Early Childhood Educator Series

Greensboro Day School is proud to host a free professional development experience for preschool, childcare, and early childhood educators. This program is open to those in Greensboro, the Triad, and beyond! Join GDS faculty experts for engaging sessions, hands-on learning, and collaborative opportunities designed to inspire your teaching practice. Connect with fellow educators, explore new strategies, and take home tools to help in your classroom.

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Location: Helen Monroe Preschool at Greensboro Day School (4700 Lake Brandt Road)

Schedule

5:40–6 p.m.: Arrival and Check-In
6–6:55 p.m.: Breakout Session 1
7–7:55 p.m.: Breakout Session 2

This professional development opportunity is free of charge.

Contact Hours

Contact hours and training certificates are available upon completion of breakout sessions. Please refer to individual session descriptions for details.

Helen Monroe Preschool

4700 Lake Brandt Road
Greensboro, NC 27455

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Breakout Sessions

Growing Great Thinkers: Deepening Discovery Through Playful Learning

1 contact hour

Participants are invited to explore the relationship between emergent play and purposeful instruction. Together, we will discover how to tap into the potential of the learning environment to drive cognitive growth. The session centers on Intentional Scaffolding, a powerful approach where educators observe the child’s play and use interventions, such as strategic questioning and modeling, to elevate thinking and encourage complex problem-solving. Participants will gain an understanding of this approach and a practical toolkit to transform their classrooms into hubs of learning and discovery.

Presenter: Rebecca Holland

Rebecca has a degree in Elementary Education and a Birth-Kindergarten licensure. She brings more than 20 years of experience to the classroom and is currently a Bitty Bengals (three- and four-year-olds) Homeroom Teacher at Greensboro Day School. She is committed to a student-centered, experiential approach using play as a primary vehicle for learning.

Managing Challenging Behaviors

1 contact hour

In this session, we will discuss how to support preschool teachers in recognizing, understanding, and effectively responding to challenging behaviors in young children. The training emphasizes proactive, relationship-based strategies that create predictable, nurturing environments where children feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Teachers will walk away with developmentally appropriate strategies, communication techniques for partnering with families, and a deeper understanding of how to support each child’s emotional needs while maintaining a positive, inclusive classroom environment.

Presenters: Ariel Everett and Carly Lucas

Ariel is in her 10th year of teaching, with the past seven years at Greensboro Day School as a Bitty Bengals (three- and four-year-olds) Homeroom Teacher. Ariel has a bachelor’s degree in Birth-Kindergarten Education from UNC Greensboro and holds a North Carolina Birth-Kindergarten teaching license.

Carly has been teaching young children for eleven years, and is in her eighth year at Greensboro Day School as a Bengal Tots (two- and three-year-olds) Homeroom Teacher. She received her bachelor’s degree from UNC Greensboro, with a Birth-Kindergarten Education and Special Education license. She also holds a master’s degree in Education from UNC Chapel Hill with a focus on Birth-Kindergarten, early intervention, and family support.

Creative Art Through Sensory Exploration

1 contact hour

Explore how sensory experiences can enhance creative expression in young children. Educators will learn simple, hands-on art techniques that engage the senses, support developmental milestones, and encourage open-ended exploration. Participants will leave with practical ideas, material suggestions, and confidence in creating meaningful, sensory-rich art experiences in the classroom.

Presenters: Bre Irving and Sharina Campbell

Bre is in her sixth year of teaching and third year as a Bengal Tots (two- and three-year-olds) Homeroom Teacher at Greensboro Day School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UNC Greensboro.

Sharina Campbell has been teaching for 12 years and is a current Bengal Tots (two- and three-year-olds) Assistant Teacher at Greensboro Day School. She holds a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood.

Loose Parts, Big Learning (Session 1 Only)

1 contact hour

This session introduces the power of loose parts—open-ended materials that can be moved, combined, redesigned, and repurposed in countless ways—to foster creativity, problem-solving, and flexible thinking in young children. Participants will explore why these materials are essential in early learning environments and how they support cognitive, social, and motor development. The session will highlight different types of loose parts, their benefits, common challenges, and practical solutions. Attendees will leave with ideas for designing engaging loose-parts spaces and strategies for observing and extending children’s thinking through play.

Presenter: Melissa Lehman

Melissa graduated from Meredith College with degrees in Child Development and Psychology. She received her Birth-Kindergarten teaching license from UNC Greensboro. Melissa is in her 21st year teaching and 14th year as a Junior Kindergarten (four- and five-year-olds) Homeroom Teacher at Greensboro Day School. As an advocate for young children, she creates a supportive learning environment where children develop a sense of trust, build a positive self-concept, engage in meaningful activities, and acquire new skills.

Space Matters: Setting Up Your Environment for All Students

1 contact hour

This session invites you to explore the critical role physical space plays in supporting young children’s learning and well-being. Participants will take a guided walk-through of each grade level to observe room design in action, noting how layout, materials, and intentional choices shape children’s experiences. The session will also highlight the balance between quiet and active areas, along with thoughtful design and color palettes that create calm, engaging, and developmentally supportive environments.

Presenter: Emilee Transou

Emilee has spent the past 25 years working with young children and is now in her 15th year at Greensboro Day School, where she serves as the Preschool Assistant Director and Music & Movement Teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a Master of Education degree (Birth-Kindergarten license). Emilee is also an adjunct instructor at UNC Greensboro, teaching classes with an emphasis on social and emotional development and curriculum.

Building Your Classroom Community (Session 1 Only)

1 contact hour

This session focuses on building a strong, connected classroom community where students feel valued, seen, and heard. Through interactive activities, you will explore ways to foster collaboration, empathy, and a sense of belonging among students. The session will also provide exposure to frameworks such as Responsive Classroom and Social Thinking, highlighting strategies that support social-emotional growth and positive relationships. Participants will leave with practical ideas to cultivate a classroom culture where every child feels included and empowered.

Presenters: Michelle Browning and Leslie Eckle

A smiling woman with long blonde hair stands in front of a blurred green background, appearing to be outdoors.

Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from UNC-Greensboro. She brings over 20 years of experience to the classroom, with the last eight as a Junior Kindergarten Homeroom Teacher at Greensboro Day School

Leslie has a degree in Early Childhood Education from The Ohio State University. Leslie has been a Junior Kindergarten Homeroom Teacher at Greensboro Day School for five years. She is also a certified yoga instructor.

Building the Brain and Body for Success

1 contact hour

In this session, participants will discover the significant impact physical skills and activity have on the brain. You will walk away with strategies for building a learning environment where movement is welcome, and you’ll receive practical takeaways for using simple steps to engage children’s minds and bodies in large- and small-group learning.

Presenter: Suzanne Billips

Suzanne holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Wingate University and an M.Ed. in Reading Education from UNC Charlotte. She has experience teaching in classroom settings and serving as a Reading Specialist, and for the past seven years has worked as a Learning Support Coordinator at Greensboro Day School.

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