Mission:

Our mission is to elevate the early childhood profession through programming that is innovative, responsive, and informed by practice, applied research, and community and policy engagement.

Vision:

We envision a world positively transformed by the impact of the early childhood profession on the lives of children and families

Values:

• Access
• Excellence
• Innovation
• Equity 

Leadership Connections is designed for individuals and organizations across the country and around the world who are committed to advancing the field of early childhood education through leadership, including: 

• administrators and directors
• coaches
• consultants
• higher education instructors
• policymakers
• program owners/business owners
• researchers
• technical assistance specialists
• trainers
• family childcare professionals

These professionals work in all sectors of the field, including advocacy and government organizations, community-based child care, Early Head Start and Head Start, home-based programs, independent and corporate-sponsored programs, military child care programs, state-sponsored preschool, and training and technical assistance organizations.

The subject matter of the conference workshop sessions is aligned with the three domains of Whole Leadership, a framework developed at the McCormick Center. Proposals should indicate which of the three Whole Leadership domains most closely aligns with the content of the session.

• Administrative Leadership: Coordinating work and mobilizing people to ensure the organization remains stable and continues to grow; inclusive of operational leadership, strategic leadership, advocacy leadership, and community leadership. Session subject matter may include but is not limited to: community engagement, strategic planning, organizational climate, financial planning, systems development, team-building, public relations, and marketing.

• Pedagogical Leadership: Leading the art and science of teaching with an emphasis on educator dispositions and high-quality interactions with children. This includes family engagements, instructional leadership, and ensuring fidelity to curricular philosophy, assessing children’s development and learning, using data for evaluation, and optimizing learning environments. Session subject matter may include, but is not limited to: instructional leadership, family engagement, coaching and mentoring skills, child development, adult learning, and assessment.

• Leadership Essentials: Foundational competencies and individual qualities necessary for leading people that are expressed in personal leadership styles and dispositions: personal attributes of self-efficacy, empathy, creativity, authenticity, humility, transparency, adaptability, and learner. Session subject matter may include, but is not limited to: reflective practice, self-awareness, mindfulness, communication, motivation of self and others, and ethics.

WORKSHOP SESSION FORMAT

The 2025 conference sessions will be 90 minutes or 3 hours delivered in person. Presenters are encouraged to incorporate tools to engage the audience. Bilingual, English-only, and Spanish-only sessions are welcomed.

We are excited to announce the second annual FCC Summit! If you believe your session aligns best with the FCC Summit portion of our conference, you will have the opportunity to indicate this within the application.

SELECTION CRITERIA

 You are welcome to submit multiple proposals for the 2025 conference. Submissions will be evaluated on the following criteria: 

1.  Leadership Focus: Addresses leadership over management skills, is beneficial for program administrators or early childhood leaders, and aligns with the Whole Leadership Framework.

2.  Relevance to Critical Issues Facing the Field: Relevant and applicable for leaders in early childhood education (birth through 3rd grade age range); explicitly addresses challenges or critical issues facing the field. 

3.  Connection to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Addresses diversity, equity,  inclusion, and belonging issues to expand knowledge and ability to take action.

4.  Research-based Content: Content is based on research evidence and/or respected theories.

5.  Innovation: Presents original and forward-looking concepts or practices;  demonstrates clear value to early childhood leadership. 

6.  Adult Learning Methods: Incorporates adult learning methods to engage participants and includes interactive facilitation.

7.  Presenter Qualifications: The presenter is a subject-matter expert for the session topic.

8.  Professional Impression: Demonstrates professional competence in writing, communication, and formatting.

9.  Feasibility: Content is appropriately feasible for the time allocated and for an in-person session.

Please note: Sessions previously presented at Leadership Connections will not be accepted.

Selection Process: Reviewers evaluate each session (workshop) based on a scoring rubric.

PRESENTER REGISTRATION  

Each workshop session will be limited to two presenters. One presenter will receive complimentary full-conference registration. 

PROMOTING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

The focus of workshop sessions is to inspire early childhood leaders and inform participants of best practices in early childhood leadership. If you wish to feature or sell books, resources, and/or other services at the conference, you must do so as an exhibitor.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

January 3, 2025, 11:59 PM, CDT.  

DOWNLOAD SUBMISSION QUESTIONS

To assist you in completing the RFP, we have created a PDF with the questions asked in the RFP. If you prefer, you may download the PDF, prepare your submission, and then log in to complete and submit your RFP by cutting and pasting your responses. NOTE: You will not be able to upload the PDF. Your answers must be made in the actual RFP to be accepted. Download PDF   

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