Expert Voices

    The Expert Voices series showcases outstanding instructional practices to help early childhood educators deepen children’s learning. 

    These professional development sessions give early educators the opportunity to:

    Learn from Experts

    Through the Expert Voices series, early learning experts share research-backed insights and practical strategies with Indiana’s educators and leaders, helping strengthen quality across classrooms and programs.

    Build Connections

    Expert Voices offers participants a chance to connect with early educators and leaders from across Indiana—sharing ideas, asking questions and building a stronger early learning community together.

    Receive Classroom Supplies

    Participants also receive classroom supplies aligned with the session’s topic - hands-on materials they can take back and use right away. These tools are carefully selected to help improve the quality of interactions with children, enhance learning environments and maximize learning outcomes, turning insight into action.
    "I really enjoyed the Play, Talk, Read event. I enjoyed having the opportunity to view other facilities, and hear from other educators. I’m looking forward to being a part of a bigger network in this industry where I can hear about learning opportunities from others, too."
    Lauren Perin
    Director of My Bright Beginnings Preschool and Daycare in Rushville, Indiana​

    Previous sessions have included

    • Exploring Numeracy: A Mathematical Journey for Infants to PreK Children, presented by Dr. Ryan Flessner, professor at Butler University College of Education
    • Play, Talk, Read: Nurturing Early Literacy Through Language and Print-Rich Environments, presented by Charity Coppola, LENA coordinator, and Rachel George, director of educator development at Early Learning Indiana
    • Unlocking Health and Wellness Strategies for Young Children, a two-part series of From Yuck to Yum and Building Bright Smiles, presented by Emily Jarboe, director of health and safety at Early Learning Indiana
    • Falling in Love with Books, presented by Dr. Susan Adamson, professor at Butler University College of Education

    Previous sessions have included

    Exploring Numeracy: A Mathematical Journey for Infants to PreK Children

    Presented by Dr. Ryan Flessner, professor at Butler University College of Education

    During this interactive, in-person session, participants explored the key components of promoting numeracy skills in young learners (infants–Pre-K), were immersed in hands-on and experiential strategies, and left equipped with valuable knowledge about how to design learning environments that effectively supported children’s mathematical development.

    Play, Talk, Read: Nurturing Early Literacy Through Language and Print-Rich Environments

    Presented by Charity Coppola, LENA coordinator, and Rachel George, director of educator development at Early Learning Indiana

    This interactive, in-person session explored how early childhood educators could create engaging, language-rich, and print-rich environments that support foundational literacy development. Through practical strategies, hands-on activities, and real-life examples, participants learned how to intentionally use play, conversation, storytelling, and environmental print to promote children’s language growth, emergent reading, and writing skills.

    Unlocking Health and Wellness Strategies for Young Children, a two-part series of From Yuck to Yum and Building Bright Smiles

    Presented by Emily Jarboe, director of health and safety at Early Learning Indiana

    This was a virtual two-part session. The first part explored strategies to help children overcome barriers to trying new foods and encouraged meaningful food exploration, while the second part focused on promoting early childhood oral health and supporting school readiness and healthy development.

    Falling in Love with Books

    Presented by Dr. Susan Adamson, professor at Butler University College of Education

    This interactive workshop explored ways to support early literacy learning that nurtured children’s literate identities, language skills, intellect, and joy. Participants received 5–10 children’s books, art supplies for book making, and materials to create art explorations in their classrooms (valued at $250). Best of all, the event was free!

    Sign up to recieve upcoming expert Voices Information

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What do I earn for participating in an Expert Voices Session?

    When all requirements are met, participants will receive a certificate of participation that identifies the Child Development Associate (CDA) and/or Core Knowledge and Competencies (CKC) standards that were met during the three-hour professional development session.

    Participants will receive a set of classroom materials and resources that reflect the materials demonstrated during the presentation with the subject matter expert to allow them to return to the classroom and immediately develop learning experiences for children. 

    What is the format for Expert Voices?

    Expert Voices sessions are available in the following formats:   

    • In-person (180 minutes long) 
    • Virtual/Online – Synchronous – 2-part series (each 90 minutes long) 
    • Virtual/Online – Synchronous – 3-part series (each 60 minutes long)
    How do I sign up for an upcoming Expert Voices session?

    Sign up for sessions typically opens six weeks prior to the event.  If you are interested in joining a future session, fill out the interest form.