
ECSE and PreK News!
Summer, 2025
Hello All!
Happy warm weather!!! I am loving the sunshine! I hope you are all well and looking forward to a great summer of rest, relaxation and of course, professional development! Please read below to see what we are offering this summer.
6/2/25 Problematic Student Behavior: Let’s Fix the Foundation -
Presented by Jessica Sinarski
Full Day Professional Development Experience
Behavior issues in the classroom can feel like a never-ending cycle that frustrates teachers and overwhelms school resources. This powerful day of learning will help you break free. We begin by demystifying how the brain’s natural protective powers shape both student and staff interaction.
Participants will learn how to spot "Downstairs Brain" reactions, apply strengths-based strategies, and practice concrete tools to boost "Upstairs Brain" functioning. Our guest presenter, an acclaimed author and national speaker, uses engaging stories, captivating visuals, and active problem-solving make this day of PD a lasting change-maker.
Participants will receive a copy of our speaker's book, and they will be exclusively invited to participate in a 4-part book study during the month of June that ends with a live Q & A with the author!
Registration Link - https://txr17.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1091801
6/3-4/25 Bright Minds: Finding the Light in Every Student
The Region 17 Education Service Center is excited to announce the annual professional development conference dedicated to Special Education topics.
This is a two-day conference focused on current topics related to special education. Sessions feature peer-reviewed, research-based strategies for use in the school and home environment. Well respected national and locally recognized speakers cover topics of interest including dyslexia, executive function, early childhood education, transition, legal issues, hearing impairments and autism.
Registration Link - https://txr17.escworks.net/catalog/conference.aspx?conference_id=1089772
6/16/25 and 6/18/25 9:00 -12:00 High Quality Pre-K Update - ZOOM (Administrative Update)
This is an administrative overview to review the High-Quality Prekindergarten Requirements. TEA has announced that they will be randomly selecting districts to monitor compliance with the program requirements for Pre-kindergarten. This will be a time for administrators to jump on ZOOM and review and ask any questions regarding HQPK. Please note that June 16 and June 18 are the same workshop. I am offering it twice (and I can offer it more if requested), because it is often so hard for administrators to be able to attend.
6/16/25 Registration Link - https://txr17.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1095458
6/18/25 Registration Link - (REPEAT SESSION) https://txr17.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1095465
6/23-25/25 Pyramid Model for Supporting Social and Emotional Competence in Young Children for ECSE and Pre-K Teachers
I am so excited to bring this training to Region 17!! The Pyramid Model is a positive behavioral intervention and support (PBIS) framework that uses systems-thinking and implementation science to promote evidence-based practices. The Pyramid Model for Supporting Social and Emotional Competence in Young Children is designed to help early educators build skills to creating supportive and nurturing learning environments. Participants will also explore ways to teach targeted social-emotional skills, and support children with challenging behavior. This early childhood comprehensive training provides proven methods and a variety of free materials and resources. This is a three-day training from 9:00-4:00. Space is limited.
Registration Link - https://txr17.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1093592
7/9-11/25 Academy for Teachers of Young Children will be held in Midland this year. THE POWER OF PLAY
THE ACADEMY FOR TEACHERS OF YOUNG CHILDREN (ATYC) 2025 provides a world class learning experience for all Early Childhood educators of children aged 3-6 years from across Texas through high quality professional development and networking opportunities. ATYC is hosted by the following seven Education Service Centers: Regions 9, 4, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. The 27th annual ATYC will kick off and close with two dynamic keynote speakers! Breakout sessions will cover timely and critical topics, including all aspects of early childhood education, such as math, science, reading, play-based activities, behavior, social competencies, and more. It is for general education, as well as early childhood special education (ECSE), educators. There is a $175.00 Charge for this conference.
Registration Link https://www.escweb.net/tx_r18/catalog/conference.aspx?conference_id=116497
(You will have to create an account with Region 18 to register. If you need assistance, please reach out and I can help you.)
7/29/25 Using Science and Social Studies Instruction to increase Literacy Skills in Prekindergarten
Come spend the day exploring having fun with Science and Social Studies instruction while increasing literacy skills in our youngest students! We will take a deep dive into the Pre-K Guidelines and get insight into how cross curricular instruction improves student outcomes for all students.
Registration Link - https://txr17.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1094871
It is my goal to use this SMORE to provide you current information, best practices and ideas for Early Childhood Special Education and General Education Prekindergarten. Please feel free to contact me at any time. My email is lwatson@esc17.net and my phone number is 806-281-5870.
Warmest Regards!
L'Rae Watson
Region 17 Early Childhood Specialist
806-281-5870
Click here for Jamie Canales’ Complex Access Needs Smore
Click here for Elda DeSantiago's Inclusion Newsletter
ECSE PLC’s
Coming for FALL 2025 and Spring 2026
PK / Inclusion PLC’s
FALL 2025 and Spring 2026
Workshops
High Quality Pre-K Update - ZOOM (Administrative Update)
6-16-25 https://txr17.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1095458
6-18-25 (REPEAT SESSION) https://txr17.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1095465
Pyramid Model
6/23-25/25 https://txr17.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1093592
Academy for Teachers of Young Children Held in Midland this year
July 9-11 https://www.escweb.net/tx_r18/catalog/conference.aspx?conference_id=116497
Using Science and Social Studies Instruction to increase Literacy Skills in Prekindergarten
7-29-25 https://txr17.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1094871
Texas Project Restore
Trauma-Informed Training Series
As a result of school closures and remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students have been at higher risk of exposure due to adverse childhood experiences and first hand exposure to the effects of COVID-19. We also know that many educators have themselves experienced a prolonged state of stress over the course of the pandemic and share many of the concerns regarding loss of safety, health and predictability as students upon the return to school.
That’s why TEA has launched Project Restore and this trauma-informed training video series, which is designed to address these extraordinary and unprecedented needs and connect you to relevant science and strategies that can help you address your own emotional needs as well the needs of your students and colleagues. This series will help educators create an environment that jump starts teaching and learning and drives student achievement.
Resources for ECSE teachers and families
Circle Family Activity Collection - https://cliengagefamily.org/
Social and Emotional Learning - https://cliengagefamily.org/english/family-engagement-search-and-filter/?fwp_age_group=36-48-months%2C48-60-months&fwp_learning_areas=social-and-emotional
Language and Communication - https://cliengagefamily.org/english/family-engagement-search-and-filter/?fwp_age_group=36-48-months%2C48-60-months&fwp_learning_areas=language-and-communication
Reading and Writing - https://cliengagefamily.org/english/family-engagement-search-and-filter/?fwp_age_group=36-48-months%2C48-60-months&fwp_learning_areas=reading-and-writing
About CLI Engage
CLI Engage is a comprehensive professional development, assessment, and quality improvement platform for early care and education programs in Texas.
Since 2003, the Children’s Learning Institute (CLI) has been implementing and studying large-scale interventions in early education. In 2014, in partnership with the Texas Education Agency, CLI formed an ambitious idea: to build a cost-effective, digital delivery system that could disseminate early childhood program improvement tools across the state. This innovative e-learning and data utilization platform became known as CLI Engage.