Information and Registration

Overview

Teaching Kindergarten Conference: Where Did the Garden Go?
2025: The Power of Language
Friday, March 7, 2025 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM ET
Saturday, March 8, 2025 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM ET
On site and Online

Registration and Conference Fees

Registration information and 2025 fees will be available soon. If you’re interested in leading a workshop at this year’s conference, please fill out this form

Additional Information

• You will earn 8 CTLE or .8 CEU by participating in this conference. To earn the hours, you must sign in to each activity and participate in all conference activities.
• You may earn one (1) graduate school credit by registering for TEED 551N through the Continuing Professional Studies Office and paying the tuition fee. Contact us at cps@bankstreet.edu for more information.

Conference Schedule

The 2025 conference will have the same keynote for on-site and online attendees but different interactive workshops. Participants will make their workshop selection after registering for the conference.

Friday, March 7, 2025

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Keynote Presentations

Friday Keynote

Critical Elements for a Strong Kindergarten
A vast body of research has substantiated the value and benefit of play- based early childhood education for all children. Dr. Pedro Noguera, one of the nation’s leading scholars on issues related to race, inequality and education, will analyze the critical elements that must be present in kindergarten classrooms, as well as strategies that have proven effective in supporting child development and creating strong foundations for learning. Additionally, he will explore what educators can do to develop effective partnerships with parents to further efforts to support their children.

Dr. Pedro Noguera, Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education, has served as Professor of Education and holder of endowed chairs at UCLA, NYU Harvard University, and the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of 15 books. His most recent book, A Search for Common Ground: Conversations About the Tough Questions and Complex Issues Confronting K-12 Education in the United States Today was the winner of the American Association of Publishers Prose Award. From 2009–2012 Noguera served as a trustee for the State University of New York. He has served as an advisor to the governor of New Mexico on education policy, and worked as an advisor to the state departments of education in Washington, Oregon, New York and Rhode Island, as well as several large urban school districts throughout the country. In 2022 he was appointed to President Biden’s National Commission on Hispanics, and he was asked to serve as the co-chair of the state of California’s Black Student Achievement Taskforce. Noguera has received seven honorary doctorates from American universities, and received awards from Stanford University, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and from the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at NYU for his research and advocacy efforts aimed at fighting poverty. In 2023 he was ranked 1st in the nation for influence and impact in the field of education.

Arts Gathering

The Art of Bookmaking
Explore how this artform nurtures early literacy and inspires writing with Kindergarteners. Together, we will dive into the beauty of a book made by hand as we each create our own books. We will examine opportunities and challenges of making books with kindergarteners and will create strategies that engage even the most reluctant young artists!

Alana Chernecki, an advocate for arts education, is a curriculum writer and consultant. She presents workshops to university students, educators, school boards, and parents, both in Canada and internationally. She also teaches online to hundreds of homeschool families and educators around the world, and can be found at @artfulteaching.joyfullearning on Instagram and on her blog, https://www.artfulteachingjoyfullearning.com/blog/. Chernecki earned her Master’s Degree in Arts Education from the University of Manitoba.

Saturday Keynote

Teacher Talk: The Power of Your Words
Language is a gift that we as educators rely upon to reach and teach our children; however, the complexity of language is often hidden by the ease with which we use it. Understanding the power of the words we choose, how the gift of listening and talking lay the foundation for reading, spelling, and writing, as well as the pleasure of social interactions, is so very important for teachers. Kindergarten is a crucial transition time for language learning. Join us as we explore the complexities and gifts of language together.

Dr. Lydia Soifer is a language pathologist and educator with more than 50 years of experience in clinical and private practice, as well as university teaching. As a parent educator, teacher trainer, and staff developer, she specializes in the role of language in the development of children’s learning, literacy, behavior, and social-emotional development. Dr. Soifer is a frequent presenter at local, national and international conferences. In 2022, Dr. Soifer received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Eagle Hill School in CT, and the Gateway School of New York in New York City. Additionally, she is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and faculty member in the Early Intervention Training Institute (EITI), both at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Author’s Corner

“That One Child”
There is nearly always that one child in an educator’s career that is unforgettable. Rarely do we know the end of the story, yet those children leave an imprint as permanent as a handprint on dried clay. Maddening, inspiring, or heartbreaking (terms not exclusive of one another), the memory of that “one child”, is often the most piercing reminder of the reason we entered education. With humor, Carmen Deedy is the first to affirm that as an elementary student, she was no prize. Join Carmen as she shares an encounter that shaped the trajectory of her school life and influenced her decision to become an author of many beloved bilingual books for children.

Carmen Agra Deedy is an award-winning author of sixteen books for young readers, including Ralph’s Rotten Day and 14 Cows for America which was a New York Times Bestseller. Her latest books are Wombat Said Come In, Carina Felina, and The Peanut Man, due to be released in March 2025.
Her personal stories first appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered. Funny, and insightful, Deedy’s narratives are culled from her childhood as a Cuban refugee in Georgia. In addition she hosts the four-time Emmy-winning children’s program, Love That Book! Deedy is an accomplished lecturer, has been a guest speaker for the Library of Congress, Columbia University, the TED and TEDx Conference, and the Kennedy Center, among other venues. An editor, and lifelong advocate for libraries, she previously served on the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives.

Workshop Descriptions: Session A

Workshops and presenters are listed below. Participants will select one morning and one afternoon workshop through the Whova App (more information about Whova) approximately three weeks prior to the conference. Keynotes and workshops will be recorded and made available to everyone registered for the conference.

2024 workshops

Story Seeds: Using picture books to support identity discussions
A read aloud book can open up new worlds for children. They learn new words, discover new concepts and experiences, and meet new people. They can also build self worth and find joy and pride within themselves. Reading allows children to take a few steps in the shoes of others, opening windows to the possibilities of other worlds. This presentation will show educators how to choose the best books to support children as they build their own identities and shape attitudes and behaviors towards people who differ from them.

Kharissa Kenner is the children’s librarian at Bank Street School for Children. She is a member of the Bank Street Children’s Book Committee and is an anti-racist children’s literature advocate dedicated to teaching educators and families about books that combat stereotypes and affirm children. Kharissa has presented at the Kindergarten Conference (2022, 2023) and NYSAIS Diversity Symposium (2022, 2023). She is also a reviewer for Shelf Awareness. Kharissa has a Master’s in Library Science from Queens College (MLS) and a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from Brooklyn College.

Susie Rios is a kindergarten teacher with 20 years of teaching experience in elementary education. She has presented at the NYSAIS Diversity Conference (2022) and the NYSAIS Brain Conference (2018). Rios co-founded and co-chairs the Anti-Racist Book Group at Bank Street College. She is dedicated to building racial understanding in classrooms through the use of picture books, discussion, and experiential learning. She has an MA in Curriculum Development from SUNY Empire State. Dr. Rios also has an MA in Educational Psychology and a PhD in Education with a focus on the Neuroscience of Learning, both from CUNY Graduate Center.

Beyond Pretend Play! Integrating Drama into Your Classroom
Building on the benefits of pretend play, we will explore drama-based learning activities which can be easily applied to different subject areas. Using the Applied Theatre Approach, you will feel confident using these activities in your Kindergarten classroom. Open your classroom doors to drama!

Marília Lauria is an Applied Theatre Practitioner with 20+ years consulting in elementary schools and applying drama as an educational medium. She has worked in schools and non-profit organizations in Brazil, the UK, the USA, and recently in Portugal. Marília holds an MSEd in Studies in Education from Bank Street College and a MA in Applied Theatre: Theatre in Educational, Community & Social Contexts from the University of London. Her BA, also from the University of London, is in Drama & Theatre Arts.

Children Have So Much to Say: Encouraging Classroom Conversations
Explore how to integrate language, writing and play within the confines of a scripted curriculum. Teachers learn how to encourage kindergartners to articulate their ideas and feelings through their own words, and by narrating and/or drawing stories, and through their play. Topics for conversation can stem from their curriculum, from children’s everyday experiences, and from the world around them.

Fanny Roman has taught Pre-K and Kindergarten, working with English Language Learners and their families. She currently teaches at PS244Q (Queens, NY), The Active Learning Elementary School (TALES), where administrators, teachers, and staff strive to meet children’s academic, physical, and social needs with the belief that educating the whole child allows for learning at optimal levels. Roman received her BA in Early Childhood Education and Sociology and her MS in Children’s Literature with a Bilingual Extension both from Queens College, CUNY.

Karen Hu is the K/1 STEM teacher at The Active Learning Elementary School (TALES) in Queens, NY. She was previously a kindergarten teacher at TALES, and has continued her work there leading initiatives in the school’s Book of the Month Club and the Racial Equity Committee to foster inclusivity and understanding within the school community. Hu received her BA in English and Psychology from Queens College and her MA in Early Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Taking Block Play to the Next Level
Join Anne Montero (@theblocklady) as she shares her Kindergarteners’ approach to building BIG with blocks. In this workshop, you will learn how and why Anne organizes her students into collaborative building teams and have the opportunity to connect with other block loving Kindergarten teachers. We will discuss scheduling, classroom layout, materials, and the rationale for investing your time and energy into building big.

Anne Montero has been a Kindergarten teacher for 13 years and teaches Kindergarten at Packer Collegiate in Brooklyn, NY. As a lifelong learner, Anne is continuously inspired by her colleagues, her students and their families. Anne is a Reggio Emilia inspired educator and an avid block building enthusiast. Follow Anne @theblocklady on Instagram to see her students’ incredible block building projects. She holds a master’s degree in general and special education from Bank Street College of Education.

Confronting Racial Bias in Your Classroom
This workshop empowers teachers as they engage children in learning that affirms their identities and fosters their appreciation for who they (and others) are. Teachers will learn about a set of evidence-based anti-bias strategies (e.g., individuation, perspective taking, etc.) that can be employed in any context regardless of anti-“divisive” concepts legislation. The presenters will highlight their own authentic cases which detail racial biases observed in the classroom, and how they were compassionately interrupted to forge meaningful, joyful, and lasting relationships among peers.

Joy Dangora Erickson (Ph.D.) is an assistant professor of early childhood education at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. Learn more about Joy’s new book, research, and teaching at https://www.joydangoraerickson.com/

Kyleigh P. Rousseau is a Kindergarten teacher in a public school in New Hampshire. She received both her B.S. in Family Studies and Child Development and her M.Ed in Early Childhood Special Education at the University of New Hampshire.

Playful Explorers: Exploring Passion Projects in Kindergarten
Explore the impact of interest-based learning in kindergarten education. We’ll guide you on strategies to integrate students’ unique passion projects into the curriculum for immersive, in-depth exploration. With real-life examples, we’ll demonstrate how passion projects foster a love for learning and unlock each student’s potential. This approach enhances engagement and deepens understanding of core subjects and essential skills. Learn how to create a curiosity-driven environment that empowers students to own their learning journey. Join us to unlock the opportunities of passion-based education.

Ellen Rhomberg has dedicated the past decade to educating young minds in the field of early childhood education. Her experience spans children ages 2 to 6 years old and includes teaching in both public and private schools, as well as single-sex and coeducational environments. Ellen holds a bachelor’s degree in human development and learning, along with a PreK-3rd teaching license, obtained from the University of Memphis. She furthered her education at the University of Memphis by earning a master’s degree in instruction and curriculum leadership, specializing in early childhood education.

Tori Charbonneau is a passionate kindergarten teacher with six years of experience. A proud 2018 graduate of Heidelberg University (Tiffin, OH), she holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in psychology. Her journey as an educator began with a childhood dream; she knew she wanted to be a teacher since her own kindergarten days, and that calling has only grown stronger over the years. She is thankful to live this dream each day in her classroom at The Wellington School, Columbus, OH.

Jennifer Landon has been teaching for 26 years and has taught preschool through 5th grade. She was an administrator at an early childhood center for 8 years. Her bachelor’s degree is in Early Childhood Education and Child Psychology from University of Mary Washington. She obtained her master’s is Special Education and Integrated Curriculum from American College of Education.

“You Took My Lego!” A Community Problem-Solving Approach
Conflict among children is an opportunity. We’ll look at a protocol where each party to a disagreement has power in its resolution. First, we’ll consider the underpinnings of true power. Then, we’ll look at how the broader classroom community can help out.

John Allgood has taught Kindergarten for 25 years in Brooklyn, NY. He was a founding teacher at Arts & Letters where he was the primary Kindergarten curriculum designer. He has presented workshops on Outside Classroom – Routines for Open-Ended Nature Learning; Snack Math – Integrating Concepts of Takeaway into Kindergarten Life; Bridge-Building in the Classroom among others. He currently provides staff support at the Centro de Educación Creativa, Monteverde, Costa Rica. Allgood received a BA from the University of North Carolina and an MSEd in Elementary/Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College.

Kindergarten Roots: Revisiting Froebel
Freidrich Froebel was the founder of Kindergarten in 1837 in Blankenburg Germany. His words are often quoted, “Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.” This workshop will give participants a deeper understanding of Froebel’s work and why his pedagogical principles are still foundational for teaching kindergarten in today’s complex world.

Andrea Buffara has worked as a special needs teacher, academic services coordinator, school principal, and director. In her various roles, she implemented, monitored, evaluated, and designed projects and programs. Buffara co-founded three schools: Escola Americana de Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brazil (2018), Kruger School Primaria in Quito, Ecuador (2022), and Rio Learning Studio a Froebelian-inspired preschool that will open in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in February 2024. She holds a BA in political science from Barnard College, an MS in Development Studies from London School of Economics, and an ED.M from Teacher’s College/Columbia University.

Workshop Descriptions: Session B

Workshops and presenters are listed below. Participants will select one morning and one afternoon workshop through the Whova App (more information about Whova) approximately three weeks prior to the conference. Keynotes and workshops will be recorded and made available to everyone registered for the conference.

2024 workshops

Becoming a Voice for the Littles: Influencing Schools, Districts, and State Policy
With her strong commitment to Progressive Education and play-based learning, Meg works with colleagues, school administrators, and district and state policy makers to impact educational change. In this workshop she will talk about the process and outcomes of this experience and invite participants to share current concerns and goals. Teachers will then create action plans to take back to their own school communities.

Meg Walker is in her 20th year as a public school teacher. She is the Transitional Kindergarten teacher for Groton Public Schools in Groton, CT. She believes that building a strong foundation of academic and social skills in kindergarten will lead to a lifelong passion for learning. She earned her MA in childhood education from NYU.

Being a Kindergarten Teacher in the Age of College and Career Readiness
A virtual “make and take”. After some initial discussion, participants will go into breakout rooms to look at their own schedules to see where art, music, play, etc. can be incorporated into existing, mandated structures.

Kim McLeveighn taught K-5 students in public and charter schools in the Bronx for 20 years. A special education teacher, Kim worked in ICT classrooms and as a Special Education Teacher Support Services (SETSS) provider. She came to Bank Street in 2019 as an adjunct instructor, and in 2021 added supervised fieldwork advising to her duties. Currently she is the Director of Student Learning Support for the graduate school. McLeveighn got her MS Ed from Bank Street College.

No Risk, No Reward: The Benefits of Risky Play
We’ve all said it… ‘Be careful!’ or ‘That’s too dangerous’ when our students are playing. We will challenge that idea and explores the proven benefits of observing, promoting and guiding different types of risky play for kindergarteners. Together, we will dive into research and learn simple risk-taking activities to integrate into your classroom!

Amelia Manes is currently a Kindergarten teacher and Anji Play liaison at Live Oak School in San Francisco, CA. She has taught in public and private schools, as well as teaching in Mexico. She is a Teach For America alumni (GNO ‘13) and holds a Masters Degree in Education: Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University. She also TESOL/International Baccalaureate certificates.

Integrity, Persistence, Acceptance, and More: Transforming Classroom Culture
Presenters will share a framework that helps children develop values that become part of the classroom culture and evolve into who they are as citizens in the world. Through videos and anecdotes, we will describe how we incorporate ‘intentions’ – special words of kindness and empathy such as generosity, integrity, persistence, courage and acceptance – that can be visualized and physicalized, forming the foundation of our social/emotional framework. These words create the container for children to make their world a kinder and more compassionate place.

Karen Levenberg is a Coach for Studio in a School and Teaching Beyond the Square. She was a classroom teacher for 17 years, teaching at the Blue School in NYC for 10 years. Prior to teaching, she helped initiate early literacy Even Start programs in NYC public schools. Karen holds an MSEd in early childhood education from Brooklyn College, an MPH in public health from Hunter College, and a BA in studio art/art history from Oberlin College.

Annabelle Baylin is an adjunct professor of Early Childhood Literacy at Brooklyn College, CUNY, and has taught pre-K through first grade at schools in New York for 10 years. She enjoys bringing mindfulness into the daily routines of the classroom, facilitating an emergent curriculum, early literacy, and having conversations about social justice with children. Annabelle holds an MSEd in early childhood general and special education from Brooklyn College and a BA in mindfulness in education from New York University.

Honoring Childrens’ Identities
Discovering and honoring your children’s identities is essential for the social/emotional well-being of every child in your classroom. In this workshop teachers will learn meaningful strategies and tools to use with their children to create joy, connection and compassion as children feel recognized and appreciated for who they are.

Daisy Salazar-Garza has 16 plus years of experience in education in both elementary schools in New York including the KIPP Infinity Elementary School and Los Angeles. She has been a principal of the Kipp Poder Public School for the past 8 years and enjoys developing and inspiring educators to be anti-racist practitioners. Salazar-Garza is a graduate of Bank Street’s Graduate School of Education with a Masters degree in Educational Leadership.

Choice Time: Play, Purpose, and Possibility
Presenters will support participants in the development of powerful, authentic, inquiry-based choice time experiences with a focus on child-directed play and purpose. Through interactive discussion, teachers will have the opportunity to focus on: how to plan for centers, design inter-disciplinary inquiry-based projects, implement predictable routines, and link curricular-standard documents within a child-centered model.

Renée Dinnerstein (@RDinnerstein) has more than 50 years of experience as an early childhood educator, teaching and presenting in Italy, Hong Kong, China and in the United States. She is a past member of the Columbia University Teachers’ College Reading and Writing Project, Early Childhood Reading ‘think tank’, and has worked as an Early Childhood Staff Developer in the New York City Department of Education, where she helped write the New York City Pre-Kindergarten Standards. Renée has consulted with teachers and in schools throughout the United States, Canada, South America, Hong and China. She is the author of Choice Time: How to Deepen Learning Through Inquiry and Play. Visit her online at investigatingchoicetime.com.

Larry Leaven, former Founding Principal of the Dalton School in Hong Kong, has worked in education for 35 years. He earned a degree in elementary education and in music education from Houghton University, Houghton, NY and received his master’s degree in education and a certificate of advanced study in educational administration from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. Leavan served two years as the principal of the Beijing International Bilingual Academy in Beijing, China. In addition to his international work, Larry has served in various capacities in New York State, including: teacher, principal, adjunct lecturer, assistant superintendent and superintendent. He currently consults with schools in literacy, language and leadership.

Collecting, Counting, and Learning about Numbers Together
Use your classroom environment to support and strengthen children’s understanding of numbers. This workshop presents teachers with a roadmap to engage their kindergarteners in an ongoing community math activity as they learn what numbers represent. Teachers begin this project by inviting children to bring classroom materials to morning meeting: beginning with one object and increasing the number each day until reaching the number 15. Discussions about numbers, as well as addition and subtraction number sentences, are easily incorporated into this project.

Eric Varela is a dedicated educator who has been teaching for over 10 years and has been working as a Dual Language Demonstration Teacher at the UCLA Lab School for 4 years. His passion to educate future active citizens and instill love for the Spanish language began as he taught in the private and public sector. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and Music from California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) and his Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern California (USC). He is enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge and teaching practices with other educators and the public.

Kelly Peters teaches at the UCLA Lab School where she loves partnering with her students in building community. She has a Master of Education from University of California San Diego and a MA in Intercultural Studies and Children at Risk from Fuller Graduate School. Kelly has presented at several conferences nationally and internationally. She enjoys playing with her son, listening to podcasts, and exploring new cities.

Into the Garden: Love, Joy, and Nature in the Kindergarten Classroom and Beyond
In this time of environmental crisis and growing extremes of wealth and poverty, teaching for climate justice must be top priority for all preK-12 educators. In kindergarten, that means teaching children to love—to love exploration and discovery, to love themselves as creative people full of wonder and life, to love and care for plants and animals, and, by so doing, come to know that our well-being is intertwined with theirs. In this interactive workshop, we will share our ideas and strategies for making kindergarten a magical space where children build caring relationships with each other and with nature.

Liat Olenick is a science and early childhood educator. She started as an environmental educator at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, before shifting to teach grades preK-4 in public schools. She is also an organizer with Climate Families NYC, a grassroots organization that organizes families and young children for climate justice. She has extensive experience facilitating learning for kids and adults in all settings– from outdoors, to the classroom and to zoom.

Tom Roderick is a writer, educator and organizer based in New York City. After retiring in 2019 as founding executive director of Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility, a post he held for 36 years, Tom researched and wrote Teach for Climate Justice: A Vision for Transforming Education (Harvard Education Press 2023). He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University and a master’s in education from Bank Street College of Education.