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There is an energy that fills a room when hundreds of early childhood educators gather in one place. You can hear it in the rapid exchange of ideas over morning coffee, feel it in the spontaneous nods of agreement during keynotes, and see it in raised hands and rapt attention during sessions. 

Gathering together for targeted, high-quality training does far more than check a professional development box—it reignites passion, strengthens community, drives results, and ultimately moves the needle on educational outcomes across our entire state. 

In July, more than 500 early childhood educators from across Louisiana gathered in Lafayette to reignite their passion ahead of the 2026-27 school year. Hosted by Prime Time Head Start, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities’ early childhood education program, the three-day conference brought educators together to get important Head Start updates, learn methods for connecting with children and families, and connect with others who share a common mission. 

“The LHSA Annual Conference is more than a professional development event; it is an opportunity for early childhood leaders and educators to come together with a shared purpose,” said Michelle Joubert, LHSA president. “This year’s conference highlighted innovative practices, fostered meaningful collaboration, and reinforced our commitment to ensuring every child has access to high-quality early learning experiences. The enthusiasm and dedication displayed by participants demonstrated the strength of Louisiana’s early childhood workforce and its unwavering focus on supporting children and families.” 

The Human Connection 

As a humanities council operating in the age of webinars and remote-learning, the LEH believes that human connection is essential. Afterall, early childhood education is deeply human. Educators teach our youngest learners how to navigate emotions, comprehend language, and understand the world. 

These endeavors align perfectly with the work of a humanities organization, which supports programming that examines how people make sense of that same world through language, history, and thought. When the LEH launched its first Head Start program in 2016, it was with the long-term goal of creating a more literate, engaged future citizenry for Louisiana. Today, Prime Time Head Start serves five parishes in both north and south Louisiana, combining a humanistic approach with strong data collection and evaluation to establish a new standard for results for Head Start children and their families. 

Connections between educators are important as well. Coming together in person to share ideas builds a network of adults, both across the state and in local communities, who are uniquely qualified to rally around our youngest learners. 

Evidence-based Strategies 

The Prime Time team planned conference sessions focused on topics such as strengthening teacher-child interactions, understanding autism, facility safety, building trust with families, early language and literacy development, and managing the mountain of data required from Head Start providers. 

Focused training on key issues educators are likely to face during the school year leads to being better prepared, helps set plans in place, and equips educators with tools to provide high-quality instruction. 

“Early childhood educators are not just caregivers. Comprehensive training equips teachers with evidence-based instructional strategies,” said Dena Thomas, director of Prime Time Head Start in Acadiana and the chair of this year’s conference. “Moreover, structured professional development helps educators navigate complex classroom dynamics, foster inclusive environments, and partner effectively with families to build a strong bridge between home and school.”  

Making an Impact in all 64 Parishes 

Perhaps the biggest impact of gathering so many educators in one place is the opportunity to share knowledge and encourage growth across Louisiana.  

Early childhood educators are among our most vital workers, but their contributions are often undervalued. Gathering them together sends the message that their work is essential and deserving of investment. It also provides for the exchange of ideas: a veteran teacher shares tried-and-true strategies with a new teacher, who in turn shares a fresh approach. And all of this happens across parish lines. 

“Whether you’re located in North Louisiana, or here in Acadiana, we are all facing the same challenges,” Thomas said. “Gathering around professional development sessions that help us address those challenges, while also learning from and making connections with our colleagues from across the state, builds a stronger network of professionals dedicated to moving the needle for Louisiana families enrolled in Head Start programs.” 

The LEH’s approach to education emphasizes access for all, whether for parents and caregivers through intergenerational family literacy programs, professional development for our state’s educators, or by providing high-quality Head Start services for our state’s youngest learners. Through Prime Time, we seek to create pathways for life-long learning for every generation, from every walk of life, and in all 64 Louisiana parishes.