Building a Brighter Future, One Educator at a Time.

Afternoon Session: Empowering Educators: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Efficiency and Effectiveness 

Discover how Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can save you time and boost your effectiveness as an early childhood educator. Explore ways AI can personalize learning, reduce burnout, and support professional growth. This hour-long session will provide you with a background of AI, hands-on practice, and collaborative discussions to help you integrate AI into your teaching for greater responsiveness and impact.

No registration fee  

Sponsored by Extension

6:30 - 7:30 pm

Central Time

Evening Session: Empowering Educators: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Efficiency and Effectiveness

Discover how Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can save you time and boost your effectiveness as an early childhood educator. Explore ways AI can personalize learning, reduce burnout, and support professional growth. This hour-long session will provide you with a background of AI, hands-on practice, and collaborative discussions to help you integrate AI into your teaching for greater responsiveness and impact.

No registration fee  

Sponsored by Extension

Upcoming Series Opportunities

Thursdays, August 28 - September 11

08/28, 09/04, 09/11

1:00 - 2:00 pm Central Time

Lunch and Learn - Cultivating Calm: Mindfulness Practices for Early Childhood Educators

These sessions are designed for early childhood professionals and explores how simple, accessible mindfulness practices can support emotional regulation, reduce burnout, and cultivate nurturing classroom environments. Each session blends personal reflection with practical strategies for introducing mindfulness to young children.

Zoom

No cost for live

1.0

Yes - for credit with fee

Register Here

Tuesdays, September 2 - November 11

09/02, 09/09. 09/16, 09/23, 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/04

1:00 - 2:00 pm Central Time

Lunch and Learn - Play-Based Learning in Practice

This series will dive into pedagogical foundations, best practices, thoughtfully designed environments, and practical activity ideas that support children's growth through play. Each session will highlight core concepts and real-world strategies, while also incorporating topics of interest chosen by participants. Whether you're new to play-based learning or looking to deepen your practice, you'll leave each session with inspiration and tools you can immediately apply. 

Flexible Attendance:
Participants are welcome to attend any sessions that fit their schedule. While the sessions build upon each other, each one also stands on its own and can be taken individually.

Missed a Session?
Recordings will be available so you can catch up at your convenience.

Together, we’ll explore how to create meaningful, engaging, and developmentally appropriate experiences that honor the whole child—through the lens of play.
 

Zoom

No cost for live

1.0

Yes - for credit with fee

Register Here

Mondays, November 2 - December 22

11/03, 11/10, 11/17, 11/24, 12/01, 12/08, 12/15, 12/22

Cultivating Healthy Intentional Mindful Educators

Discover how to create a more responsive and mindful early childhood environment in this interactive online program. We'll dive into the latest research and best practices, focusing on how mindfulness can transform your approach to social-emotional development. You’ll learn concrete strategies to manage work challenges, stay calm, and become more responsive—and less reactive—to the children in your care. By integrating simple mindfulness practices into your daily routine, you'll enhance your well-being while nurturing the development of every child you teach.

View Training Flyer

2nd Tuesday of the month

08/12, 09/09, 10/14, 11/11, 12/09, 01/13, 02/10, 03/10, 04/14, 05/12

7:30 - 8:30 pm Central Time

Inside Outside 2025-2026

This year’s Inside Outside Meetings will center around the LEAF Initiative’s Nature-Based Learning Professional Development Series. Each month, participants will engage in a blended learning experience designed to deepen understanding and practical application of nature-based education.   

How it Works:
Step 1: Complete a 1-hour asynchronous online PD module at your own pace. 
Step 2: Join a live virtual meeting to reflect, collaborate, and expand on what you’ve learned.

Choose Your Meeting Time: 
2nd Tuesday of each month | 7:30–8:30 PM CT 
2nd Thursday of each month | 1:00–2:00 PM CT 
Whether you're just beginning to explore nature-based learning or looking to grow your existing practice, this series offers meaningful insights and supportive community connections—all grounded in research and real-world experience. Let nature inspire your teaching—inside and out!

Hybrid

No cost for live

1.0

Yes - no credit awarded for recording

Register Here for Thursday Meetings