70's Groovy Element Lined

EARLY CHILDHOOD

EDUCATION

SUMMIT

a free conference for early childhood education learners & Leaders, hosted by csu pueblo


Friday, april 5, 2024 | 8:00 am- 3:00 pm

REGISTRATION IS AT CAPACITY

Join the waitlist and you will be notified if a space becomes available.

Join the waitlist

Circled mountain sunset emblem
70's Groovy Element Lined
Circled mountain sunset emblem
70's Groovy Element Lined

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

Bridging Gaps, Building Futures: Strengthening Early Childhood Education in Southern Colorado

Join us at Colorado State University Pueblo for a free pivotal conference focused on the transformative role of early childhood education (ECE). Our theme, "Bridging Gaps, Building Futures" centers on the impact ECE has on lifelong learning with an emphasis on collaboration, equity and inclusion.


We will explore effective strategies to foster curiosity and a passion for learning in young children, understanding that these early experiences significantly shape their future educational journeys. Through gathering with diverse ECE professionals, educators, and leaders, this free day of learning is designed to prepare educators and impact-makers in guiding young minds in a way that fosters resilience and well-being in both learners and leaders of the classroom.


With support from Children First, this conference is a call to action for early childhood professionals across sectors. By joining us in Southern Colorado, you will reflect the mosaic of our region, one that leads the way in inclusive and innovative education. Register for FREE by Friday, March 22nd to secure your spot and be a part of building a future where every child’s education opens doors to a world of possibilities.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Opportunities for everyone

Collaboration Icon
Jobs Icon

Diverse Professional Roles Across Disciplines

Wherever you are in your Career or Education

70's Groovy Element Lined
  • Undergraduate or Graduate Students
  • Early in Career
  • Mid-level Professionals
  • Workplace Mentors
  • Emerging Leaders
  • Senior Leaders


  • Early Childhood Educators
  • Mental Health Clinicians
  • Advocates & Policymaker
  • Parent/Family Education & Support Specialists
  • Early Interventionists
  • Social Workers
  • Home Visitors
  • Program or Agency Administrators
  • Child Welfare Professionals
70's Groovy Element Lined

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

8:00 AM

Check-in, Breakfast, Explore Resource Fair

8:30 AM

Welcome & Spotlight Speaker (Dr. Lisa Roy)

9:25 AM

Break and Transition to Sessions

9:35 AM

Session Block 1

10:20 AM

Break and Transition to Sessions

70's Groovy Element Lined

10:30 AM

Session Block 2

11:15 AM

Break, Explore Resource Fair, Transition to Lunch

11:30 AM

Lunch, Mingle, Explore Resource Fair

12:00 PM

Keynote Speaker (Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford)

12:55 PM

Break and Transition to Sessions

1:10 PM

Session Block 3

1:55 PM

Break and Transition to Panel Discussion

2:05 PM

Panel Discussion

2:50 PM

Closing Remarks

PANEL DISCUSSION

Family Partnerships & Social-Emotional Growth: An Inclusive Early Childhood Approach

with Dorothy Day

Director, ECHO & Family Center

Early Childhood Council

with Laura Vega Flores

Early Head Start Early

Intervention/Disabilities

Coordinator, Early Learning Ventures

with Molly Milusnic

Faculty & ECE Coordinator,

Pueblo Community College

with Dr. Karen Krepps

Assistant Professor of Education

CSU Pueblo

with Dr. Lisa Roy

Executive Director

Colorado Department of Early Childhood


SPONSORED BY THE BUELL FOUNDATION

YES, WE MEAN FREE

Thanks to the impactful support from the Buell Foundation, we are offering free registration to this new ECE Summit. The Buell Foundation is committed to supporting the positive development of children and has partnered with CSU Pueblo to strengthen accessible pathways for ECE leaders to learn and for families with young children to thrive.


The ECE Summit is committed to fostering accessible opportunities for early childhood education (ECE) professionals to further their learning and enhance their ability to provide top-quality education and care to young learners. By offering free attendance, we aim to break down financial barriers and ensure that dedicated educators from all income levels and backgrounds can participate. We believe that by supporting the ongoing development of ECE professionals, we ultimately empower families in Southern Colorado and beyond to have committed and supported leaders in the classroom and the broader ECE community.


Your free registration includes complimentary breakfast, lunch, and classroom giveaways. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your broader ECE networks!

REGISTRATION IS AT CAPACITY

Join the waitlist

Join the waitlist and you will be notified if a space becomes available.

EXPLORE THE COMMUNITY

RESOURCE FAIR

During check-in, breaks, and lunch time, please be sure to visit the ECE Summit Resource Fair, with representation from the following organizations and more!

EXTENDED STUDIES

THE LOCATION

SETTING THE

STAGE.

70's Groovy Element Lined

Get ready to be inspired at Colorado State University Pueblo, the perfect setting for our upcoming Early Childhood Education conference! Nestled in the culturally vibrant city of Pueblo, CSU Pueblo is not just a hub of academic excellence, but a beacon of diversity and innovation.


With its commitment to small class sizes and personalized learning, CSU Pueblo sets the stage for engaging and meaningful discussions — exactly what you’d hope for in a conference focused on the foundational years of education. You will explore the latest in ECE on a campus where every corner is designed for discovery and collaboration.


Being a Hispanic Serving Institution, CSU Pueblo embodies the spirit of inclusivity and multicultural understanding, echoing the summit’s ethos of embracing diversity in education. Plus, Pueblo’s rich history and gorgeous springtime weather add an extra layer of excitement to your conference experience.


At CSU Pueblo, it's not just about the learning; it's about building a community that cares, shares, and dares to transform the future of early childhood education.

Account verification icon collection. Verified badge icon set. Social media account verification icons. Check mark icons. Tick vector icons.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CERTIFICATE & CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES

The Summit will offer two professional development opportunities.

Quality Certificate with Check Mark

CERTIFICATE

Attendance and participation will grant you a certificate to use for CEUs in the PDIS system. To gain the certificate, you must:

  • Be checked in at the ECE Summit
  • Attend the summit all day (8am-3pm)
  • Complete the post-conference survey (to be sent out April 5th)

1 CREDIT

Graduate Credit through CSU Pueblo’s School of Education

  • Be checked in at the ECE Summit
  • Attend the summit all day (8am-3pm)
  • Complete the post-conference survey (to be sent out April 5th)
  • Read and submit a reflection on “My Nana's Remedies/Los Remedios De Mi Nana” a children’s book written by our keynote speaker. This book will be provided for free at the summit.
  • Review the course here and register to earn the graduate credit for a $55 course fee.
    • You can complete the registration before or after the summit
    • Two payment options:
      • Online payment with a small transaction fee
      • Pay at CSU Pueblo’s Cashier’s Office (no transaction fee)

SEE YOU SOON!

QUESTIONS? CONTACT KAREN KREPPS

karen.krepps@csupueblo.edu

Join the waitlist

Circled mountain sunset emblem
Black Copyright Symbol

2024 BY COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY PUEBLO