Teaching Learning Institute

 

The young children in your classroom are growing up in a world that is constantly evolving, shaped by new challenges, advanced technology, and careers that have yet to be imagined. How can we best prepare them to adapt, explore opportunities, and develop innovative problem-solving skills? This keynote will explore how children learn in a constructivist environment and how you can enrich your classroom to inspire creativity, nurture unique ideas, and celebrate their discoveries. By integrating the 4C’s - communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking - into daily learning experiences, you will create an environment where both you and your students thrive.
 

Research-based Ramps and Pathways activities provide young children with hands-on opportunities to explore force, motion, and engineering through play. Using cove molding, rolling objects, and blocks, children naturally investigate the concept of slope, refining their ideas through experimentation. As they collaborate, they develop critical thinking, problem- solving, and spatial reasoning skills while building a strong foundation for scientific inquiry and engineering design. This hands-on session will provide strategies to extend and support these discoveries, ensuring that play remains a powerful tool for innovation and deeper learning.

 

About Sonia: Sonia Akiko Yoshizawa, PhD, is the Assistant Director and Pedagogista at a Reggio-inspired preschool in Southern California. With over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, she brings a wealth of expertise in constructivist learning and research-based practice. Dr. Yoshizawa earned her PhD in Early Childhood Education from East Tennessee State University, where her work was influenced by Dr. Rebecca Isbell, a leader in early childhood creativity and advocacy. She holds a MAE from University of Northern Iowa, where her foundation and philosophy were shaped by Piagetian scholar Dr. Rheta DeVries and her colleagues.

 

Dr. Yoshizawa has co-authored three books: Nurturing Creativity: An Essential Mindset for Young Children’s Learning (NAEYC), STEM Learning with Young Children: Inquiry Teaching with Ramps and Pathways (Teachers College Press), and Investigating STEM with Infants and Toddlers (Teachers College Press). In addition to her current leadership role, she has taught at state universities and presents nationally and internationally on inspiring topics related to creativity, learning environments, STEAM, and early childhood inquiry.

Illuminating Pedagogy: A Case Study in Pedagogical Documentation
Follow a year-long research project from a Reggio-inspired atelier from initial spark to year-end exhibition. Reframing our understandings of what documentation is, we will explore the thinking processes of a teacher researcher as they partner alongside children, transforming curiosity into complex, long-term investigations. Participants will gain insight into the role of the educator in interpreting children's thinking and how those interpretations propel a project forward. Presented by: Crystal Lucha, St. Michael's Episcopal School, Austin, TX

Nature Learning & the Outdoor Classroom
Do you want to know more about how intentionally designed outdoor classrooms support whole child learning? Learn about our multi-year process of reorganizing and adding materials to create more than 12 distinct areas on our playground, and become certified by Nature Explore, a non-profit that promotes nature learning. This session will include the why behind nature learning, how time outdoors with natural materials leads to better learning outcomes for students across all domains, as well as practical tips for storage, organization, and activities to get started. Presented by: Gigi Khalsa, All Saints' Episcopal School, Austin, TX

Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood
You’ve heard about lots of different practices— Reggio, Montessori, Project Approach, among many others! How can we combine research-based approaches, developmentally appropriate practices, and academic milestones that need to be reached? Join me for a deep dive into having fun in early childhood while authentically incorporating skill development. We’ll be creating plans for your class or grade level and equipping you with the tools to continue learning and growing in your field while building on your experience! 

Hearts and Hands-On: A Facilitated Discussion on Managing Special Events, Centers, and Daily Transitions
Join your fellow early childhood educators for an interactive roundtable centered on the practical "rhythms" that define our school days. This collaborative session moves beyond traditional lectures to crowdsource wisdom on balancing high-energy special events, perfecting center rotations, and the essential art of restful transitions. Whether you are looking for a fresh perspective on classroom logistics or have a successful strategy to share, come prepared to engage in a supportive, peer-led dialogue that celebrates the intentionality of our daily work.

 

Little Hands, Big Impact: Connecting Service Learning with the Classroom
Discover how meaningful service learning can deepen student understanding and bring classroom lessons to life. This session explores practical ways to connect academic content with real-world impact through service projects and field experiences. By leaning into our Episcopal Identity, even young students can engage in purposeful work that builds empathy, reinforces curriculum, and fosters a sense of community.  Through examples like a fairytale unit that led to a book drive for underserved children, participants will gain ideas and strategies to design age-appropriate, impactful projects that align with learning goals. Walk away with inspiration and tools to help your students make a difference—no matter how small their hands may be. Presented by: Sarah Kates, St. Lukes Episcopal School, San Antonio, TX

Beaded Together: PBL and Community Outreach 
Discover how a 2nd grade Project-Based Learning economics unit turns students into young entrepreneurs through a student-run bracelet store. In this session, you’ll see how giving students choice in how they show their learning builds ownership, creativity, and real-world problem solving. Learn how partnerships with members of our school community expand learning beyond integrated academics into authentic financial literacy. Walk away with ideas for connecting classroom projects to community service and meaningful real-life experiences for lower school learners. Presented by: Sari Weller, St. Luke's Episcopal School, San Antonio, TX

Differentiation in ELAR: Meeting Every Reader Where They Are
This session will focus on maximizing instructional time during ELAR by creating a balanced and engaging reading block. Participants will explore strategies for effectively managing small groups while keeping the rest of the class meaningfully engaged through purposeful activities such as phonics games, independent reading, and hands-on literacy centers. We will also discuss how exciting units of study can spark curiosity and help cultivate a genuine love of reading in young learners. Presented by: Lilly Ray, St. Luke's Episcopal School, San Antonio, TX

Building Strong Math Problem Solvers (Grades K–2)
This professional development session focuses on strengthening math problem-solving instruction in grades K–2 by emphasizing conceptual understanding, student thinking, and meaningful discourse. Teachers will explore how problem-solving skills develop across grade levels, from concrete modeling in kindergarten to multi-step reasoning and justification. The session highlights instructional strategies, classroom practices, and teacher moves that support productive struggle and flexible thinking. By the end of the session, participants will leave with practical tools and grade-specific insights to help students become confident and capable problem solvers. Presented by: Catherine Perkins, St. Luke's Episcopal School, San Antonio, TX

Illuminating Pedagogy: A Case Study in Pedagogical Documentation
Follow a year-long research project from a Reggio-inspired atelier from initial spark to year-end exhibition. Reframing our understandings of what documentation is, we will explore the thinking processes of a teacher researcher as they partner alongside children, transforming curiosity into complex, long-term investigations. Participants will gain insight into the role of the educator in interpreting children's thinking and how those interpretations propel a project forward. Presented by: Crystal Lucha, St. Michael's Episcopal School, Austin, TX

Nature Learning & the Outdoor Classroom
Do you want to know more about how intentionally designed outdoor classrooms support whole child learning? Learn about our multi-year process of reorganizing and adding materials to create more than 12 distinct areas on our playground, and become certified by Nature Explore, a non-profit that promotes nature learning. This session will include the why behind nature learning, how time outdoors with natural materials leads to better learning outcomes for students across all domains, as well as practical tips for storage, organization, and activities to get started. Presented by: Gigi Khalsa, All Saints' Episcopal School, Austin, TX

Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood
You’ve heard about lots of different practices— Reggio, Montessori, Project Approach, among many others! How can we combine research-based approaches, developmentally appropriate practices, and academic milestones that need to be reached? Join me for a deep dive into having fun in early childhood while authentically incorporating skill development. We’ll be creating plans for your class or grade level and equipping you with the tools to continue learning and growing in your field while building on your experience! 

Hearts and Hands-On: A Facilitated Discussion on Managing Special Events, Centers, and Daily Transitions
Join your fellow early childhood educators for an interactive roundtable centered on the practical "rhythms" that define our school days. This collaborative session moves beyond traditional lectures to crowdsource wisdom on balancing high-energy special events, perfecting center rotations, and the essential art of restful transitions. Whether you are looking for a fresh perspective on classroom logistics or have a successful strategy to share, come prepared to engage in a supportive, peer-led dialogue that celebrates the intentionality of our daily work.

 

Little Hands, Big Impact: Connecting Service Learning with the Classroom
Discover how meaningful service learning can deepen student understanding and bring classroom lessons to life. This session explores practical ways to connect academic content with real-world impact through service projects and field experiences. By leaning into our Episcopal Identity, even young students can engage in purposeful work that builds empathy, reinforces curriculum, and fosters a sense of community.  Through examples like a fairytale unit that led to a book drive for underserved children, participants will gain ideas and strategies to design age-appropriate, impactful projects that align with learning goals. Walk away with inspiration and tools to help your students make a difference—no matter how small their hands may be. Presented by: Sarah Kates, St. Lukes Episcopal School, San Antonio, TX

Beaded Together: PBL and Community Outreach 
Discover how a 2nd grade Project-Based Learning economics unit turns students into young entrepreneurs through a student-run bracelet store. In this session, you’ll see how giving students choice in how they show their learning builds ownership, creativity, and real-world problem solving. Learn how partnerships with members of our school community expand learning beyond integrated academics into authentic financial literacy. Walk away with ideas for connecting classroom projects to community service and meaningful real-life experiences for lower school learners. Presented by: Sari Weller, St. Luke's Episcopal School, San Antonio, TX

Differentiation in ELAR: Meeting Every Reader Where They Are
This session will focus on maximizing instructional time during ELAR by creating a balanced and engaging reading block. Participants will explore strategies for effectively managing small groups while keeping the rest of the class meaningfully engaged through purposeful activities such as phonics games, independent reading, and hands-on literacy centers. We will also discuss how exciting units of study can spark curiosity and help cultivate a genuine love of reading in young learners. Presented by: Lilly Ray, St. Luke's Episcopal School, San Antonio, TX

Building Strong Math Problem Solvers (Grades K–2)
This professional development session focuses on strengthening math problem-solving instruction in grades K–2 by emphasizing conceptual understanding, student thinking, and meaningful discourse. Teachers will explore how problem-solving skills develop across grade levels, from concrete modeling in kindergarten to multi-step reasoning and justification. The session highlights instructional strategies, classroom practices, and teacher moves that support productive struggle and flexible thinking. By the end of the session, participants will leave with practical tools and grade-specific insights to help students become confident and capable problem solvers. Presented by: Catherine Perkins, St. Luke's Episcopal School, San Antonio, TX