Cultivating Strength in ECE: A Bilingual Conference
Early educators don’t just teach our children – they guide, nurture and inspire them while building the emotional foundations they need to thrive. But too often, educators’ own well-being is left out of the conversation.
“In today’s early childhood education (ECE) landscape, educators face overwhelming demands: limited resources, high workloads, and the constant responsibility of supporting children and families – often followed by caring for their own families after work,” explained Yimma Davila-Castro, Milwaukee Succeeds’ ECE manager. “Because of this, educators rarely have the time or tools to care for themselves.”
Milwaukee Succeeds is setting out to change this. Together with Daniel Educational Services, we’re hosting a free, fully bilingual conference designed to uplift early educators and honor the critical work they do. Held September 20 at ThriveOn King, Cultivating Strength in Early Childhood Education Practice will be a space for educators to build resilience, find practical strategies for supporting their own well-being and strengthen the field as a whole.
Empowering Educators
"Amid all of the stress in ECE, educators need resources to support their own stress, to connect with others with a sense of community and shared learning," said Sara Daniel, executive director of Daniel Educational Services. "They need skills to effectively support themselves, children and families, contributing to healthier outcomes for young children in Milwaukee."
This daylong conference will dive into some of the most pressing topics in the field, offering strategies to improve ECE practices, support emerging leaders, and promote the mental health and well-being of educators. Presentations, interactive sessions and keynotes will cover practical approaches to high-quality teaching, organizational leadership and self-regulation – equipping educators with the tools they need to build resilient learning environments AND care for themselves in the process. Plus, all attendees will receive free continuing education hours through the Wisconsin Registry.
Sara Daniel, left, provides instruction during our Train-the-Trainer Learning Series in October.
This focus on educator well-being is part of a broader effort led by the Milwaukee ECE Coalition’s Mental Health Workgroup, which aims to ensure that those caring for our youngest learners are also supported in their own emotional and mental health.
As part of the event, all attendees will receive a free adult self-regulation toolkit – including items like stress balls, essential oils and breathing cue cards – specifically curated to help them stay grounded in their daily work. Additionally, the conference will feature dedicated regulation rooms and quiet reflection spaces, where educators can take a moment for themselves throughout the day. Mental health professionals from Wellpoint Care Network will also be on-hand to offer one-on-one support, listen to concerns, and connect participants with appropriate programs and services.
“These spaces are designed to create moments of calm, reflection and support during a full day of learning,” said Yimma, “helping educators leave the event feeling renewed and empowered.”
Bridging Language and Culture
What makes this conference truly special is its fully bilingual approach, designed to foster a more inclusive professional community. English and Spanish speakers will learn side by side, regardless of their primary language, thanks to a carefully crafted interpretation system.
Each participant will have access to a headset, allowing them to tune in for real-time interpretation, and everyone will be encouraged to choose sessions based on their interests rather than on the language alone. This design will create a shared learning environment that truly embraces the diversity of Milwaukee’s ECE workforce.
“This approach ensures all educators can fully participate, regardless of their primary language, and are not limited to a few sessions offered in their primary language,” shared Yimma. “It also connects Black and Brown educators through shared experiences, rather than separating them by language.”
"We want to be leaders in that space, where English and Spanish speakers are learning shoulder to shoulder," said Sara. "This approach fosters a richer learning experience for everyone, building a stronger, more connected community of ECE providers."
Building a Network of Leaders
This conference isn’t just about supporting educators – it’s also about elevating the voices of emerging trainers in the ECE field. Many of the presenters leading sessions at the conference are alumni of recent ECE Coalition training programs, which have focused on building the pool of certified trainers in the state.
“The goal is to have more trusted messengers in the Black/Latino community to represent at local and state conferences, as well as to offer registry-approved training,” said Sara.
For these trainers, this conference is a chance to gain real-world presentation experience, strengthening the skills they’ve gained during their learning journey. For attendees, it means learning from people who truly understand the challenges and rewards of ECE – and who are committed to building a brighter future for Milwaukee’s children.
Join Us
With registration open now and a deadline of September 1, this is a critical opportunity for ECE providers to connect, learn and grow in a truly inclusive environment. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this important conversation. Register today to secure your spot.
