GAEYC 2026 Annual Conference
Schedule
at a Glance
Two full days of plenaries, breakout sessions, wellness breaks, and community. Here's what to expect at Rise Together, October 2–3, 2026.
Celebrating 60 Years of GAEYC
October 2–3, 2026
Phase Events · Alpharetta, GA
200 Seats Only
Friday, Oct 2
Breakfast + Opening Plenary
2 breakout session blocks
Table Talk Lunch
Documentary screening
GAEYC STARS Reception
Saturday, Oct 3
Breakfast + 3 session blocks
Table Talk Discussions
Afternoon snack break
Closing Plenary
Day One
Oct 2
Friday
Opening Day
Opening Plenary · Breakout sessions · Table Talk Lunch · Make A Circle Screening · Evening Reception
7:45 AM
Breakfast
Registration Opens & Breakfast
Start your morning fueled and connected. Breakfast is served before sessions begin, giving you time to settle in, meet fellow attendees, and ease into the day with intention.
9:00 AM
Plenary
Opening Plenary
The official launch of the GAEYC 2026 Annual Conference — and it opens with a live recording of the Council Table Podcast. Hosted by Dr. Calvin E. Moore Jr., this session gathers Dr. Bisa Lewis, Dr. Dina Walker-DeVose, Dr. Keon N. Berry, Tatjyana Elmore, and Ant Toombs for a conversation that captures the pulse of early childhood education in Georgia and beyond.
Dr. Calvin E. Moore Jr.
Host · Council Table Podcast
Council for Professional Recognition
Dr. Bisa Lewis
Council for Professional Recognition
Dr. Dina Walker-DeVose
GAEYC Board
Dr. Keon N. Berry
GAEYC Board
Tatjyana Elmore
BCDI Atlanta
Ant Toombs
Life is Good Playmaker Project
10:30 AM
Wellness
Wellness Break
A built-in moment to breathe, move, and reset. Because sustainable learning starts with taking care of yourself.
10:45 AM
Session Block 1
Mid-Morning Sessions
Choose from four concurrent breakout sessions across the S.T.A.R. tracks — Strength, Together, Advocacy, and Resilience — each designed to deepen your practice and expand your perspective.
12:30 PM
Lunch
Table Talk Lunch
Lunch with a purpose. Facilitated table discussions invite you to connect with peers around shared challenges, ideas, and experiences. Come hungry for food and conversation.
1:45 PM
Session Block 2
Afternoon Sessions
Your second session block of the day. With four concurrent tracks to choose from, you'll leave with a full toolkit of strategies, tools, and inspiration you can put to work immediately.
3:15 PM
Break
Afternoon Snack
Recharge before the final stretch. Grab a snack, connect with an exhibitor, or take a few minutes for yourself before the evening program begins.
3:30 PM
Screening
Make A Circle Screening
An optional documentary screening to close out the afternoon before the evening program begins. Details to be confirmed.
6:30 PM
Reception
GAEYC STARS Reception
Celebrate the start of two days together. The GAEYC STARS Reception is your chance to connect with colleagues, sponsors, and new friends in a relaxed setting after an energizing first day.
Day Two
Oct 3
Saturday
Closing Day
Breakout sessions · Table Talk Discussions · Afternoon Sessions · Closing Plenary
7:45 AM
Breakfast
Registration Opens & Breakfast
Start your second morning fueled and connected. Breakfast is served before sessions begin, giving you time to settle in, reconnect with peers, and prepare for the day ahead.
9:00 AM
Session Block 1
Morning Sessions
Dive into your second day of work. Choose from four concurrent breakout sessions across the S.T.A.R. tracks — Strength, Together, Advocacy, and Resilience — each designed to deepen your practice and expand your perspective.
10:30 AM
Wellness
Wellness Break
A built-in moment to reset and re-energize. Because sustainable learning starts with taking care of yourself.
10:45 AM
Session Block 2
Mid-Morning Sessions
Keep the momentum going. A second round of concurrent breakout sessions gives you another opportunity to choose the learning experience that speaks most to your role and goals.
12:30 PM
Lunch
Table Talk Discussions
Lunch with a purpose. Facilitated table discussions invite you to connect with peers around shared challenges, ideas, and experiences. Come hungry for food and conversation.
1:45 PM
Session Block 3
Afternoon Sessions
Your final session block of the conference. Choose the track that sends you home with what you need most — new strategies, renewed purpose, or a stronger sense of community.
3:15 PM
Break
Afternoon Snack
Recharge before the final stretch. Grab a snack, connect with an exhibitor, or take a few minutes for yourself before the conference's closing program.
3:30 PM
Plenary
Closing Plenary
We end the way we began — together. Ant Toombs closes two days of learning and community with The Power of a Playful Mindset — a vision for what's possible when early childhood educators are seen, supported, and equipped to lead. Gather as a full community to reflect, celebrate, and carry the spirit of Rise Together back into your work.
Ant Toombs
Life is Good Playmaker Project
The Power of a Playful Mindset