VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION
CCAL Spring Education Conference
April 10-11, 2026
Approved by LDOE & LA Pathways for 12 Clock Hours
The "Heart" of Louisiana - Leading with HEART
and Inspiring the Future
General Session - Friday, April 10, 2026
8:55 AM Welcoming Remarks and Introduction of the
Keynote Presenter – Tara Emery, CCAL President
9:00 AM "Leading from Where you Are"
Regina Miller, Keynote Presenter
This one-hour keynote presentation will motivate and inspire early childhood leaders and educators to work and grow from their current base of knowledge to become the best for our youngest learners.
Regina’s first workshop “The First Teachers Matter the Most” will be presented on Friday afternoon (April 10th). Her 1.5 hour workshop will focus on the importance of building a healthy relationship with parents and students to maximize full learning potential. Regina will discuss mental health and the need to ensure that child care providers are at our best for the children.
Regina’s second workshop “Reigniting the Joy of Teaching” will be presented on Saturday April 11th.
In this 1.5 hour workshop, Regina will focus on the importance of being your best self in early childhood education. Participants will learn techniques on how to be their best selves.
10:00 AM LDOE Regulatory Panel
- Moderator - Karen Powell, Deputy Superintendent
- Barry Carter, Assistant Superintendent, Early Childhood Education
- Shelia Campbell, Executive Director, Early Childhood Education
- Edlink Update
- Bulletin 137 Licensing Updates
- Child Care Criminal Background Checks
- Adult and Child Care Food Program (CACFP)
11:00 AM Legislative Advocacy Panel
Jonathan Pearce, Jennifer Stevenson & Cindy Bishop
Invited Guests include:
Senator Cameron Henry, Senate President
Senator Regina Barrow - Senate Pro-Tem
Rep. Jack McFarland - Chairman, House Appropriations
Senator Glenn Womack - Chairman, Senate Finance
Rep. Laurie Schlegal, Chairwoman, House Education
Senator Rick Edmonds, Chairman, Senate Education
Marcus Thomas, Director, Early Childhood Systems
12:00 Noon - Lunch and Door Prize Giveaways - Tara Emery
Friday Afternoon Workshops Will Be Announced
Saturday, April 11, 2026 Workshops
Reigniting the Joy of Teaching – Regina Miller, Keynote Speaker
This workshop will be a reflective, hands-on training where participants will learn practical strategies to manage stress, strengthen connections with children and rediscover meaning, balance and joy in their daily teaching practices. Participants will engage and rediscover the fulfillment that first inspired them to teach.
Making Storytime Fun – Regina Miller, Keynote Speaker
This workshop will teach participants how to use interactive reading, music, movement and props to create engaging Storytime experiences that build early literacy and keep children excited about learning.
For registration assistance, call Cindy Bishop at 225 933 5435 or email cindy.bishop@checkmate-strategies.com and David.roberson@checkmate-strategies.com
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