April 24 - 25, 2026, UW-Stout Memorial Student Center
This year's theme, Whole-Child, Whole Educator: Building Emotional Wellness in Every Classroom, highlights the integral relationship between the emotional well-being of educators and the holistic development of children. This year’s conference broadens its focus to include Kindergarten through 3rd-grade educators, recognizing the shared importance of emotional wellness across the early and elementary learning continuum. We also invite early childhood special education teachers to join us as we work together to build inclusive, emotionally supportive learning environments. Through research-based practices, collaborative dialogue, and innovative approaches, this theme invites educators to examine how nurturing both the whole child and the whole educator contributes to stronger, more connected, and emotionally supportive learning environments.
We are excited to announce Stout's own Julie Bates-Maves as our Friday Keynote!
Julie Bates-Maves, LPC, PhD, is a licensed professional counselor and professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She specializes in treating trauma, substance use disorders, and resilience-building.
Keynote title: Stress and Burnout: Considerations for Teachers
Stress and burnout impact the lives and work of teachers. Understanding that impact is important. More important, however, is knowing how to respond. This talk will explore the state of burnout, its progression, and recommend responses to support the body in a stressed state. Information will be useful for teachers as much as for the students they teach.
Friday, April 24, Session 2 Presenters: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
| Student Center- Ballroom C | Talking to Children About Death Presented by: Kevin Doll, Julie Bates-Maves |
| Student Center- Northwoods | |
| Student Center- Cedar/Maple | It Takes a Village: Finding Joy and Community in the Infant Classroom Presented by: Kristen Korkowski |
| Student Center- Badger | From Meltdowns to Magic Moments: Practical Strategies for Early Childhood Behavior Presented by: Debbie Davis |
| Student Center- Oakwood | From Wiggles to Wellness: Using Proprioception in the Classroom Presented by: Kara Mattes, Jessica Jennings, Kristen Pease |
| Student Center- Birch | Creating Wonder in the Classroom Presented by: Becky Lee, Patti Dykstra |
| Student Center- White Pine | |
| Student Center- Willow/Walnut | Engineering Design Activities for Elementary Education Presented by: Kevin Mason, Dr. Lindsay Barnhart |
| Price Commons- Cranberry Creek | Cultivating Calm in the Midst of Chaos Presented by: Deb Johnson, Jessica Taldone, Erin Lencowski |
| Jarvis Hall Science Wing Room 105 | Simple Science for Preschool and Beyond Presented by: Marcia Wolf, Matt Kuchta |
Friday, April 24, Session 3 Presenters: 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM
| Student Center- Ballroom C | Butcher Paper Basics Presented by: Nikki Grunwald, Katie VandenBosch |
| Student Center- Northwoods | Easy and Engaging Brain-Based Strategies to Get Students Regulated Presented by: Donna Fabian |
| Student Center- Cedar/Maple | Healthy Communication and Encouragement Resources Presented by: Liz Traff |
| Student Center- Badger | More Light, Less Load: How AI Supports the Whole Educator and the Whole Child Presented by: Dalton Ercolano |
| Student Center- Oakwood | Connecting Youth with Pollinators Presented by: Megan Giefer-Shimmel |
| Student Center- Birch | Rooted in Resilience Presented by: Becky Bender, Katy Bobzin |
| Student Center- White Pine | Rooted in Resilience Presented by: Angie Sailing, Holly Hale |
| Student Center- Willow/Walnut | Strategies for Mixed-Age Groups in Early Childhood Settings Presented by: Celeste Swaboda |
| Price Commons- Cranberry Creek | An Inside Job: The Vital-yet-Elusive Pyramid beneath the Pyramid Presented by: Michelle Maitri-Mudita, Mahalia Barrick |
| Child & Family Center | Child & Family Center Tour Presented by: Allison Feller |
Friday, April 24, Session 4 Presenters: 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM
| Student Center- Ballroom C | |
| Student Center- Northwoods | Misbehavior or Development? Understanding Children Through Play Schemas Presented by: Britney LaBaron |
| Student Center- Cedar/Maple | Oh, the Jobs You’ll Choose! Rethinking Nontraditional Careers in Early Education Presented by: Matt Simoneau, Dan Kovach |
| Student Center- Badger | |
| Student Center- Oakwood | Music and Mental Health: Building a Strong Foundation for Early Learners Presented by: Marcia Wolf, Julie Bates-Maves |
| Student Center- Birch | Challenging Behaviors in Daycare Centers: An Inclusive Approach to Supporting Daycare Staff Presented by: Mary Croteau, Janey Shampine |
| Student Center- White Pine | Child Focused Teaching Presented by: Jenna Silvering |
| Student Center- Willow/Walnut | New Ways with Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales Presented by: Arielle Loy, Kathy Lansing, Cherish Allen |
| Price Commons- Cranberry Creek | Regulation in Action: Intentionally Teaching the Steps of Regulation during Play Presented by: Lizzy Augustin |
Saturday, April 25, Session 2 Presenters: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
| Student Center- Ballroom C | Preventing Burnout with FREE Resources from WEESSN Presented by: Angie Sailing, Holly Hale |
| Student Center- Northwoods | The Impact of Structured Playful Learning Presented by: Theresa Paterra |
| Student Center- Cedar/Maple | Cultivating Calm in the Midst of Chaos Presented by: Deb Johnson, Jessica Taldone, Erin Lencowski |
| Student Center- Badger | |
| Student Center- Oakwood | Director’s Roundtable: Leading, Learning, and Growing Together in Early Childhood Education Presented by: Allison Feller |
| Student Center- Birch | |
| |
| Student Center- Willow/Walnut | Strategies for Mixed-Age Groups in Early Childhood Settings Presented by: Celeste Swaboda |
| Price Commons- Cranberry Creek | New Ways with Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales Presented by: Arielle Loy, Kathy Lansing, Cherish Allen |
Saturday, April 25, Session 3 Presenters: 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM
| Student Center- Ballroom C | Oh, the Jobs You’ll Choose! Rethinking Nontraditional Careers in Early Education Presented by: Matt Simoneau, Dan Kovach |
| Student Center- Northwoods | The Impact of Structured Playful Learning Presented by: Theresa Paterra |
| Student Center- Cedar/Maple | Little Letters, Big Fun! Presented by: Amber Ostermann, LuAnn Neuenschwander |
| Student Center- Badger | Child Focused Teaching Presented by: Jenna Silvering |
| Student Center- Oakwood | Connecting Youth with Pollinators Presented by: Megan Giefer-Shimmel |
| Student Center- Birch | Rooted in Resilience Presented by: Becky Bender, Katy Bobzin |
| Student Center- White Pine | Healthy Communication and Encouragement Resources Presented by: Liz Traff |
| Child & Family Center | Child & Family Center Tour Presented by: Allison Feller |
Saturday, April 25, Session 4 Presenters: 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM
| Student Center- Ballroom C | Butcher Paper Basics Presented by: Nikki Grunwald, Katie VandenBosch |
| Student Center- Northwoods | Misbehavior or Development? Understanding Children Through Play Schemas Presented by: Britney LaBaron |
| Student Center- Cedar/Maple | Little Letters, Big Fun! Presented by: Amber Ostermann, LuAnn Neuenschwander |
| Student Center- Badger | More Light, Less Load: How AI Supports the Whole Educator and the Whole Child Presented by: Dalton Ercolano |
| Student Center- Oakwood | Minnesota ECIPs: What's Changed & What It Looks Like in Preschool Presented by:Tammy Majiala, |
| Student Center- Birch | The Vital-yet-Elusive Pyramid beneath the Pyramid Presented by: Michelle Maitri-Mudita, Mahalia Barrick |
| Student Center- White Pine | Building Emotional Safety in the Classroom & at Home Presented by: Zeinab Abdalla |
Attendee Hotel Accommodations:
Hampton Inn & Suites Menomonie
We have a room block set here for your convenience.
2017 Stout Street
Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751
Explore More at Hampton Inn & Suites
- Rate: Call to book and mention "C-ECH" rate code to receive the price
- Visit this link to book at the discounted rate online
- Distance to UW-Stout: 8 min. drive
- Parking: Free onsite parking at the hotel for the duration of your stay
Call (715) 231-3030 to book your room
Cobblestone Inn & Suites Menomonie
We do not have a room block set here.
149 Main Street E.
Menomonie, WI 54751
Explore More at Cobblestone Inn & Suites
- Rate: $150.00 per night
- Distance to UW-Stout: 2 min. walk
- Parking: Free onsite parking at the hotel for the duration of your stay
Call (715)-233-0211 to book your room
Best Western Plus Inn & Suites Menomonie
We do not have a room block set here.
320 Oak Avenue
Menomonie, WI 54751
Explore More at Best Western
- Rate: $122.00 per night
- Distance to UW-Stout: 6 min. drive
- Parking: Free onsite parking at the hotel for the duration of your stay
Call (715) 235-5664 to book your room.
2026 Registration Rates:
General Attendee Full Conference early bird rate: $200.00
General Attendee Full Conference regular rate: $225.00
General Attendee Group Full Conference early bird rate (2 or more people): $185.00
General Attendee Full Conference regular rate (2 or more people): $210.00
General Attendee One-Day early bird rate: $145.00
General Attendee One-Day regular rate: $165.00
General Attendee One-Day Group early bird rate (2 or more people): $130.00
General Attendee Full Conference regular rate (2 or more people): $150.00
Student Attendee Full Conference rate: $45.00
Student Attendee One-Day rate: $25.00
Exhibitor Single Booth (includes one six-foot table) early bird rate: $165.00
Exhibitor Single Booth (includes one six-foot table) regular rate: $180.00
Exhibitor Double Booth (includes two six-foot tables) early bird rate: $225.00
Exhibitor Double Booth (includes two six-foot tables) regular rate: $250.00
Sponsorship Levels and Benefits:
- Logo recognition in conference promotional piece
- Logo recognition in e-mail promotional messages
- Logo featured on the conference website, including a link to your company’s website
- Opportunity to provide company promotional piece in participant packets
- Logo recognition on conference signage
- Logo recognition during lunch slide show
- Logo recognition on the conference program cover
- Single booth space at the conference
- Four complimentary registrations, including booth attendant (total 4)
- Logo recognition in conference promotional piece
- Logo recognition in e-mail promotional messages
- Logo featured on the conference website, including a link to your company’s website
- Opportunity to provide company promotional piece in participant packets
- Logo recognition on conference signage
- Logo recognition during lunch slide show
- Logo recognition on the conference program cover
- Single booth space at the conference
- Three complimentary registrations, including booth attendant (total 3)
- Text recognition in conference promotional piece
- Logo featured on the conference website, including a link to your company’s website
- Logo recognition on conference signage
- Logo recognition during lunch slide show
- Text listing recognition on the conference program cover
- Single booth space at the conference
- Two complimentary registrations, including booth attendant (total 2)
- Text Listing on the conference website, including a link to your company’s website
- Text listing recognition on conference signage
- Text listing recognition on the conference program cover
- Single booth space at the conference
- One complimentary registration, including booth attendant (total 1)
Conference FAQ
Shuttle and Parking for Friday, April 24:
Parking is not available on campus on Friday, April 24. There will be a shuttle bus running continuously from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. from the following motels to the Memorial Student Center: AmericInn by Wyndham, Best Western Plus, Hampton Inn and Suites, Motel 6, and Super 8 by Wyndham, The afternoon shuttle will run from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. from the Memorial Student Center to the AmericInn, Best Western Plus, Hampton Inn and Suites, Motel 6 and Super 8 by Wyndham.
You are welcome to park and leave your car in the parking lots of the hotels even if you do not have a reservation. Only ADA/special needs parking passes are available for on-campus parking on Friday, April 24.
Parking for Saturday, April 25:
Parking is available on the University of Wisconsin-Stout campus on Saturday in the parking lots and on the streets around campus. There is no need to pay at the pay stations on Saturday.
You can register online and pay immediately for the conference via a credit card, or you can check to pay later and we will invoice you. If you choose to receive an invoice you can either pay online with a link in the invoice or mail in a check payment.
Our mailing address is:
Continuing Education and Conferences
University of Wisconsin-Stout
221 10th Avenue East, Suite 140
Menomonie, WI 54751
Our email is:
The Early Childhood Education Virtual Conference is listed with the Registry Wisconsin and Develop Minnesota
To receive another invoice or paid receipt emailed to you, please contact us at hildinga@uwstout.edu