators in a panel discussion around the hottest and most difficult topics early childhood directors and administrators deal with in their programs. Hear opinions and solutions from these experts – and take them back to your practice for practical use!
SESSION III – 12:45 pm – 2:00 pm
Nurturing the Caregiver: A Guide to Self-Care for Practitioners and Administrators
PRESENTERS: Jessica Abraham
Session Description
This comprehensive training program is designed to equip practitioners and administrators in ECE with the necessary skills and knowledge to prioritize and practice self-care effectively. With a focus on holistic well-being, this training addresses the physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental aspects of self-care to enhance resilience, prevent burnout, and foster sustainable professional performance.
SESSION IV – 2:15 pm – 3:30 pm
Behaviors, Disabilities and Supporting Full-Potential Development
PRESENTER: Aubri Simpson
Session Description
Aubri specializes in supporting families that have diagnosis of developmental delays or academic challenges by helping them reach their full potential through tailored strategies. This session will address and discuss ways to eliminate barriers in early childhood education programs and equip staff members with resources for continuing education on supporting students and their families that have disabilities.