Join us for the 2026 Michigan AEYC Upper Peninsula Conference in Marquette, Michigan, on Thursday, April 9 - Friday, April 10, 2026!
As Michigan AEYC transitions to hosting the Upper Peninsula Early Childhood Conference, our goal is to ensure this event remains accessible and responsive to the needs of the Upper Peninsula’s early childhood community.
Conference Experience:
- Five hours of engaging professional development
- SCECH credits available
- Continental breakfast and lunch included
- Attendance automatically recorded in MiRegistry
Register Today for the Michigan AEYC Upper Peninsula Conference in Marquette, Mchigan at North Center, Northen Michigan University
FREE Literacy Day of Learning
We are excited to partner with MAISA and MiLEAP to offer a FREE pre-conference Literacy Day of Learning on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
As a conference attendee, you may add this day to your registration at no additional cost and earn six additional training hours. We encourage you to take advantage of this in-depth literacy opportunity as we kick off the conference together.
Following the pre-conference training, we invite you to join us on Thursday evening for the Conference Welcome Reception at the Holiday Inn of Marquette from 6 pm - 8 pm. Cash bar, light refreshments, and appetizers will be available.
4 R’s To Radical Resilience: How To Thrive When the Work Feels Heavy
In the world of early childhood education, you’re not just shaping young minds—you’re supporting families, advocating for your teams, and navigating ever-changing systems. It’s deeply meaningful work… but it can also be exhausting, especially when resources are tight, expectations are high, and the future feels uncertain.
The good news? Resilience isn’t just something you’re born with—it’s something you can build.
In this uplifting, practical, and energizing keynote, Mimi Brown will guide you through how to refill your cup, reframe the challenges, and reignite your sense of purpose—without burning out in the process. This session is like a reset button for your mindset and your spirit.
Michigan AEYC Upper Peninsula Conference
Sessions
Infant Toddler Track:
From Screen Time to Green Time, Angela Porter
From Cuddles to Comprehension: Igniting Early Literacy Through Relationship-Based Practices for Infants and Toddlers, Kristen Carlson
Primary Caregiving with Purpose: Beyond Assignments, Toward Attachment, Meagan Guindon
Storytelling: How to be an Engaging, Imaginative, Animated Reader in an Early Childhood Classroom, Jasmine Jackson
Creating Treasure Baskets for Infants and Toddlers, Liz Colegrove
Preschool Track:
From Screen Time to Green Time, Angela Porter
Teaching Friendship Skills and Emotional Literacy Using Pyramid Model Practices, Alicia Lawlor
Teaching Self Regulation and Problem Solving Using Pyramid Model Practices, Alicia Lawlor
Rooted in Regulation: Supporting Attention and Learning through Nature-Based Play, Stephanie Vaughn
Storytelling: How to be an Engaging, Imaginative, Animated Reader in an Early Childhood Classroom, Jasmine Jackson
Visible Learning in Early Childhood, Lyndsay Carey
Benefits of Outdoor Play in ALL Weather, Andrea Smith
Joyful Math: Intentional Teaching Practices that Embed Math Learning Opportunities Throughout the Preschool Day, Lori Smolinski
Social-Emotional Track:
Promoting Self-Regulation Through Trauma Informed Practices in the Early Childhood Classroom, Melissa Copenhaver
Teaching Friendship Skills and Emotional Literacy Using Pyramid Model Practices, Alicia Lawlor
Teaching Self Regulation and Problem Solving Using Pyramid Model Practices, Alicia Lawlor
Rooted in Regulation: Supporting Attention and Learning through Nature-Based Play, Stephanie Vaughn
Visable Learning in Early Childhood, Lyndsay Carey
Community and Family Engagement Track:
Developing Trusing Relationships 2.0 - How to Nurture, Maintain and Rebuild Broken Trust in School-Family Partnerships, Taryn Francis
Building Strong Teacher-Family Partnerships, Melinda Coger
Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy, Sally Beauchamp
Professionalism Track:
Exploring Careers in Early Childhood Education, Melissa McClutchey
Everyday Advocacy: Strengthening Michigan's Early Childhood System from the UP and Beyond, Annette Sobocinski