Four In-Person Learning Opportunities for DCAEYC Members

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Exclusively for current DCAEYC members.

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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.

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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.

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

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Registration Information

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

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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.

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

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Each completed session includes:

• 1.5 clock hours

• Training certificate

• In-person professional learning

• Light refreshments

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Choose your sessions and reserve your spots today.

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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 Spots Available

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At a time when children need more support than ever, and the industry is struggling to find teachers, how can you use the environment as your third teacher? Learn practical ways to set up your classroom, materials, schedule, and more to support your daily work.

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After taking this workshop, teachers will be able to:

• Use their observations and knowledge of the children in their classroom to help set up the classroom space and the materials to better support the flow of the day and create more regulation for all.

• Think about what materials are offered, how they are organized so that they speak to the children and give them agency in their own learning.

• Examine their schedules, look at the timing, transitions, and routines that make up their day. They will be challenged to think of big or small ways to make the day work to their advantage, creating a smoother flow.​

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

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Click here to register for Session 1

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Session 2: Our Image of the Child

November 5, 2026
1:00 to 2:30 PM
In Person at DCAEYC
1.5 Clock Hours | 12 Spots Available

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As educators, how we see the child informs all that we do. This includes the expectations and boundaries we hold in our space, the kinds of materials we offer, and, most importantly, how we view children as citizens with their own rights. Children should have a voice in solving problems, a choice in what they do, and a role in their own learning.

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This workshop will assist teachers in:

• Thinking about what their image of the child is and how that affects the way they are doing things in the classroom.

• Considering how they can make each child visible in their environment, taking into account the respect for each learner in the space and helping to create community.

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

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Click here to register for Session 2

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Session 3: Observation and Reflection as a Tool

December 3, 2026
1:00 to 2:30 PM
In Person at DCAEYC
1.5 Clock Hours | 12 Spots Available

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Teachers are observing children all of the time, but what do we do with our observations? Find ways to reflect upon what you know of the children in your classroom. Consider how they use the space and materials, and what is working and what is not. Reflecting and asking questions helps you lean into passions and proactively solve problems, making your classroom a place of more peace and engagement.

 

Teachers are always observing children. After this workshop, they will:

• Be more specific in what they are observing and the intention or question behind the observation.

• Have different ways to record and keep track of their observations so they will be more readily available to use for planning, assessment, and conferences.

• Have an understanding of what reflection can do for their classroom and how they can make time for it as part of their planning.

 

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

 

Click here to register for Session 3

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Session 4: Intelligent Materials

January 14, 2027
1:00 to 2:30 PM
In Person at DCAEYC
1.5 Clock Hours | 12 Spots Available

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What is meant by intelligent materials? How can we use what we already have or can easily access, including nature and recycled objects, to meet the children in our classroom? How can we set up our invitations and provocations so the materials speak to the children and give them agency and real choices in their own learning?

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Let’s play with materials and find creative energy from each other that we can bring back to our own spaces.

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This hands-on workshop will help teachers:

• Define what an intelligent material is and why that makes a difference to the children and what they learn from the experience.

• Find ways to be creative with what they already have and introduce new materials that are not costly.

• Be open to new ways of exploring materials and find their own spark again.

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

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Click here to register for Session 4

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