Dr. Katharine Kersey

Thursday Opening Session "Building Healthy Relations with Children and Their Families"
8:30 - 11:30 am

Dr. Kersey is University Professor of Early Childhood Education and founder and Director Emeritus of the Child Development/Child Study Centers at Old Dominion University. She served as Chairperson of the Department of Early Childhood, Speech Pathology and Special Education for twenty-two years. She has authored three books - The Art of Sensitive Parenting, Helping Your Child Handle Stress, and Don’t Take It Out On Your Kids, and co-authored a fourth book, The First Year Teacher, published by the National Education Association.

To see Dr. Kersey in action, click here.

Sheila Arnold

Thursday Literacy Luncheon "Love My Brain"
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
($20 additional fee and pre-registration required)

Sheila Arnold currently resides in Hampton, VA. She is the CEO and Lead Performer of History’s Alive! and her major focus is performing, managing and marketing this flourishing business. Through History’s Alive! Sheila has given over 600 presentations in 26 states for schools, churches, professional organizations and museums. In addition, she contracts with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to present Historic Character Interpretation and teaches teachers at their Summer Teachers Institute.

To see Ms. Arnold in action, click here.

Dr. Jean Feldman

Thursday Opening Session "Recipe for Success"
7:30 - 8 :30 pm

Dr. Jean Feldman’s noteworthy educational career has spanned more than 40 years. She has served as a classroom teacher, instructor of adults, author, and consultant. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the National Kindergarten Alliance, and the International Reading Association. Feldman inspires teachers across the country with her engaging songs and creative activities that help make teaching and learning FUN!

To see Dr. Jean in action, click here.

Dr. Craig Ramey

Friday General Session "High Quality Early Childhood Education Produces Short and Long Term Benefits for Children, Parents, and Society"
2:00 - 4:30 pm

Dr. Ramey is the Professor and Distinguished VTC Research Scholar in the VTCRI and Research Professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech. His program of research centers on the role of experience – across the human lifespan - in the development of competence, as closely linked to brain structure and function.
Dr. Ramey pursues his research interests in collaboration with scientists, scholars, and practitioners who themselves are challenging old paradigms and forging a new frontier in human developmental science.

To see Dr. Ramey in action, click here.

Lillian Hubler

Saturday Featured Session "Ready, Set, Read"
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Lillian Hubler is a dynamic speaker and presenter who has made Time to Sign the nation's foremost sign language training for early childhood educators - with 20,000 workshop attendees so far! Lillian is a talented linguist whose native language is Spanish. She is also fluent in English, French, Italian, German, and American Sign Language (ASL). She leads a wonderfully talented team of service providers who come from varied backgrounds such as: early childhood educators, sign language interpreters, deaf educators, speech and language pathologists, and elementary educators.

To see Ms. Hubler in action, click here.

Tour 2: 10:00 AM
Downtown Hampton Child Development Center located at Mary Peake Center. DHCDC is a non-profit early childhood program, featuring a sliding scale tuition rate based on income and need. It provides services for four year old children and partners with VPI for blended services. NAEYC Accredited.

Entertainment by Children
Throughout the conference, children's groups will be performing for your entertainment.

Thursday, 11:30 am - 12:00 pm at the Literacy Luncheon (additional fee to attend)
Ella Gundrum and Shelby Snowden, 6 year old and 16 year old violinists

Thursday, 12:00 - 12:30 pm, outside Exhibit Hall
Astrid Stanley, 11 year old Harpist

Thursday, 6:45 - 7:15 pm, at the Opening Session
Carver Elementary School Violins, Chorus, Bucket Band

Friday, 1:30 - 2:00 pm, at the General Session
Bethel Manor Elementary School Chorus

Friday, 6:45 - 7:15 pm, at the Buffet Banquet (additional fee to attend)
Davis Middle School HCS Steel Drum Ensemble

Saturday, 11:30 am - 12:15 pm, on the Concourse
North Hampton Dance Studio - Chinese School Dancers

Join us after the Literacy Luncheon for an autograph party with Sheila Arnold and 13 other children's book authors!

Hearty Party!
Thursday 8:45 - 10:00 pm

It’s ZUMBA time! Attend an introductory class! Our instructor will show us a fun way to exercise and get in shape! Cash bar and refreshments will be available.

This is a real “hearty” party

Music SMORGASBORD!
Thursday 2:30 - 4:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

In the mood for music? The Music Smorgasbord offers workshops throughout the day. Check the program guide for specifics.

Greg and Steve "Stirring the Soul"
Friday 8:30 - 10:00 pm (immediately following the Buffet)

With music, the brain becomes alert and motivated to learn! Music accompanies reading and mathematics. It teaches concepts and builds friendships! Music makes children grow and learn with love and values!

Winners of 9 “Parents Choice Awards”!

VAECE Annual Membership Meeting
CDA/Accreditation/VSQI Recognition, Door Prizes, and Breakfast
Saturday 8:00 - 9:15 am

Everyone is invited as we recognize the achievements of 2011 CDA recipients and those programs that have achieved NAEYC Accreditation and VSQI ratings.

All attendees will be entered to win door prizes and receive a complimentary breakfast!