Luminary Sessions: An Illuminating Professional Development Workshop Series for Early Childhood Educators

Luminary Sessions brings together leaders and innovators in early childhood education for immersive professional development experiences. As a part of our service to the ECE community, the McNichol ECE Lab offers these workshops free of charge, demonstrating our commitment to accessible professional growth. Our sessions unite practitioners, researchers, and community partners in sharing their knowledge and expertise in service to the field.

Our monthly workshops blend research-backed insights with practical classroom applications, covering essential topics like child-centered learning approaches, educator wellness, classroom community building, play-based literacy, and behavior management.

Each session is carefully designed to spark meaningful dialogue and foster deep learning through:

• Interactive workshops with field experts
• Small group discussions and peer learning opportunities
• Hands-on activities that model classroom implementation
• Take-home resources and practical tools
• Professional learning community connections

We meet monthly during the academic year, creating an ongoing journey of professional growth that respects educators' busy schedules while providing sustained support for implementing new practices. Whether you're a veteran teacher looking to refresh your practice or a new educator seeking to build your toolkit, Luminary Sessions offers a space for growth, connection, and professional renewal.

These sessions are held live each month and recordings are provided for participants.

Our Luminary Presenters for the 24/25 Academic year include:

Please see our Lab Calendar for upcoming dates and times, as well as for links to register.

Please email eec75@drexel.edu if you would like to contact us about our Luminary Sessions or if you would like to apply to be a future speaker.