Through partnership with the Texas Education Agency and Texas Workforce Commission, the Children’s Learning Institute at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) hosts the TSR Summer Institute as an exceptional professional development opportunity provided free of charge to Texas early childhood educators. The Institute is known for its unique combination of presentations by both national research experts and experienced, hands-on trainers and coaches. In addition to training in the very best research to practice methods, attendees have the opportunity to network with more than 1,000 professionals from every variety of early care setting.
Participants can earn 13 or more professional development (clock hours or CPEs) if they attend the full conference. Certificates are awarded through TECPDS for each session. At the TSR Institute, attendees will find diverse sessions for early childhood professionals currently working in the classroom, leading schools and centers, and supporting other professionals through coaching and training. We strive for a unique mix of sessions sharing the latest research and evidence-based practice, with hands-on sessions that provide strategies and tools to implement immediately.
06/09/2025 08:30
to
Erin Baumgartner
Director, Houston Education Research Consortium, Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University
Session Type: Live
Age Group: ALL
Session Description:
What’s the difference between research and data—and how can both strengthen your decisions? This session explores ways to identify strong local and national research on early childhood education, which can be used for planning at every level, and gives an overview of what recent research tells us about the benefits of high quality, early learning experiences.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 5: Observation and Assessment
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies
06/09/2025 10:30
to
Jessica Abraham
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Administrators/Directors
Session Description:
This training session will explore effective behavior management strategies in early childhood education (ECE) with a special focus on promoting social-emotional development. Grounded in the "Leading with Love" approach, participants will learn how to create a loving, nurturing and supportive classroom environment where young children can thrive emotionally and socially.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance.
CPE Strategy:
Classroom Management, School Leadership & Administration.
06/09/2025 10:30
to
Viry Nieto
Mildred Bautista
Session Type: Live
Age Group: ALL
Session Description:
Esta es una capacitación muy dinámica en la que colaborarás con otros educadores mientras reflexionamos sobre nuestra forma de enseñar, las estrategias que utilizamos y las actividades que incluimos en nuestra planificación. Esta reflexión nos permitirá renovar y enriquecer nuestra instrucción, considerando de manera individual las necesidades de cada niño al diseñar experiencias de aprendizaje más efectivas y personalizadas.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards.
Administrators - Core Competency Area 5: Implementing a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum and Environment.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies
06/09/2025 10:30
to
Diana Avila
Delicia Parker
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Infant/Toddler Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Administrators/Directors
Session Description:
During this training, educators will be able to learn about self-care and explore the critical importance of nurturing the self and its effect on their overall well-being; explore the dimensions of self-care and how to incorporate practical strategies to include self-care into daily routines, engage in activities, and leave with tools to prioritize their well-being while creating a more positive and effective learning environment.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 8: Health, Safety, and Nutrition.
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 9: Professionalism and Ethics.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/09/2025 10:30
to
Sheika Pettaway
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Administrators/Directors
Session Description:
Handbooks, memos, and meetings only go so far when setting expectations for staff and parents. Despite clear communication efforts, gaps often remain that lead to frustration and unmet standards. This training dives into the reasons behind these disconnects and offers practical solutions to close the gap. Learn how to address miscommunications, unspoken assumptions, and resistance to policies in a way that builds trust and ensures alignment between staff, parents, and organizational goals.
Core Competency Area:
Administrators - Core Competency Area 1: Establishing and Maintaining an Effective Organization.
CPE Strategy:
School Leadership & Administration.
06/09/2025 10:30
to
Tracy Jones
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: ALL
Session Description:
Welcome to the TECPDS Adventure! This training is designed to take you on an exciting journey through the Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System (TECPDS). Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance your career, this adventure will provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to unlock your full potential.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 9: Professionalism and Ethics.
Administrators - Core Competency Area 3: Human Resource Leadership and Development.
CPE Strategy:
School Leadership & Administration.
06/10/2025 08:30
to
Ana Reyna
Melissa De la Garza
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers. Administrators/Directors
Session Description:
This presentation will explore key strategies for understanding and addressing children’s behavior in a positive and constructive way. Participants will gain insight into the reasons behind challenging behaviors and learn effective approaches to support children’s social-emotional development.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development, Practitioners - Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies, School Leadership & Administration
06/10/2025 08:30
to
Eunetra Simpson
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Infant/Toddler Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Administrators/Directors.
Session Description:
This virtual session explores how fine arts support early literacy and language development through a family- and community-centered lens. Participants will experience performances that highlight storytelling, music, and dramatic play, and gain practical strategies to engage families, celebrate diverse voices, and foster school readiness through creative expression.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 7: Family and Community Relationships.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/10/2025 08:30
to
Colleen Haddad
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Administrators/Directors, Pre-K/K Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc), Early Childhood Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc)
Session Description:
The session underscores how data and coaching can reshape educators’ beliefs, leading to impactful practice changes that improve student outcomes. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to facilitate belief transformations and advocate for evidence-based policies within their organizations.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development. Administrators - Core Competency Area 5: Implementing a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum and Environment.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies, School Leadership & Administration.
06/10/2025 08:30
to
Terri Bledsoe
Lysa Nguyen
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Infant/Toddler Teachers.
Session Description:
Milestones matter! They help us understand how a child learns and grows and can indicate if they are developing as expected. In this session participants will practice intentional observations and be introduced to the Infant & Toddler Developmental Milestones Checklists, which is available for free on CLI Engage.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 5: Observation and Assessment.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/10/2025 08:30
to
Ashley Love
Kim Venegas
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K, K-Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Pre-K/K Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc),Early Childhood Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
Educators will learn to design unique guiding questions for any read aloud in their classroom. These higher-level questions are posed before reading to give students a purpose for listening, improve comprehension, and encourage deep thinking. Teachers will then learn to use these questions after reading to have rich conversations with 2-3 students utilizing higher-order comprehension skills. Strategies for increasing question complexity for books that are read more than once will also be discussed.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/10/2025 10:00
to
Michael Mesa
Santiago Ospina-Duran
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K, K-Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers.
Session Description:
This presentation focuses on the Small Grouping Tool on CLI Engage, a tool that uses data to automatically create small groups with similar skills and recommended activities. Additionally, participants will learn about ways to make their small-group instruction more effective, including but not limited to differing evidence-based ways to group students for instruction.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 5: Observation and Assessment.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/10/2025 10:00
to
Sonja Ezell
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: ALL.
Session Description:
Participants will explore how to sweeten the school year by adding special engagement opportunities. Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day, Kindness Week, and other hallmark activities will be discussed. Through polls, word clouds, and break-out rooms, participants will actively communicate and reflect during this session. The presenter will utilize links, digital resources, and video clips to enhance classroom planning. Read alouds and creative ideas for Literacy Centers and Exploration Boxes to steepen learning will be shared.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards.
Administrators - Core Competency Area 5: Implementing a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum and Environment.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/10/2025 10:00
to
Allison Kaiser
Session Type: Live
Age Group: ALL.
Session Description:
What is normal language development and when should parents intervene and seek expert help? The Outreach Team at The Parish School provides a comprehensive overview of the world of speech and language and how it relates to children under the age of 5. Identifying the signs of communication delays can help caregivers distinguish between expected developmental milestones in children and red flags indicating a child is at risk for a language disorder.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development.
CPE Strategy:
Diversity/Special Populations.
06/10/2025 10:00
to
Ana Reyna
Melissa De la Garza
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers.
Session Description:
This presentation will highlight powerful behavioral supports that can prevent misbehavior and behavioral supports that you can teach children. These include classroom expectations, communication of feelings, self-regulation, and social skills. These insights will equip you with practical tools to better support and guide children’s behavior in various settings.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies
06/10/2025 11:30
to
Mildred Bautista
Viry Nieto
Session Type: Live
Age Group: ALL.
Session Description:
This is a very interactive training where you will collaborate with other educators. We will reflect on the way we teach and on the strategies and activities we select to create our lesson plans. This reflection will help improve our instruction, as we will individually see each child's needs and consider them when designing our lesson plans. Recognize areas of opportunity and growth in instruction and planning.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards.
Administrators - Core Competency Area 5: Implementing a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum and Environment.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/10/2025 11:30
to
Kattya Barrera
Claudia Gonzalez
Silvia Vallejo
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Infant/Toddler Teachers.
Session Description:
Participants will learn infant and toddler fine motor developmentally appropriate strategies through the use of FUN Circle Activity Collection: Infant/Toddler activities and plan for different settings!
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development. Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/10/2025 11:30
to
Esperanza Baldwin
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Infant/Toddler Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers.
Session Description:
This training highlights the importance of observation and assessment in early childhood education. Educators will learn to observe children objectively and responsively, use assessment tools aligned with developmentally appropriate practices, and apply data to guide instruction and communicate with families. Through real-world examples and hands-on activities, participants will strengthen their ability to support each child’s growth and learning.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/10/2025 11:30
to
Doris Cardenas
Michael Mesa
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K, K-Teachers, Administrators/Directors, Pre-K/K Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc), Early Childhood Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
Discover how the Kindergarten Classroom Environment Checklist (KCEC) on CLI Engage can elevate your classroom! This dynamic session will showcase how to create optimal learning environments that enhance student engagement and success. Learn practical tips and understand the transformative benefits of using KCEC to enrich your teaching practice. Join us to make your classroom a thriving space for young learners!
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards, Administrators - Core Competency Area 5: Implementing a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum and Environment.
CPE Strategy:
Classroom Management, Instructional Strategies.
06/10/2025 11:30
to
Elise Cohen
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Early Childhood Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
The first three years of a child's life are crucial for their development, laying the foundation for their future growth and learning. However, finding quality training and resources for infant-toddler care can be challenging. That's where the Texas Infant-Toddler Specialist Network (ITSN) comes in! Directors, and Trainers will discover how you can immediately tap into the resources provided by ITSN to support the development of our youngest Texans. This session will offer insights into the available training and materials, ensuring that every child receives the best start in life.
Core Competency Area:
Administrators - Core Competency Area 3: Human Resource Leadership and Development
Administrators - Core Competency Area 5: Implementing a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum and Environment.
CPE Strategy:
School Leadership & Administration
06/11/2025 08:30
to
Sarah Contreras
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: ALL.
Session Description:
Looking for simple, engaging ways to support kids’ learning in the classroom and at home? This session is for teachers, leaders, and parents who want easy, effective literacy and math strategies that anyone can use. We'll explore fun, systematic strategies that build a strong home-school connection and make learning stick. By the end, you'll walk away with a list of ready-to-use ideas and a plan to try at least one in the next couple of weeks.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework
Curriculum, and Standards Practitioners - Core Competency Area 7: Family and Community Relationships.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/11/2025 08:30
to
Dr. Tricia Zucker
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K, K-Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Pre-K/K Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc),Early Childhood Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
Join us for a practical session on how teachers and families can partner to support young children’s language growth. Dr. Tricia Zucker will share easy-to-use strategies grounded in the "Strive for Five" framework, which emphasizes the power of back-and-forth conversations. You’ll learn ways to strengthen home-school connections and equip families with fun, everyday activities that promote rich conversations and continued learning.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/11/2025 08:30
to
Natalie Dearing
Melisa Smith
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Infant/Toddler Teachers, Administrators/Directors.
Session Description
During this session, we will discuss the importance of inclusion in the classroom, ask practitioners to share ideas of how they are already supporting infants and toddlers needs, and introduce resources for supporting differing abilities and partnering with families. We will use the Texas Infant, Toddler, and Three-Year-Old Early Learning Guidelines expectations for caring for young children with disabilities or special needs and have engaging discussions for implementing support strategies in infant and toddler classrooms.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 7: Family and Community Relationships
CPE Strategy:
Diversity/Special Populations
06/11/2025 08:30
to
Elizabeth Diaz
Jerica Chambers
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Infant/Toddler Teachers, Administrators/Directors, Early Childhood Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
In this training, we're going to discuss the importance of promoting two-way conversations between teachers and families in order to individualize support for children. Talk about specific strategies that will help be effective in conversations with families. Then, reflect on how to implement these strategies in the classroom.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 7: Family and Community Relationships.
Administrators - Core Competency Area 6: Instituting Family and Community-Centered Programming.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies
06/11/2025 08:30
to
Catherine Mendoza
Adriana Muniz
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Pre-K/K Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc), Early Childhood Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
Participants will dive into exciting phonological awareness activities from the CIRCLE Activity Collection PreK and brainstorm creative ways to adapt them to various themes.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies
06/11/2025 10:00
to
Mila Sengupta
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Infant/Toddler Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Administrators/Directors, Pre-K/K Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc), Early Childhood Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
Emotion and expression of feelings are natural part of human growth and development. It is essential for caregivers to understand and learn about children’s emotion, and how it influences social-emotional development of young children. Participants will gain knowledge about the ideology of emotion -coaching, how it benefits children and how to successfully implement it in helping young children develop self- control, resilience and self-regulation skills.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance.
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/11/2025 10:00
to
Deb Tamez
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers
Session Description:
DAP is an approach to teaching and learning that considers a child's age, individual needs, and developmental stage. In this presentation, we will learn how to use Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) in lesson planning.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development.
Administrators - Core Competency Area 5: Implementing a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum and Environment.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/11/2025 10:00
to
Sarah Contreras
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: ALL
Session Description:
This session will guide educators and leaders through the process of using data to identify literacy gaps and create targeted intervention plans for students. Participants will explore how to effectively track student progress, analyze literacy data, and design personalized intervention plans that support literacy growth. By the end, attendees will walk away with practical tools for creating data-driven intervention plans that can be implemented immediately to address students’ specific literacy needs.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 5: Observation and Assessment.
Administrators - Core Competency Area 5: Implementing a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum and Environment
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies
06/11/2025 10:00
to
Hannah Sumrall
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Infant/Toddler Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers.
Session Description:
This course will review current evidence, terminology, and best practices for using visual and communication supports in pre-school, kindergarten, early childhood, and infant/toddler classrooms that benefit both children with special needs and your classroom as a whole.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards.
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development.
06/11/2025 11:30
to
Elisa Resendiz
Valerie Bambha
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Early Childhood Teachers.
Session Description:
Educators will explore The Changing Seasons Collection, designed with media-rich resources to support PreK and Kindergarten science learning. They'll discover the Idea Sketchpad, a teacher planning tool, and practice using it to enhance seasonal content instruction and integrate it effectively into their teaching strategies.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies
06/11/2025 11:30
to
Sarai Smith
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Infant/Toddler Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers.
Session Description:
This session will explore ways to: Design play spaces that reflect the diverse identities of your students, Promote child-led learning and creativity, and Support social-emotional development through inclusive play.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development.
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies
06/11/2025 11:30
to
Heather Varon
Juan Pablo Lugo
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers.
Session Description:
Discover why theme is so important. Learn how to integrate theme into all aspects of your classroom from read-alouds to centers. Create a plan you can take back to your classroom and use right away.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/11/2025 11:30
to
Kenneth Sherman
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Pre-K/K Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc), Early Childhood Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
Executive function skills are crucial building blocks for the early development of both cognitive and social capacities. These cognitive skills lay the foundation for how young children will continue their learning and development in each stage of their life. One such message is that simple group games and songs provide a good avenue for developing these skills. In this workshop, the components of executive function and self-regulation will be discussed as an overview, followed by practical classroom activities and strategies that teachers can implement to support the development of self-regulation in young children.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development.
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/12/2025 08:30
to
Allison Bell
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Infant/Toddler Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Administrators/Directors.
Session Description:
This virtual training equips early childhood educators with trauma-informed strategies to support children affected by adverse experiences. Participants will explore how trauma impacts brain development and behavior, and they'll gain tools to foster resilience, emotional safety, and strong relationships. Interactive activities, videos, and group discussions provide a dynamic learning experience that empowers educators to respond with compassion and create healing environments.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies
06/12/2025 08:30
to
Tiffany Self
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Early Childhood Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
Experience the science of learning through an interactive online workshop about brain architecture, play personalities, and the creative process. Participants will discover the natural progression of sensory integration and active engagements. By examining play personalities participants will explore different types of play and dive into the neurological benefits of arts integration. There will be opportunities to discover your own play personality and create real-world strategies to employ creative processes within play curriculums.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development.
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/12/2025 08:30
to
Mila Sengupta
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Early Childhood Teachers, Administrators/Directors, Early Childhood Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
The goal of all discipline and social- emotional skill development in young children is to guide and support them to develop self- regulation. This training will help participants to understand what is self-regulation, factors that influence it, learn step-by-step guidance in empowering children to develop self-regulation and help children successfully apply it for self-expression and positive skill development.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance.
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/12/2025 08:30
to
Josh Thompson
Zlata Stanković-Ramirez
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: ALL.
Session Description:
Observation is one tool in our list of ways to know and understand children. Malaguzzi (1994) says “the environment that you build is based on the child you see in front of you”. Your image of the child, your own ideas about their abilities and competencies, informs your practice, shapes how you act around them, and directly influences how they act around you. Developmental Cascades is a new way of thinking about how children grow, flow, and develop.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/12/2025 08:30
to
John Robinson
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Administrators/Directors, Pre-K/K Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc), Early Childhood Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
Read and Rise Family Conversations empowers families to support early literacy from birth to age 8. This session equips staff with practical strategies to help families use storytelling, culture, and daily routines to build language and reading skills. Through interactive discussions, participants will learn to engage families as their child’s first teacher in fun, meaningful ways.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development
Administrators - Core Competency Area 6: Instituting Family and Community-Centered Programming.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies
06/12/2025 10:00
to
Natoya Carroll
Session Type: Live
Age Group: ALL.
Session Description:
This interactive training equips educators with strategies to engage families in school readiness. Aligned with Texas Core Competencies, it offers research-based practices to build strong partnerships that support children’s development. Designed for educators and leaders, the session includes real-world examples, reflective activities, and practical tools to foster inclusive and impactful family engagement in early learning settings.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 7: Family and Community Relationships.
Administrators - Core Competency Area 6: Instituting Family and Community-Centered Programming.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/12/2025 10:00
to
Amanda Winkler
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Administrators/Directors.
Session Description:
In this session the audience will discuss how to find the root cause of challenging behaviors in the classroom. Many times, as teachers, there is a push to get all the to-do’s finished. But, there is a delay or absence in responding to the little human needing their attention. Just as adults have needs at certain times, children are no different. Not normal necessity needs, but deep emotional needs. Connections, relationships, and a feeling of understanding.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development.
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/12/2025 10:00
to
Kim Venegas
Ashley Love
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K, K-Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Pre-K/K Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc),Early Childhood Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
Educators will learn to utilize the CLI Circle Vocabulary Collection to build students’ knowledge of academic vocabulary found within or related to any texts they are reading in their classroom. Educators will learn what “word consciousness” is and why teaching it to students can and will improve their interest and motivation in learning new words. Finally, educators will learn the systematic process to select the most impactful words to teach to their class and how to create their own vocabulary cards.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/12/2025 10:00
to
Angela Trevino
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K/K Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
Join us for a concise, one-hour overview of the essential skills included in phonological awareness. This session will help you understand what phonological awareness is, differentiate it from phonics, and learn how children develop these crucial skills. You'll also explore effective methods to teach phonological awareness in an engaging and practical way. Perfect for educators looking to quickly enhance their instructional strategies and support their students' literacy development.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/12/2025 10:00
to
Brandy Crumley
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Infant/Toddler Teachers, Administrators/Directors.
Session Description:
Introduction to best practices for hiring, staffing and retention of teaching staff in the early childhood education field.
Core Competency Area:
Administrators - Core Competency Area 2: Business and Operations Management.
CPE Strategy:
School Leadership & Administration.
06/12/2025 11:30
to
Nicci Carrington
Neatrice Russell
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Infant/Toddler Teachers.
Session Description:
In this training, participants will explore four challenging behaviors and reflect on how to implement positive strategies in the classroom.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development.
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/12/2025 11:30
to
Barbara Triplett
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Pre-K/K Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
Participants will have the opportunity to explore the 5 Ingredients of Active Learning as an approach to create hands-on, developmentally appropriate, and engaging lessons using any lesson plan to inform small group instruction. We will develop skills in planning for children to have their own materials, choice of materials, ability to manipulate through hands-on engagement, develop oral language through student voice and adult questioning strategies.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards.
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/12/2025 11:30
to
Linda Zhang
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Early Childhood Teachers, Early Childhood Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
This session explores the what, why, and how of an “All About Me” thematic unit that honors children’s diverse cultures and supports whole-child development. Educators will learn to design authentic, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate activities that promote social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical growth. Participants will engage in meaningful discussions and leave with adaptable tools and lesson ideas they can implement right away.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 1: Child Growth and Development.
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/13/2025 08:30
to
Allison Bell
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Pre-K/K Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers.
Session Description:
This dynamic virtual session introduces educators to the foundational principles of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Through engaging discussions, videos, and small-group scenario work, participants will explore how structure, clarity, and intentional praise help create classrooms where all students can thrive.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 2: Responsive Interactions and Guidance.
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/13/2025 08:30
to
Linda Zhang
Session Type: Live
Age Group: Pre-K, K-Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Administrators/Directors, Pre-K/K Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
Are you eager to build your confidence in supporting young children’s mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills? This session introduces a play-based approach to design math-rich classroom environments that nurture a positive mindset and spark joy in early math learning. Educators will explore hands-on strategies using everyday materials and child-led activities to promote numeracy, problem-solving, and collaboration. Participants will leave with practical tools and ideas for integrating math across learning centers in developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and engaging ways.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards.
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/13/2025 08:30
to
Kiara Araujo
Ashley Love
Session Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K, K-Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Pre-K/K Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc), Early Childhood (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc).
Session Description:
Educators will learn to host family education events that support family engagement for children in preschool to Grade 1, that empower parents to become key conversation partners in their child’s daily routines. Educators receive access to an English/Spanish set of materials for hosting family events that promote Strive for Five conversations, such as the “Talking is Teaching” family video. Educators will be provided a menu of 6 themes, activities, and sample facilitator scripts for explaining how to extend early learning at home using CLI-created materials and resources. Educators will learn to utilize these same materials to set up hands-on learning stations at their events to provide families with opportunities to practice guiding their child’s learning.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 7: Family and Community Relationships.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
06/13/2025 08:30
toSession Type: Pre-recorded
Age Group: Pre-K, K-Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Pre-K/K Specialists (Coaches, Mentors, Trainers, etc)
Session Description:
This webinar will describe how to access the open educational resources from the A'STEAM program, a hands-on afterschool STEM program for grades K-5 that was designed by the Children's Museum of Houston and evaluated by our team at CLI. Modules cover topics such as chemistry, aerodynamics, making, architecture, magnetism, astronomy, and earth & water. Suggestions for using and adapting these materials will be discussed.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 3: Learning Environments, Planning Framework, Curriculum, and Standards.
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies
06/13/2025 10:00
to
Dr. Susan Neuman
Professor of Childhood Education and Literacy Development, Steinhardt School, New York University
Session Type: Live
Age Group: ALL
Session Description:
This presentation explores how we can spark a love of reading by creating rich literacy experiences everywhere children are—both in and out of the classroom. It focuses on understanding the full range of skills children need to become successful readers. It encourages us to think more broadly about where literacy happens and how we can bring families into the conversation in meaningful, culturally responsive ways.
Core Competency Area:
Practitioners - Core Competency Area 4: Supporting Skill Development.
CPE Strategy:
Instructional Strategies.
Participants can earn 13 or more professional development (clock hours or CPEs) if they attend the full conference. Certificates are awarded through TECPDS for each session.
At the TSR Institute, attendees will find diverse sessions for early childhood professionals currently working in the classroom, leading schools and centers, and supporting other professionals through coaching and training. We strive for a unique mix of sessions sharing the latest research and evidence-based practice, with hands-on sessions that provide strategies and tools to implement immediately.
