July 13-16, 2023
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Big Skills for Little Brains:

Nurturing Executive Function in the Early Childhood Classroom

Held July 13-16, 2023
Now Available for Replay Access

Join Vanessa Levin, 18 early childhood experts, and a community of your fellow superhero kindergarten and pre-K teachers for an inspiring online 4-day deep dive into executive function in the early childhood classroom.

When chaos is the uninvited guest in your classroom...

Picture this: It’s Tuesday morning, and you’re waiting for your students to arrive. “Bring on the day!” you think as you sip the still-hot coffee in your #1 Teacher mug.

As your little learners trickle in, you anticipate an engaging day of teaching—but it’s almost like your darling students have other plans.

Interruptions. Blurting. Wandering. Meltdowns over lost red crayons. And that’s just morning circle time!

All day, you find yourself playing whack-a-mole with disruptive behaviors.

You wish you could spend more time teaching, and less time putting out fires…but let's face it, this isn't an isolated Tuesday issue. It’s an ongoing challenge that seems to haunt you on every day ending in -y, and it appears to be getting worse with each passing year.

What’s it going to take to swap your firefighter’s hat for your superhero cape—for good?

Actually, there’s a powerful set of skills you can help your students develop—and they make all the difference

Suit up, teacher superhero! The solution lies within your little learners’ brains: executive functioning skills! These mighty skills allow children to manage their thoughts, actions, and emotions.

Think of executive functioning skills like air traffic control at a very busy airport. The controllers in the tower manage multiple arrivals, departures, and runways. To do that, they must focus, filter distraction, switch from task to task, follow multi-step directions, plan ahead, prioritize, and so much more.

Now imagine what would happen without the controllers.
Airplanes could crash, never leave the ground, or circle the runway endlessly.

And while that’s a dire analogy…as their teacher, you play a critical role in helping your students develop the executive functioning skills that help them soar to success!

You know what’s even better? As your students develop these skills, their behavior will improve. You’ll face fewer disruptions, and your students will be able to learn more easily!

Fact: Executive functioning skills unlock children’s ability to learn academic skills quickly, easily, efficiently

But there’s a problem:

As you know, the modern education system ruthlessly focuses on standards, high-stakes testing, and academic scorecards...

...So executive functioning skills are typically overlooked and under-supported by administrators and parents who are anxious about meeting district learning requirements and showing progress toward learning goals.

But if superhero teachers like you can show them how strong executive functioning unlocks the ability to learn academics, we can start to turn the tide.

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That's why you need the 2023 Soar to Success Summit—100% Online

The theme for this year’s online Soar to Success Summit was Big Skills for Little Brains: Nurturing Executive Function in the Early Childhood Classroom!

When you get extended access to this online event, you’ll get:

  • Up-to-date information on current research-based practices in behavior and executive function
  • Practical insights you can take back to your classroom right away
  •  Confidence that you’re doing what’s best for your students

The Summit is jam-packed with new and proven teaching techniques you can start using immediately in your classroom…and there is 0% fluff, filler, or fooling around. Everything you hear will be directly relevant to you as a kindergarten or pre-K teacher.

Discover how to unleash the power of executive functioning skills in your classroom

Get ready to transform your classroom! During the Soar to Success Summit, our experts will share their insights and strategies to help you effectively nurture executive functioning skills in your students.

Say goodbye to those classroom disruptions, and hello to a more focused, engaged learning environment!

The Summit takes place completely online. When you join us, you’ll learn:

  • Proven strategies for seamlessly integrating executive functioning skills into your existing curriculum
  • Techniques to help students self-regulate, focus, and problem-solve, leading to fewer disruptions
  • How to advocate for a balanced approach to academics and executive functioning skills in your district
  • Tips to create a supportive, inclusive classroom environment that fosters the development of these critical skills

With the guidance and expertise from the Soar to Success Summit, you'll not only improve your students' executive functioning skills but also create a classroom where every little superhero can thrive.

Meet Your Superhero Lineup of Speakers and Early Childhood Education Experts

We hand-picked our speakers based on their distinct expertise and experience with early childhood education. Their presentations will leave you equipped with science-backed strategies, tips, and techniques.

Soar-to-success-speaker-Dan-St-Romain

Dan St. Romain

Educational Consultant and Author

soar-to-success-summit-speaker-giselle-shardlow

Giselle Shardlow

Founder, Kids Yoga Stories

soar-to-success-speaker-jocelyn-Manzanarez

Jocelyn Manzanarez

Circle Time Success Coach

Soar-to-Success-Summit-Speaker-Nicole-Fravel

Nicole Dravillas Fravel

Founder, Wildwood Teaching

soar to success summit speaker shannon mccartney

Shannon McCartney

Founder and CEO, Strategic Intervention Solutions

soar-to-success-speaker-carolyn-bobb-green

Dr. Carolyn Bobb-Green

Early Childhood Expert

soar-to-success-summit-speakers-andrea-ford-carolynne-masson

Andrea Ford & Carolynne Masson

Directors, Ready 4 Learning

soar-to-success-summit-speaker-ron-schuali

Ron Shuali, M.Ed.

ECE Gardener

Soar to Success Summit Speaker Jo Mascorro

Jo Mascorro

National Speaker, Trainer

soar to success summit speaker melissa leach

Melissa Leach

Lead Staff Developer and Owner, Leach Literacy Training

Soar to Success Summit Speaker Dr Cindy Lee

Dr. Cindy Lee

ECSE Master Consultant

Soar to Success Summit Speaker Elizabeth Peterson

Elizabeth Peterson

Teacher, Author, Creator of SEAL

Soar to Success Summit Speaker Linda Hamilton

Linda Hamilton

Educator Consultant

Emily Millspaugh

Emily Lucille Millspaugh, M.Ed

Pre-K Teacher

Soar to Success Summit Speaker Jodie Rodriguez

Jodie Rodriguez

Founder, Growing Book by Book

Soar to Success Summit Speaker Cynthia Long

Cynthia Long

Nationally Certified ASL Interpreter, Founder of ASL Teaching Resources

Soar to Success Summit Speaker Prerna Richards

Prerna Richards

CEO & Founder, Together We Grow

Vanessa-2022

Vanessa Levin

Curriculum Developer and Founder, Teaching Trailblazers

Daily Schedule

Day 1

Soar-to-success-speaker-Dan-St-Romain

Dan St. Romain
Educational Consultant

Pawsitive Lessons: Unlocking Better Behavior Through Puppy Training Insights

Does the secret to better behavior in the classroom lie with understanding…puppies? Join Dan as he captivates you with delightful storytelling that explores this fascinating connection. Discover how to uncover the true needs of your students to better foster executive functioning skills.

Vanessa-2022

Vanessa Levin
Curriculum Developer and Founder, Teaching Trailblazers

Small Hands, Big Potential: Using Fingerplays to Foster Executive Function in Young Children

Are fingerplays a thing of the past? Heck no! Join Vanessa as she reveals the surprising power of fingerplays for nurturing young children's executive function skills. You'll leave inspired and eager to add fingerplays to your day, equipped with a simple, step-by-step plan to get started.

soar-to-success-summit-speaker-giselle-shardlow

Giselle Shardlow
Founder, Kids Yoga Stories

Breathing to Behave: How Yoga Can Help Young Children Regulate Emotions in the Classroom

Join Giselle as she leads you, step by step, through introducing yoga in your classroom. Whether you’re looking for breathing exercises, stretching, or more—this session has you covered! Create a calmer classroom with simple yet effective techniques!

soar-to-success-speaker-jocelyn-Manzanarez

Jocelyn Manzanarez
Circle Time Success Coach

Rhythm and Brains: Fine-Tuning Young Minds with the Power of Music!

In the early childhood classroom, music is so much more than music—it’s a strategy and a vehicle for teaching the whole child. Jocelyn will show you how to integrate music into every part of your day for better focus, behavior, and brain development.

Soar-to-Success-Summit-Speaker-Nicole-Fravel

Nicole Dravillas Fravel
Founder, Wildwood Teaching

Nature's Classroom: Boosting Behavior and Executive Function Skills—Outdoors!

Venture into the great outdoors with Nicole as she uncovers the hidden potential of nature to improve preschoolers' learning and behavior. Find out how to bring the benefits of the outdoors to your students—even without a perfect setting or access to a forest!

Day 2

soar to success summit speaker shannon mccartney

Shannon McCartney
Founder and CEO, Strategic Intervention Solutions

Stimulate to Educate: Sensory Paths to Self-Regulation in Early Childhood

How do you help easily-distracted, impulsive, and wiggly students develop those all-important self regulation skills? Targeted sensory input! Join Shannon and discover how to use everyday objects like painter’s tape, play-doh, and pennies to give your kids’ brains what they need to refocus.

soar-to-success-speaker-carolyn-bobb-green

Dr. Carolyn Bobb-Green
Early Childhood Expert

Brain Boosters: Igniting Executive Function Skills in Infants and Toddlers

Spark the untapped potential of your littlest learners' minds! Join Dr. Bobb-Green as she unveils the secrets to nurturing executive function skills in infants and toddlers. Discover what truly makes a difference, and which pitfalls to avoid on their journey to cognitive growth.

soar-to-success-summit-speakers-andrea-ford-carolynne-masson

Andrea Ford & Carolynne Masson
Directors, Ready 4 Learning

Playful Power: Unleashing the Brain-Building Potential of Fun in Early Learning

The world may feel drastically different than it did 10-20 years ago—but young children’s needs haven’t changed that much. Experts Andrea & Carolynne reveal the timeless secret that nurtures young minds and executive function skills. Join our dynamic duo from Down Under and get inspired!

soar-to-success-summit-speaker-ron-schuali

Ron Shuali, M.Ed.
ECE Gardener

ADHD and Executive Function: Understanding and Supporting Children's Unique Needs

Ever wonder how the mind of a child with ADHD works? Ron Shuali channels his own experiences and illuminates the unique minds of neurodivergent children. This session is filled with a-ha moments and practical strategies so you can support your students with ADHD.

Day 3

Soar to Success Summit Speaker Jo Mascorro

Jo Mascorro
National Speaker, Trainer

Extreme Behaviors + The Brain-Based Strategies that Can Help You Navigate the Storm

What can you do when extreme behaviors in your classroom become dangerous? Jo will reveal what's happening in children's brains when they act out, tell you how to avoid the pitfalls that make things worse, and give you effective strategies for calming the storm.

soar to success summit speaker melissa leach

Melissa Leach
Lead Staff Developer and Owner, Leach Literacy Training

The Missing Puzzle Piece that Turns Center Time into an Executive Function Skills Powerhouse!

Join the ever-engaging Melissa Leach as she unveils the one change you can make to your center time that will help your little learners develop stronger executive function skills. You'll learn practical strategies you can use right away to help your kids be more successful.

Soar to Success Summit Speaker Dr Cindy Lee

Dr. Cindy Lee
ECSE Master Consultant

Pretend Play Opens the Door to a World of Executive Function Growth

Is little Susie running a lemonade stand...or is she learning important executive functioning skills like taking turns and flexibility? Yes! Dr. Cindy Lee will show you how pretend (or dramatic) play gives students authentic opportunities to learn success skills for life.

Soar to Success Summit Speaker Elizabeth Peterson

Elizabeth Peterson
Teacher, Author, Creator of SEAL

A Palette Full of Potential: Unlocking Executive Function through Art

Could process art be the key to unlocking executive functioning skills? Let Elizabeth show you how the arts nurture executive functioning skills, improve behavior, and help your students thrive! You’ll also get practical strategies to seamlessly integrate the arts into your classroom.

Day 4

Soar to Success Summit Speaker Linda Hamilton

Linda Hamilton
Educator Consultant

Taming Little Impulses: Fostering Impulse Control for Life-long Success

Tired of all the hitting, snatching, and shouting in your classroom? Linda will walk you through the brain research behind these impulsive behaviors. You’ll discover research-backed strategies to nurture impulse control, and set your students up for school and life success.

Emily Millspaugh

Emily Lucille Millspaugh, M.Ed
Pre-K Teacher

Empowering Parents to Improve Their Child's Executive Function Skills at Home

Strengthen your students' executive function skills by engaging their first teachers: their parents! Emily will share practical tips for effective home-school collaboration. When you empower parents, you nurture a positive partnership that paves the way for lasting success.

Soar to Success Summit Speaker Jodie Rodriguez

Jodie Rodriguez
Founder, Growing Book by Book

Building Brains Through Books: Read-Alouds for Executive Function and Better Behavior

What if you could help your little learners with problem-solving, attention span, impulse control, working memory, and more…with just 10 new picture books? Join Jodie to discover what these amazing books are, and how to use them during read aloud to nurture executive function.

Soar to Success Summit Speaker Cynthia Long

Cynthia Long
Nationally Certified ASL Interpreter, Founder of ASL Teaching Resources

Sign and Shine: Enhance Executive Function Skills through ASL in Your Classroom

You've seen some parents teach their babies the words for “more” and “thank you” in American Sign Language (ASL). But signing doesn’t just help pre-verbal communication—it helps enhance executive function skills and improve behavior. Expert ASL interpreter Cynthia will show you how.

Soar to Success Summit Speaker Prerna Richards

Prerna Richards
CEO & Founder, Together We Grow

Beyond the Tantrums: Improving Behavior Through Executive Function Skills

Ever feel frustrated by challenging behaviors in your pre-K classroom? Discover how to turn things around by focusing on executive function skills! Join Prerna as she demystifies the relationship between the skills and the behaviors, and learn strategies for helping your students improve both.

Are You Ready To Access The #1 Event For
Pre-K & Kindergarten Teachers This Year?

Grab your extended access pass to the 2023 Soar to Success Summit! Get the cutting-edge knowledge, audio recordings, professional development certificates of attendance (and more, for Invincible purchasers!) to help you make this school year a rousing success.

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INVINCIBLE ALL-ACCESS PASS

$199
  • Lifetime access to video replays of every session
  • Professional Development Certificates of Attendance (Up to 18 hours)
  • Downloadable audio recordings of each session
  • Active Listening Guide
  • Written transcripts of every session
  • Our "Keep Calm & Teach On: Tips & Tricks for Classroom Management" course with certificates of attendance
  • Free 30-day trial of the Teaching Trailblazers program

Mere Mortal

$49
  • Downloadable audio recordings of each session and panel
  • Professional Development Certificates of Attendance (Up to 18 hours)

Ticket price PER PERSON and is in USD. All sales final.

We cannot guarantee that your certificates of attendance for this online learning experience will be accepted by your school or agency. You can read more about how credit works here.

Want your school to pay for an All-Access Pass?

Give them this letter of support! >>

See why people LOVE this event!

They're motivated!

“The Summit was PACKED with wisdom. I can’t wait to put into practice all those GOLD nuggets! Thanks to Vanessa and all the speakers! I appreciate you sharing what you know to help others!”

Amy R.
Pre-K Teacher

They're excited!

“My first time attending the Summit! Edified, educated, ignited and excited to implement this learning with my students this fall!”

Patrica S.
Pre-K Teacher

They're eager!

“So much great information and practical ideas I can implement immediately!”

Crystal W.
Pre-K Teacher

They're inspired!

“I wish the professional development provided by my district was as useful and engaging as the Summit sessions!!!!”

Joli B.
Pre-K Teacher

Frequently Asked Questions

Vanessa-2022

About Your Host

Vanessa Levin

Vanessa Levin is an author, speaker, and creator of Pre-K Pages, one of the Internet’s most popular resource websites for teachers of young children. With more than 20 years of classroom teaching experience, Vanessa is also the founder of the Teaching Trailblazers, which supports early childhood educators through research-based, hands-on curriculum, professional development/training, mentorship, and community.

Vanessa's bestselling book, Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers, is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-a-Million.

Are you ready to transform your classroom into a training ground for the next generation of bright, capable minds?

Then suit up, and let's take flight at the Soar to Success Summit!

Grab your extended access pass to our virtual 2023 Soar to Success Summit—and get access to the knowledge and play-based techniques that increase student engagement, decrease behavior issues, and skyrocket their ability to learn.

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