Join the Iowa AEYC for the 2021 Virtual Early Learning Fall Institute on October 1-2!
The Iowa Early Learning Fall Institute brings together early childhood professionals from across the state for a unique professional development opportunity. We invite you to join us as we network, share, and learn together, virtually!
Event Details
Date and Location: October 1-2, 2021 | Virtual via Zoom
Registration Deadline: Monday, September 13 at 11:59 pm
Click here to view our workshop descriptions.
Click here to view the Institute program.
Click here to view our Fall Institute 2021 Information.
Cancellation Policy:
If you must cancel, refunds can be made if cancellation notice is received by September 13, 2021 by 5:00 pm. After September 13, absolutely no refunds can be given and all registered attendees must pay registration fees.
Friday Keynote Speaker - Manny Scott
The Power of One
Mr. Scott shares how he went from a 0.6 GPA and a high school dropout to a Ph.D. student, husband, father, pilot, and public servant. This presentation reminds leaders that even on their worst days, they can be someone’s best hope.
Click here to learn more about Manny Scott!
Saturday Keynote Speaker - Lisa Murphy
What If Today Was Their Only Day?
In this motivational keynote address Lisa shares the powerful story of her first day of school. Through active and engaging storytelling Lisa brings you back to her first day, taking you on a grand tour of Miss Mary’s Nursery School. And, in the style she has become famous for, she shares many observations, lessons and anecdotes about how early childhood has changed along the way. Lisa will share the sights sounds and smells of the place where, at the young age of three, she decided to become a teacher and identifies the how, and why, that one day solidified her decision to become an educator. This inspiring keynote gets participants back in touch with their personal how and why. It gets them excited and gets them thinking: If it WAS their only day, what will they remember?
Click here to learn more about Lisa Murphy!
Institute Schedule
All Institute sessions will take place live online via Zoom. Attendees will select the sessions they will attend during registration. Zoom links to join the sessions will be sent via email prior to the Institute.
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Content |
| Friday, October 1 | 8:00 am | 8:45 am | Optional Networking Sessions |
| 9:00 am | 10:00 am | Welcome + Awards + Keynote | |
| 10:00 am | 10:15 am | Break | |
| 10:15 am | 11:45 am | Workshop Sessions | |
| 11:45 am | 12:45 pm | Lunch Break | |
| 12:45 pm | 2:15 pm | Workshop Sessions | |
| 2:15 pm | 2:30 pm | Break | |
| 2:30 pm | 4:00 pm | Workshop Sessions | |
| 4:15 pm | 5:45 pm | Iowa AEYC Member Meeting | |
| Saturday, October 2 | 8:00 am | 8:45 am | Optional Networking Sessions |
| 9:00 am | 10:45 am | Welcome + Awards + Keynote | |
| 10:45 am | 11:00 am | Break | |
| 11:00 am | 12:30 pm | Workshop Sessions | |
| 12:30 pm | 1:30 pm | Lunch Break | |
| 1:30 pm | 3:00 pm | Workshop Sessions | |
| 3:00 pm | 3:15 pm | Break | |
| 3:15 pm | 4:45 pm | Workshop Sessions | |
Institute Partners and Corporate Sponsors
Thank you to our Partners and Corporate Sponsors of the Early Learning Fall Institute for their support of this event!
Institute Partners
Gold Sponsor Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors Star Sponsors
Networking Sessions
Optional networking sessions will be offered on both Friday and Saturday of the Institute. All attendees are welcome to attend, no registration required. Zoom links to join the sessions will be shared prior to the Institute.
Friday, October 1 | 8:00 am - 8:45 am
Option 1: Director Discussion
Join us for a candid discussion with childcare directors from across the state to discuss the challenges, strategies and successes around the most current hot topics, staffing and self-care!
Facilitators: Bethany Davis, Miranda Niemi, Heidi LaBounty, and Erika Fuentes
Option 2: Getting Through the Hard Times: Conversations about being a trauma informed early childhood educator
The last year has been difficult for everybody. Come take some time to have open conversation about what it means to be a trauma informed educator. We will talk about some of the signs of trauma and the long term effects trauma has on brain development. We will also consider the importance of first assuring you take care of yourself to better care for the little ones entrusted to you everyday.
Facilitator: Brandy Smith
Saturday, October 2 | 8:00 am - 8:45 am
Option 1: Family Child Care Chat
Join us for a candid discussion with family child care providers from across the state to discuss the next steps for family child care and how we can better support each other.
Family child care providers from across the state will facilitate this discussion
Option 2: Family Engagement Networking
Join us for an interactive discussion, share and learn of tried and true family engagement methods promoting parent partnerships and successful child outcomes within varied settings and diverse people.
Facilitator: Crystal Abbe
I-PoWeR (DHS Child Care Training Registry):
If you are a participant in the DHS Workforce Registry, please make sure to enroll through I-PoWeR by September 17 so that Iowa AEYC can process your enrollment for each session of the Institute you attend.
To receive your certificate, you must also complete the post event survey. Training credit will not be authorized to call-in only participants. Certificates will be emailed to paid participants who attended the Institute and completed the post-event survey approximately four weeks after the Institute.
Please note:
Friday - 5.25 credit hours available
Saturday - 6.0 credit hours available
NAC Renewal Credit
All workshops are approved for NAC credit.
License Renewal Option
Northwestern College is offering one license renewal credit to licensed teachers who attend the Fall Institute and complete required follow up activities.
To be eligible for the credit, you will:
Workshop Flyers
Over 40 workshops will be offered this year at the Virtual Early Learning Fall Institute! We are excited to offer a wide variety of content just for YOU! View workshop and networking sessions that will be offered at the Fall Institute that pertain to you based on your job role below.
