A unique conference will help early education professionals in South Central Pennsylvania with important training. The 2026 Virtual Early Learning Conference, presented by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities is an online learning opportunity for any professional who supports young learners, held from March 9-13.
Participants can advance their professional development viacredits awarded for a $50 registration fee.
A conference in conversation with the community
As Pennsylvania experiences a teaching crisis, this year’s conference puts an emphasis on helping underserved populations. The Virtual Early Learning Conference has community-informed sessions that empower those leading the charge in education.
For example, the course on communication with nonverbal students and infants/toddlers will help foster new connections with students. Other sessions take on topics such as the dangers of screentime and the ways that international literature can unlock new methods of teaching.
“This conference is in conversation with the needs of early learning professionals around us,” said Michelle Schopf, early education advocate at TFEC and conference organizer. “My connections with school districts and learning centers helps us maximize the conference’s relevance in a changing field. Guardians, teachers, paraprofessionals and even high school/college students with an interest in education would find this a worthwhile opportunity.”
During her meetings with TFEC’s Early Education Task Force, Schopf realized that the needs of her community partners were directly reflected in the conference. Harrisburg School District, for example, is working in the community to create family engagement opportunities in early learning.
The conference as a whole is a resource to develop new engagement skills. Additionally, early education centers across Pennsylvania are in a battle against children’s screen time. The conference gives professionals tools to aid in that fight.
TFEC hosted over 200 attendees during the previous year’s conference. Participants said they took back real-world skills that helped them support the little learners in their lives. This asynchronous opportunity allows participants to watch the courses at their own speed within the timeframe. Attendees will earn continuing education credits and develop new skills to take back to the community!
Registration is open
“This conference is a wealth of knowledge,” said Schopf. “The Virtual Early Learning Conference allows attendees to explore budding topics that equip us to engage a new generation of little learners.”
Registration is open and will close March 5. Registration and details may be found at www.tfec.org/event/virtual-early-learning-conference-2026/.
