2026 International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute

2026 International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute

Ramona Fisher

ESAAA/CAA Head Start

Education/Disabilities/Mental Health Manager

Virginia

About me

Education and Disabilities Manager with Head Start; Certified CLASS Observer for preschool. I've been with program for 33 years and have worked as homebase teacher as well as a Family Service Worker.
I have three granddaughters; one is a soccer player and runs track; one plays lacrosse and the other is in Early Childhood Education. Two brothers one has MS and hasn't walked in 15 years, but he is a fighter and is determined to keep moving forward and my baby brother is a track coach.

8:00am EDT

(In-Person) Check in for Pre-Conference Workshops and Breakfast Atrium

10:00am EDT

(In-Person) Morning Break and Snacks for Pre-Conference Participants Atrium

12:00pm EDT

(In-Person) Lunch Trillium

1:00pm EDT

(Hybrid) Welcome and Keynote Address Grumman, Virtual on ZoomMychal Threets

2:15pm EDT

(In-Person) Afternoon break and snacks Atrium

2:45pm EDT

(Hybrid) Inclusion 101: From Access to Belonging in Early Childhood Environments Dogwood, Virtual on ZoomMegan Vinh

4:30pm EDT

(In-Person) Reflection/Networking Session: Teachers, Practitioners – Early Intervention, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Childcare, Head Start, Pre-K, Therapists RedbudDawn Meskil

7:30am EDT

(In-Person) Check in and Breakfast Atrium

8:30am EDT

(In-Person) Meeting Children Where They Are: Adapting Instruction for Preschool Children DogwoodDelShana LeGrant • Kimberly Terry

10:00am EDT

(In-Person) Morning Break and Snacks Atrium

10:15am EDT

(In-Person) Understanding Child Media Use for Sensory Regulation: Research by the UNC FaMLab on Media Sensory Curation and Family Media Conflict WindflowerKristen Harrison

11:45am EDT

(In-Person) Lunch Trillium

12:45pm EDT

(In-Person) Finding the Right Fit: Using the Coaching Match Tool to Strengthen Inclusive Practices BellflowerKathleen Artman Meeker (In-Person) Many Ways to Show you Care with Fred Rogers Productions AzaleaMallory Mbalia

1:45pm EDT

(In-Person) Open Networking/Break Atrium

2:00pm EDT

(In-Person) Better Together: Partnering with Child Care Providers for Inclusive Experiences BellflowerLindsay N. Giroux • Leiha Knecht (In-Person) Beyond Disability History and Awareness Month: Turning Policy into Inclusive Practice in Early Childhood WindflowerPhilip Woodward (Virtual) From Awareness to Belonging: Partnering with Families to Create Sesame Street’s Autism Resources Virtual on ZoomRocio Galarza

3:00pm EDT

(In-Person) Afternoon Break and Snacks Atrium

3:15pm EDT

(Hybrid) When the Roads Don’t Meet: Improving Pathways to Early Intervention and Inclusion RedbudSheresa Blanchard • Samantha Scott • Karen Zyskind (In-Person) Maximizing Your Strengths: The Power of Lived Experience Moutain LaurelSanaa Sharrieff

4:15pm EDT

(In-Person) Afternoon Break and Snacks Atrium

4:30pm EDT

(Hybrid) Finding Our North Star: Defining What We’re Fighting For in Early Childhood Inclusion RedbudSarah Buesching • Christy Cooper • Kim Tizzard • Christy Koury • Nailah Wright (In-Person) Stop, Collaborate & Listen AzaleaTriahnna Miles (In-Person) “Keeping Kids Connected: What Families (and Professionals) Need to Know About Exclusionary Discipline in Early Childhood Settings (and What to Do When It Happens) Moutain LaurelKristen Paul

7:30am EDT

(In-Person) Check in and Breakfast Atrium

8:30am EDT

(In-Person) Beyond the book: Creating a space where every child thrives through sensory inclusion BellflowerSarah Alverson • Jennifer Jamsky (In-Person) Turning Toward: Moving from Challenging to Connected When Behavior Feels Hard DogwoodSally Hansen • Jackie Joseph (In-Person) When the Path Isn’t Clear, We Create It Together: A Panel Discussion WindflowerSarah Buesching • Christy Cooper • Kate Pingel • Kristen Montgomery • BetsyJohn Lane

10:00am EDT

(In-Person) Morning Break and Snacks Atrium

10:30am EDT

(In-Person) From Concern to Connection, Navigating Early Intervention and Special Education Services in Early Childhood BellflowerLaurie Strickland

11:45am EDT

(In-Person) Lunch and Reflection Trillium

8:00am EDT

(Virtual) “Keeping Kids Connected: What Families (and Professionals) Need to Know About Exclusionary Discipline in Early Childhood Settings (and What to Do When It Happens) Virtual on ZoomKristen Paul

9:00am EDT

(Virtual) Growing the Inclusion Pipeline: Mentoring Future Early Childhood Leaders in Inclusive STEM Virtual on ZoomSherri Britt Williams • Sherra Lawrence