As adults, we often say things like, “we don’t run in the hallways.” (while children are, indeed, running in the hallway). Or “no thank you.” “Use your words.” This session for early childhood educations will teach you why those aren’t the most helpful, as well as other ways to communicate more effectively.

Thanks to generous funding from By5 Muncie and their partner ECI TRAC, this session valued at $25 is free for all early childhood educators in East Central Indiana, regardless of PLI membership status.

This session is virtual only.

Register Here!

Session Description:
In today’s mental health-aware workplace, leaders are called to embody both empathy and clarity—leading with heart and backbone. This 90-minute session offers practical tools and reflective dialogue to help leaders navigate the tension between compassion and accountability. Participants will explore how to set boundaries without losing connection, respond to emotional challenges with integrity, and foster a culture of psychological safety while maintaining clarity of expectations. Through vignettes, guided exercises, and peer exchange, leaders will leave with renewed confidence to lead with both courage and care.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify key principles of compassionate accountability and understand how they apply to leadership in emotionally complex environments.

2. Practice communication strategies that balance empathy with clarity when setting expectations, giving feedback, or navigating difficult conversations.

3. Develop a personalized leadership approach that supports mental health awareness while maintaining team performance and psychological safety.

Cost: $25

Register here: Nonprofit Support Network - Shafer Leadership Academy

Behavior communicates needs. Being able to distinguish between developmentally appropriate actions and those behaviors that might suggest there are deeper issues is crucial. This session will help teachers identify and manage challenging behaviors while minimizing problems, whether they're typical or more serious. We'll also explore evidence-based strategies for circle time and transitions, focusing on age-appropriate practices to reduce behavior issues. Attendees will learn practical techniques, practice them, and receive feedback, equipping them to enhance classroom management with ease.

ONLINE and in-person at the By5 Professional Learning Institute. Register here: Addressing Challenging Behaviors Pt. 1 (constantcontactpages.com)

Getting kids to listen is crucial in the classroom, and building strong connections daily is a key preventive technique. This session will teach you how to quickly establish these connections, making it easier to guide students through routines and expectations. Additionally, you'll learn a powerful tool where students listen and respond to your words—by mastering Effective Instruction Delivery (EID), high-probability commands, and behavior momentum. By combining these strategies, you can enhance classroom management and create an environment where students are engaged and responsive.

ONLINE only. Register here: Connection and Instruction: Your Two Biggest Tools for the Classroom (constantcontactpages.com)

Bringing awareness to suicide and how we can intervene is one effective strategy to minimize these tragedies from happening in our community. Come join us for a brief, but powerful, evening of remembering, loving, and learning together as a community.