2008 Conference Announcement
17th Annual Training Conference - September 19th - 21st
2008 Conference Flyer 
- Click here
2008 Call for Exhibitors Application
Call for Presenters - Click Here!
2008 Conference Preview
Marcy Hemminger
“My mission is to help my peer professionals with information and ideas!” |
Through Primarily-Kids, I have designed the "Setting the Stage for Learning" preschool and kindergarten curriculum resource system with that opportunity and responsibility in mind. As teachers acting as facilitators, this curriculum demonstrates how to create a classroom environment enriched with pictures and objects that promote that desire to learn. Creating a new "world of discovery" for children to step into each time a thematic unit is introduced. By making simple changes in the way your classroom looks, feels and is interacted with, you can entice your students to learn about dinosaurs, nursery rhymes, the farm, outer space and more, even as they play with blocks, in the kitchen, or at designated centers.
As a veteran teacher of 30 years, I have been involved with preschool aged children for most of my life. Certified in Special Education and Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Reading and Literacy, I have worked with both special needs and general education students. I have owned and operated a preschool, directed a large childcare center, and started a non-profit organization that has developed an educational resource and referral center to meet the needs of local child care providers.
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"Kinderman” John Taylor
Music CD for Children Mr. John Taylor a.k.a. The Kinderman, is a three Time Emmy Award winning host, and co-producer of ABC, Channel 2’s It’s Kindertime, now The Kinderman Show . Master Artist-in-Education with Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, and known as the “Pied piper of dance,” he has conducted interactive performances and workshops, for thousands of students, families and teachers at schools and conferences around thecountry. Kinderman has been honored and recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Headstart Association for his work and approach in educating children. A Master Teacher at the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, Kinderman's approach is brought to life by incorporating movement, dance, rhyme, song, adventure, learning games, and stunning visuals into an interactive experience.
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Brenda Ives - Bio
Brenda Ives has operated a successful family child care business in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for over 30 years. She is very excited about the fact, that in less than 2 years, she will be retiring in the beautiful town of Patrick Springs, Virginia! Along with her husband of 40 years, she has raised two great children; one is a restaurant manager in Fort Lauderdale and the other a police officer in Montgomery County, Maryland. Brenda and her husband are also the proud Nana and 
Pop-Pop of three fantastic grandchildren.
Brenda was asked in the early 1990’s, to help establish a state association, along with four others. She became the Chairperson of the State Steering Committee, and a year later was elected the first President of the non-profit organization, Florida Family Child Care Home Association, Inc. Membership started in 1992, with 10 members, grew to 269 members in 1993 and now has a membership base of nearly 2000.
Brenda believes in the philosophy that effective leaders don't step down, they just move over. With that in mind, after her 4 year term as President, she also held the offices of Training Coordinator and Membership Officer. Brenda is currently the Chair of their Leadership Summit and Conference, of which over 400 attend annually. She is also the Conference Chair for the National Association of Family Child Care. Brenda was also very instrumental in helping the state association, through a $200,000 grant, to establish a peer-mentoring program that is used throughout the state of Florida called, “Mentoring Me!”
In 1997, she helped create and now owns, the Child Care Training and Consulting Firm, called “PathFinders Unlimited, Inc.” PathFinders Unlimited, administers the Second Helping Training and Cuatro Pasos Training, a 32 hour advanced training in English and Spanish, specially designed for family child care providers. PathFinders Unlimited, Inc also administers the Master Provider Credential and the Leadership Series, “Getting it Right The First Time.” This 32 hour series includes Association Development, Team Building, Instructor Training and Professional Development.
Brenda starts each day by remembering her favorite affirmation by Jane Sellman, “Being a caregiver enables one to influence the future, one child at a time!” She believes training family child care providers to run a successful business by becoming intentional, quality providers is good; but training those same providers to become great leaders within their communities, to help produce even bigger numbers of intentional, quality providers gives us a greater voice and better opportunity of reaching the goal of “Changing OUR world, ONE child at a time!”
Special Note:
Go to http://pathfindersunlimited.com for more information
Donations are needed to Support the Conference
Keep checking in for Progress and Updates
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2007 Conference Announcement
16th Annual Training Conference - September 28th - 30th
Plans and preparation for the 2008 VAFCCA Annual Training Conference are in full swing. Updated information will be made available through The Alliance Quarterly and this website will be updated accordingly. If you would like to participate in the planning process, we would love to hear from you. As a volunteer - managed association, duties and responsibilities are accomplished through members' availability. VAFCCA Board Members are Providers just like you. Conference Committee Members and their families devote many hours of volunteer time throughout the year in order to provide attendees a successful and enjoyable conference experiences. We welcome and need your input, comment, and suggestions. But more importunately, we need your participation and involvement in the VAFCCA, Local Associations, and Child Care Profession. We welcome your participation and contribution. Our contact information is:
Web: www.vafcca,org
Email: the_vafcca@yahoo.com
Phone: (703) 354-5913
Donations are needed to Support the Conference
With the Conference schedule quickly approaching, we are asking members, businesses, vendors and others to please consider donation of items to support the Fundraising Auction to be held Friday, September 28th. The Auction will take place during the Welcome Reception. Proceeds from the Auction will help to support scholarship opportunities. Scholarships to give Providers an opportunity to obtain technical, educational, and leadership training otherwise would not be affordable.
Effective January 1, 2008, Providers must be in compliance with new health and safety regulations. Our goal is to offer this health and safety training to all of our members. Your gift of any amount received by September 17 would make a tremendous difference in the life of a Provider and the lives of the children entrusted in her care. Anyone can donate items and because the Alliance Education Fund is a non-profit organization, donations are tax deductible. Some of the items donated in the past included vacation packages, jewelry, electronics, children’s books, toys, curriculums, wine, gift cards, products, goods and services. Please send all donations to:
The Virginia Alliance of Family Child Care Associations
5201 Heming Avenue
Springfield, Virginia 22151
Click Here for Conference Info
Click Here to Register Online Now!
2007 Conference Preview: 
The Honorable Thomas R. Morris
Secretary of Education
Dr. Thomas R. Morris began serving as Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Administration of Governor Timothy M. Kaine on January 15, 2006.
Prior to his appointment within the Governor’s Cabinet, Secretary Morris served as the president of Emory & Henry College for 13½ years. A distinguished Constitutional scholar and political scientist, he was a distinguished faculty member at the University of Richmond for 21 years.
A native of Galax, Virginia, Secretary Morris earned a bachelor's degree in government at Virginia Military Institute, studied at Princeton University, then completed master's and doctoral degrees in government at the University of Virginia. He received fellowships for additional advanced study including a year as a Liberal Arts Fellow at the Harvard Law School and a year as a fellow of the National Endowment for the Humanities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
During his teaching career at the University of Richmond, Dr. Morris was selected to leadership posts and honored for excellence in the classroom. He was honored as a University Distinguished Educator, received many faculty research grants, and served as chair of the Faculty Council.
Secretary Morris is widely known as an expert on Virginia government and politics. He is the author or co-author of four books, including Virginia Government and Politics: Readings and Comments, Fourth Revised Edition, a 1998 work co-edited with Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia. He co-authored a chapter entitled “Republicans Surge in the Competitive Dominion” in a book published by LSU Press, Southern Politics in the 1990s. He also wrote a chapter on Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder for a nationally circulated book entitled Governors and Hard Times, published in 1992 by Congressional Quarterly Press, and in 1994 a chapter on Virginia and the Voting Rights Act in Quiet Revolution in the South, Princeton University Press. Dr. Morris has written an additional 17 major articles or book chapters.
Dr. Morris was well known as a political analyst for television, radio, and print media over a period of twenty-five years. He chaired the Commission on Virginia’s State and Local Tax Structure for the 21st Century (1999-2000) and was a member of Governor Warner’s Commission on Efficiency and Effectiveness (2002).
Secretary Morris is married to the former Barbara-lyn Belcher, a native of Buchanan County, Virginia, who was a Richmond high school principal and executive director of Richmond Metro Leadership before the couple moved to Emory. They have three daughters: Tabby, Robbins, and Rosa; and one grandson, Anthony.
Relationship Building – Conflict Resolution Solutions Seminar - With Tod Faller
Tod Faller is an author and national presenter who has served in Elementary, secondary, and higher education in every leadership role from teacher, counselor, principal, and educational consultant for nearly 40 years.
He has a Pastoral Ministry Certification in Counseling with an MA degree in Educational Leadership and post graduate doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership, Personal Relations and Family Counseling. He has over 35 years in service to public and private education, as a teacher, counselor and administrator, in Elementary, Secondary and Higher Education.
He also provided university graduate instruction in areas such as Adult Development and Training, Conflict Resolution, Motivation Theory and Work Behavior.
Got Diversity-
Rita N. Johnson, Artistic Director
Diversity Enrichment Cultural Center Richmond,Virginia.
The Diversity Enrichmenl Cultural Center is a mobile classroom that focuses on interactive multicultural programming. We bring the world that surrounds us to you. Our adventures are ideal for recreational programs, libraries, festivals and classrooms. Take a tour of West Africa, exploring through sight, sound, touch, taste and movement. Come closer to hear the voice of a griot, passing down folktales from generation to
generation. Across the globe, dance along the trails of the "Black Forest", near the Alps. Learn to count in German. Skip around the "Mai" pole (May pole). Learn about the wonderful people and tastes that make up these magnificent countries. As you travel the globe with Diversity Enrichment, you will learn to understand and embrace cultures near and far. Bon Voyage! ! !
We also offer the following workshops:
Got Diversity?
Stress Management
Motivationally You
Click Here to Register Online Now!