Spring Conference 2026

High-Tech, High-Touch: Balancing Innovation with Heart

Natick High School - 15 West St #2, Natick, MA 01760

Date: April 18, 2026 | Time: 8:00 doors open - 4:00pm

Thank you for your interest in presenting our MAAEYC Conference. This form may be used to submit your workshop presentation request. Each presentation requires a separate submission. *Please note: If selected as a presenter, we may duplicate some of these questions on your registration to streamline our forms.

Overview

The Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children (MAAEYC) invites early childhood professionals to submit proposals for our conference. As we gather under the theme "High-Tech, High-Touch: Balancing Innovation with Heart " we'd like to keep in mind that early childhood education is at a crossroads. As artificial intelligence and digital tools reshape our world, the "heart" of our work—human connection, empathy, and play—is more important than ever.

Our conference brings together over 200 early childhood educators, administrators, researchers, and advocates from across Massachusetts to share innovative practices, research-based strategies, and inspiring success stories that advance the field of early childhood education. We are seeking proposals that reflect the diversity of our field and demonstrate a commitment to high-quality early education and care for all children from birth through age 8.

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The Creative Vision: The Four Pillars
The conference is designed to show that technology does not replace the "Heart" of early childhood education—it protects it.

1. Smart Systems (Efficiency for Educators): This track focuses on the "High-Tech" tools that simplify the lives of teachers. It’s about using AI, automation, and digital platforms to reclaim time for teaching.

Presenter Focus: Experts in AI for administrative tasks, digital documentation, and parent-teacher communication platforms.  How can we use technology to reclaim our time?

The Goal: Moving from "busy work" to "brain work."

2. Wellness & Balance (Sustainability): This category addresses the "High-Touch" element of educator sustainability. It explores how to maintain mental health, prevent burnout, and find balance in a digitally demanding world.  How do we stay grounded in a digital age?

Presenter Focus: Specialists in educator self-care, mindfulness for teachers, and strategies for setting boundaries between work and technology.

The Goal: Caring for the caregiver so they can care for the children.

3. Meaningful Connections (Relationship): Technology should bridge gaps, not create them. This track explores how innovation can enhance the emotional bond between teachers, students, and families.  How does technology serve empathy?

Presenter Focus: Experts in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), relationship-based teaching, and using video or tech to support family engagement and cultural responsiveness.

The Goal: Ensuring technology serves as a tool for empathy, not a barrier to it.  

4. Inclusive Innovation (Equity): This track ensures that "High-Tech" doesn't mean "Exclusionary." It focuses on using technology to support diverse learners, including those with neurodivergence or different linguistic backgrounds.  How do we ensure no child is left behind by progress?

Presenter Focus: Specialists in Assistive Technology (AT), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and closing the "digital divide" for low-income or marginalized communities.

The Goal: Making sure innovation benefits every child, regardless of their starting point.

Please note that all proposals are due by February 11th

We will notify you of acceptance by February 20th

Agenda for the Day

8:00 AM | Doors open

8:15 AM | Registration

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM | Keynote Speaker

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Morning Sessions

12:00 PM -1:00 PM | Lunch

1:15 PM - 2:45 PM | Afternoon Sessions

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Awards and Closure

Conference presenters are expected to pay for any travel and hotel accommodation and arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of their session. 

Classrooms are equipped with a whiteboard, projector and classroom style seating. Please bring any cords you may need to hook up your computer to the projector/smartboard. This would include HDMI, chargers, etc. 

You are also required to bring anything you need to run your session; special requests for water or things like that may not be accomodated.

We ask that if you move the desks/chairs that you return them to their original set up upon leaving. Presenters who present in kind will receive a complimentary registration for one person. If presenters receive an honorarium and want to attend any sessions you will need to register using the reduced presenter rate.

If you have any questions or require further clarification, please feel free to email info@maaeyc.org