Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington is seeking presenters for its Early Childhood Education conference, “Community Roots: Working Together to Strengthen the Village That Raises Every Child,” to be held this fall on Oct. 3.
The campus invites early childhood educators, professionals, and experts to lead 75-minute breakout sessions designed to share best practices and classroom-ready takeaways. The deadline to submit proposals is May 15.
Funded by a Lilly Endowment grant, the full-day conference will be offered at no cost to attendees and will be open to 200 early childhood professionals across the Bloomington campus service area, including Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Orange, and Owen counties.
“This conference is about bringing together the people who are shaping the earliest learning experiences in our communities,” said Katy New, assistant department chair of early childhood education at Ivy Tech Bloomington.
By investing in our educators, we strengthen outcomes for Hoosier children and families across our region.”
– Katy New, assistant department chair, early childhood education
The event will feature keynote speaker Heather Bernt-Santy, host of the number one early childhood podcast in the U.S., “That Early Childhood Nerd,” and author of “Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood.”
Presenters are encouraged to incorporate tangible resources or materials that educators can use in the classroom.
Proposals can be submitted at link.ivytech.edu/ecedconference2026.
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and a leading provider of early childhood education programs statewide. With the support of a $21.9 million grant awarded by Lilly Endowment Inc, Ivy Tech is expanding pathways for Hoosiers to enter and advance in early childhood careers. Through strong partnerships, the College is developing the next generation of educators to lead Indiana’s early learning system forward.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
