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CONFERENCE

LEAD! Regional Training Series

LEAD! Regional Training Series

How Exceptional Leaders Grow!

Exceptional growth doesn’t happen by chance…it’s a deliberate, ongoing journey that every leader Embarks on alongside their team. This LEAD! cycle equips leaders with strategies, mindsets, and practical tools to foster growth within themselves, their teams, and their programs.

LEAD! DETAILS

About LEAD!

LEAD! is a premier regional training series held across the country in the summer, fall, and winter seasons, designed to bring two days of high-quality, affordable professional development directly to early childhood leaders and educators. 

Featuring nationally respected trainers and carefully curated sessions, LEAD! delivers relevant, practical, and meaningful content tailored for both administrators and staff. These sessions are crafted to meet the real needs of real people in the ECE community, making LEAD! an essential stop on your professional growth journey.

This year’s theme, How Exceptional Leaders Grow, focuses on the intentional pursuit of growth. Exceptional leadership doesn’t happen by chance—it’s built through deliberate action and a commitment to continuous improvement. LEAD! 2025 equips participants with actionable strategies, forward-thinking mindsets, and practical tools to foster growth within themselves, their teams, and their programs. Embark on this transformative journey and discover how to lead with greater purpose and impact! 

Which Group Do I Belong To?

  • Leaders: Includes owners, executive leaders, administrators, directors, assistant directors, and coordinators.
  • Classroom Teachers: Includes teachers involved in implementing classroom programming.

Where can I contact an organizer with questions?
Email us at [email protected] or call 512-301-5557. 

Can I update my registration information?
Yes, you can update your registration information at any time! Just email [email protected] for assistance.

Presence of Children
Our events are often blended with family vacations, and we encourage and celebrate that! However, in our on-going effort to provide a professional education training experience and out of respect for our trainers and attendees, we do not allow children to be in our training sessions, panel discussions, or networking events. Attendees will need to make arrangements for child care during these times. Please select agree to acknowledge that you understand and will honor this policy.

 

2025 LEAD! Schedule

 Meet the Training Team!

LORI BUXTON

Lori has been part of the early care and education community since 1995.  She has served on many levels, including classroom teacher, Program Director, Executive Administrator, and Training Consultant.  Lori is a dynamic speaker who encourages and inspires; challenges and equips; and whose heart is deeply committed to supporting those who serve young children and their families. Lori is the Managing Director of the Association for Early Learning Leaders and speaks/trains regionally and nationally. She has served on many ECE advisory committees including the Sesame Street Communities PD Virtual Advisory and has been a featured speaker on HiMama’s Preschool Podcast.

 

LYNETTE GALANTE

Lynette is the Executive Director and Owner of Future Generation Early Learning Centers in New Jersey. She has supervised several early care and education programs in Texas, New York and New Jersey for the past 17 years. Lynette is also a trainer and consultant, serving as a resource for early childhood programs across the country. Along with being President of New Jersey Child Care Association, Lynette proudly serves as President for the national organization Association for Early Learning Leaders.

 

2025 Guest Presenters

TYM SMITH

Tym Smith began working in the Early Childhood Development field in 1986. After spending more than five years in the classroom, he advanced to fill various positions including Education Specialist, Director, and Regional Director. Over the past 15 years, Tym has spent thousands of hours training staff and management across the country at local and national conferences. In 2007, Tym started “Tym the Trainer”, a training company dedicated to quality and diversity for child-care programs. Tym is the owner of six early education programs in Texas and is a two-term past president of the Texas Licensed Child Care Association. Tym is a member of the Texas Trainers Registry and currently serves on the board of directors for the Association for Early Learning Leaders. Tym is also a Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor.

 

 

LEAD! Pricing

2025 Pricing

Member Non-Member

Leader Registration 

Includes 8 training hours of administrative training at a reduced rate for active AELL members.

$179 $279

Leader Registration + Membership Bundle

Includes 8 training hours of administrative training at a reduced AELL member rate and an AELL Standard Plus membership for 12 months
$309  N/A

Teacher Registration 

Includes 4 training hours of child/professional development training
 $55  N/A

CEUs

CEUs are offered for every session at no additional cost. The Association for Early Learning Leaders has partnered with Stalwart-Genesis to provide Continuing Education Units for conference attendees.

 

GROUP RATES

Groups of 4 or more (a combination of Leaders & Staff allowed) are eligible for a 10% group discount. Enter your discount code at checkout in the Promo Code box. The entire group must be registered at the same time to be eligible for the discount. Previous registrations or later registrations will not be eligible for the discount. Please contact Jessica Bell, Member & Event Services Specialist, at [email protected] to confirm your group and receive the discount code. 

 

 

LEAD! Savannah

Event Location

Georgia Tech – Savannah
210 Technology Circle
Savannah, GA 3140

 

Click Here To Register For LEAD! Savannah

LEAD! Washington

 

More Information Coming Soon!

LEAD! Seattle

 

More Information Coming Soon!

LEAD! Milwaukee

 

More Information Coming Soon!

LEAD! Tempe

 

More Information Coming Soon!

LEAD! Manchester

 

More Information Coming Soon!

LEAD! Nashville

 

More Information Coming Soon!

LEAD! Reno

 

Event Location

Truckee Meadows Community College
7000 Dandini Blvd.
Reno, Nevada 89512-3999

 

Click Here To Register For LEAD! Reno

The Association for Early Learning Leaders is committed to excellence in the field of early childhood care and education by promoting leadership development and enhancing program quality.

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