Join us for a two-day Church Weekday Education Conference for preschool directors and teachers, created to equip, encourage and renew those serving children and families through weekday ministry.

Rooted in Ephesians 4:1, “Walk worthy of the calling you have received,” this year’s theme, Worthy, calls us to reflect on how we live, lead and serve faithfully in the calling of Christ.

This conference is a reminder that our work is more than a role. It is a sacred calling. Through intentional leadership development, practical classroom training and Christ-centered encouragement, participants will be challenged to walk with humility, unity and purpose as they serve and lead.

Friday is designed for directors and assistant directors, focusing on leadership, administration and spiritual formation.

Saturday is open to all weekday education staff—teachers, caregivers and those exploring this ministry—offering hands-on training, encouragement and practical tools for everyday ministry.

Across both days, we will gather for meaningful fellowship, biblically grounded teaching and uplifting praise and worship.

Together, let us walk faithfully, lead with purpose and serve in a way that is worthy of the calling of Christ.

Speaker

Joy Greene

Joy Greene

Founder and President, Joytime Ministries

Schedule

Friday, July 31: Directors & Assistant Directors

9 a.m. – Registration, Fellowship, Light Breakfast

9:30 a.m. – Welcome, Worship, Game

10 a.m. – Encouraging Message

10:45 a.m. – Worship

11 a.m. – Break

11:15 a.m. – Testimonies

Noon – Lunch (Salad Bar)

1 p.m. – Serving With Joy: Sustaining Your Calling Without Burnout

2 p.m. – Devotional & Prayer

Saturday, Aug. 1: All Staff

8 a.m. – Registration

8:30 a.m. – Main Session #1

9:30 a.m. – Break

9:45 a.m. – Breakout #1

10:45 a.m. – Break

10:55 a.m. – Breakout #2

Noon – Lunch (Chick-fil-A)

1 p.m. – Breakout #3

2 p.m. – Break

2:10 p.m. – Main Session #2

Breakout Sessions

Bringing Circle Time to Life: Teaching with Puppets

Cathie Pixley
Puppets are more than just toys—they are powerful teaching tools in the preschool classroom. When used intentionally, puppets can enhance circle time by sparking imagination, strengthening language development and modeling appropriate behavior in a fun and engaging way. In this session, participants will discover how to use puppets to build meaningful emotional connections, support social-emotional learning and create memorable teaching moments across various subjects. 

Bringing Jesus Home: Guiding Families in Faithful Living

Rene Christensen
Faith doesn’t stop when children leave the classroom—it continues in the rhythms of everyday life at home. This session will equip teachers and ministry leaders with practical strategies to partner with parents, reinforce spiritual lessons and help families create meaningful, faith-filled habits. Learn how to guide families in making Jesus a part of their daily routines, turning ordinary moments into opportunities for discipleship and growth.

Continued Advocacy for Weekday Preschool Ministry – Partnering with Your Church & Local Community

Jeana Stewart
Weekday preschool leaders will discuss the practical steps of communicating the spiritual value and eternal impact of their ministry to church leadership. The preschool is a natural partner with the church to positively impact and help build the kingdom of God. Weekday leaders will be encouraged to establish and align the preschool‘s mission in ministry with the church’s overall vision of reaching the community for Jesus Christ.

Creating Order & Joy: A Beginner’s Guide to Classroom Management

Kaitlyn Dunne
Effective classroom management in early childhood isn’t about being louder or stricter; it’s about being intentional, consistent and prepared. In this session, we’ll focus on practical, actually usable strategies for managing classrooms from infants through age five. We’ll cover routines that work, transitions that don’t feel chaotic, age appropriate behavior guidance and simple systems that reduce stress for both teachers and children. This session will equip you with clear, developmentally appropriate approaches that create calmer environments and how to be more confident.

Finding Belonging: Welcoming Families Affected by Autism

Russ Duncan
Many churches encounter children on the Autism Spectrum but are unsure how to respond in ways that are supportive and inclusive. This uncertainty can create challenges for both families and church staff. This breakout session will provide practical tools and guiding principles to help churches confidently welcome children on the Spectrum and create environments where families feel seen, supported and valued.

Inclusive Music: Engaging Every Child in Song

Meleah Farlow
Music is a powerful way for children to connect with God’s Word, express joy and build community—but every child experiences music differently. This session will equip ministry leaders and teachers with practical strategies to engage children of all abilities in song, using adaptations, instruments and interactive techniques. Learn how to make music time accessible, meaningful, and fun for every child, helping them worship, learn and grow together.

Learning Through the Senses: Intentional Play for Early Learners

Stephanie Inman
This professional development course is designed to help preschool educators confidently use sensory bins, sensory activities and sensory fidgets to support learning, regulation and engagement in early childhood classrooms. Participants will explore how hands-on sensory experiences promote fine motor development, language growth, self-regulation and social skills while supporting children with a wide range of sensory needs.

Little Minds, Big Discoveries: Exploring Science in Preschool

Suzanne Couillard
This course equips preschool teachers with practical ways to introduce science concepts while pointing children to the wonder of God’s creation. Participants will learn how to incorporate hands-on, age-appropriate science activities that encourage curiosity, observation and discovery. The session will explore ways to teach topics such as nature, weather, plants and animals while helping children recognize that God created the world and everything in it. Teachers will leave with simple ideas for integrating science and biblical truth into daily classroom learning.

Making Wise Technology Choices: Guiding Kids in a Digital World

Jeanette Winslow
What is too much screen time for young children? What does research say, and what should we do about it? This session will highlight the importance of play, the impact of screens on development and practical ways to create a healthier, more intentional learning environment for preschoolers.

More Than Play: Intentional Learning Inside and Outside

Kaitlyn Dunne
In this session, we’ll explore how purposeful play supports brain development, strengthens social emotional skills, builds language and encourages problem solving across every age group. From intentional sensory experiences indoors to meaningful movement and exploration outdoors, we’ll look at how environment and teacher engagement make all the difference. Join me as we break down practical strategies for designing play with intention, supporting developmental milestones, and creating spaces that truly work for young children, without adding more to your plate because we all want that.

Next-Level Classroom Management: Tools for Seasoned Educators

Peggy Degler
Geared toward experienced preschool teachers, this session offers practical classroom management strategies rooted in consistency, care and intentional guidance. Together, we’ll explore ways to create a peaceful, respectful environment where both teachers and children can thrive.

Partnering with Parents, Even Toward Dismissal

Eva Mathers and Denise Broad
This breakout session explores how faith-based preschool educators can build strong, Christ-centered partnerships with families, even when navigating difficult conversations or program dismissal decisions. Through real-life examples of both successful and challenging parent partnerships, participants will reflect on lessons learned and practical approaches to communication, trust-building and problem-solving. Emphasizing grace, transparency and a shared commitment to each child’s well-being, this session equips educators with strategies to support families with compassion and integrity throughout every stage of the partnership.

Play Builds the Brain: Strengthening Social-Emotional Health Through Connection and Trauma-Informed Play

Erica Spivey and Lori Brinkley 
Discover how play, connection and trauma-informed care nurture social-emotional health in children ages 0–5. Participants explore how play builds the brain, calms the stress response system and supports emotional regulation using the Five B’s of Trauma. Through interactive simulation and reflection, attendees gain practical strategies to create safe, connected environments that disarm fear and lay strong foundations for lifelong learning and resilience.

Safe, Seen and Supported: Caring for Children Ages 2–5 Through Trauma-Informed Practices

Erica Spivey and Lori Brinkley 
Young children in church weekday and preschool classrooms communicate their needs through behavior. This session equips teachers and directors to understand how trauma can influence reactions and how to discern what a child is communicating. Leave prepared to respond with confidence, compassion and a ministry mindset grounded in God’s love.

Say it Well: Communication That Builds Strong Weekday Ministries

Suzanne Couillard
This course equips preschool directors with practical communication strategies for leading staff and partnering with families while maintaining a Christ-centered approach. Participants will learn clear communication steps for addressing concerns, offering feedback and navigating difficult conversations with grace, wisdom and professionalism. Emphasis will be placed on listening well, speaking with kindness and truth, and modeling Christ-like leadership that builds unity and strengthens relationships within the preschool community.

Supporting Every Learner in the Preschool Classroom

Russ Duncan
The preschool classroom is typically filled with joy, laughter and discovery—but it can also bring unique challenges. When children of all abilities are part of the classroom, those challenges may feel amplified. This breakout session will equip teachers and ministry leaders with simple, practical strategies to help every child experience growth, success and belonging.

Teaching the Newest Learners: Evidence-Based Approaches for Generation Alpha and Beta 

Kendra Joyner
This session explores key characteristics of Generation Alpha and Beta and what current research says about how young children learn. Participants will examine cognitive, social-emotional and language development, along with the impact of technology on early learners. Educators will gain practical, evidence-based strategies to support engagement and developmentally appropriate instruction in preschool settings.

Truth for Tiny Hearts: Engaging Preschoolers in Scripture

Kaitlyn Dunne
Preschoolers are ready to know and love God more than we often realize. Designed for church weekday education teachers, this practical and encouraging breakout equips you with developmentally appropriate, classroom-ready strategies for teaching Scripture in engaging and meaningful ways. Learn how to move beyond simply telling Bible stories to helping young children experience God’s Word through interactive storytelling, sensory-rich learning, repetition and purposeful play. This session supports early childhood best practices while integrating biblical truth, helping you confidently communicate big truths in ways little hearts can understand. Participants will leave with ready-to-use ideas, hands-on tools and renewed confidence to create Christ-centered learning environments—while earning continuing education credit applicable to preschool teaching requirements.

Worship & Wonder: A Preschool Chapel Experience

Jennifer Trull
Chapel is more than just a part of the day—it’s an opportunity to plant seeds of truth in young hearts. In this interactive breakout, you’ll learn practical tools for your toolkit to help make chapel engaging, meaningful and impactful. Be encouraged and equipped with simple ideas you can use right away, because preschoolers are never too young to hear the truth of God’s Word.

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