Professional Development

DCAEYC Teacher Professional Development Series

Teacher Professional Development Series.png

Four In-Person Learning Opportunities for DCAEYC Members

DCAEYC invites our members to join the DCAEYC Teacher Professional Development Series, a four-part, in-person learning opportunity created for early childhood education professionals in Washington, DC.

Beginning in October, the series will bring members together to explore four areas closely connected to everyday classroom practice: the learning environment, our image of the child, observation and reflection, and intelligent materials.

Facilitated by lifelong educator Judi Sperber, each workshop combines reflection with practical approaches that participants can bring back to their own classrooms and learning environments.

Members may participate in one, several, or all four workshops. Registration is required separately for each session, and space is limited to 12 participants per session.

Each session will take place from 1:00 to 2:30 PM in person at DCAEYC. Light refreshments will be provided, and participants will receive a training certificate with 1.5 clock hours for each session completed.

Exclusively for current DCAEYC members.

Quick Registration Links

Choose Your Sessions, Click on the Image, and Reserve Your Spot

Meet the Facilitator: Judi Sperber

Judi Sperber is a lifelong educator with experience both designing and working in a variety of classroom environments. She was first introduced to the Reggio Emilia philosophy over 30 years ago while working at Sheridan School, and it continues to guide her work today.

In 2025, she earned her Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education Pedagogy from CU Denver in partnership with Boulder Journey School. Her leadership background includes co-founding a Reggio-inspired playgroup and collaboratively developing curriculum as Pedagogista for Temple Sinai Nursery School.

Through her own Creative Thinkers, a Reggio-inspired educational program, she serves children, educators, seniors, and families through her art classes and educational workshops.

Registration Information

The DCAEYC Teacher Professional Development Series is exclusively for current DCAEYC members.

You may register for one, several, or all four workshops based on your interests and availability. Because each workshop is a separate professional development session, you must complete an individual registration for each session you plan to attend.

Only 12 spots are available for each session, and registration is available on a first-come basis.

Each completed session includes:

1.5 clock hours
Training certificate
In-person professional learning
Light refreshments

Choose your sessions and reserve your spots today.

Session 1: Environment as Your Third Teacher. Really!

October 22, 2026

1:00 to 2:30 PM
In Person at DCAEYC
1.5 Clock Hours | 12 Participants Maximum

At a time when children need more support than ever, and the early childhood education field continues to face staffing challenges, how can educators use the environment as a third teacher?

This workshop explores practical ways to organize classroom spaces, materials, schedules, and daily routines to better support children and educators.

After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

Use their observations and knowledge of the children in their classrooms to organize spaces and materials that better support daily routines and promote a more regulated learning environment for everyone.
Consider how materials are selected and organized to encourage children's independence, agency, and active participation in their own learning.
Examine classroom schedules, transitions, and routines to identify practical adjustments that support a smoother and more effective daily experience.

This session took place on October 22, 2026.

Registration Closed

Session 2: Our Image of the Child

November 5, 2026

6:00 to 7:30 PM
In Person at DCAEYC
1.5 Clock Hours | 12 Spots Available

As educators, how we see children influences everything we do, from the expectations and boundaries we establish to the materials we offer and the opportunities we create for learning.

This workshop invites participants to consider children as capable individuals with their own rights, perspectives, and abilities. It explores how educators can encourage children's voices, support meaningful choices, and recognize their active role in learning and problem-solving.

This workshop will help participants:

Reflect on their image of the child and consider how their beliefs influence classroom practices, expectations, and interactions.
Explore ways to make every child visible and valued within the learning environment, recognizing individual differences while fostering respect, participation, and a sense of community.

This session took place on November 5, 2026.

Registration Closed

Session 3: Observation and Reflection as a Tool

POSTPONED - NEW DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED

In Person at DCAEYC
1.5 Clock Hours | 12 Spots Available

Teachers observe children throughout the day, but how can those observations become meaningful tools for planning, reflection, and classroom improvement?

This workshop explores ways to use observations to better understand children's interests, interactions, and experiences with classroom spaces and materials. Participants will consider how intentional reflection can inform teaching decisions, strengthen engagement, and help create more responsive learning environments.

After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

Make observations more intentional by identifying specific questions, purposes, and areas of focus.
Explore different methods for documenting and organizing observations so they can be used effectively for planning, assessment, and family conferences.
Understand how regular reflection can strengthen classroom practices and identify opportunities to incorporate reflection into existing planning routines.

Registration is required for this session. Space is limited to 12 DCAEYC members.

NEW LINK SOON

Session 4: Intelligent Materials

January 14, 2027

1:00 to 2:30 PM
In Person at DCAEYC
1.5 Clock Hours | 12 Spots Available

What makes a material intelligent, and how can everyday objects become meaningful resources for children's learning?

This hands-on workshop explores how educators can use accessible materials, including natural elements and recycled objects, to encourage curiosity, creativity, and independent exploration.

Participants will consider how thoughtfully arranged materials and learning invitations can support children's agency, offer meaningful choices, and create new possibilities for discovery.

Through practical exploration and collaborative discussion, educators will have opportunities to experiment with materials and exchange ideas they can bring back to their own classrooms.