Events

Hands-On Events That Inspire Professional Growth

Discovery Professional Learning is driven by the passion to deliver professional development experiences for early learning professionals that enhance the inspiring work they do.

We have six core values that anchor the work we do; curiosity, reflection, collaboration, emergent practice, sustainability, joy. 

Not only do we deliver these values through our in-person and virtual training programs, Discovery Professional Learning also holds curated events where we provide inspiring, Nature-Based, comprehensive professional development opportunities for all levels of educators, executives and program administrators. 

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Check out some of our upcoming, and past, events

Filter by Year
April 11 - May 23 2024
April 11, 2024 6:30-8pm & May 23, 2024 6:30-8pm

Understanding Professional Friendships and Communities of Practice

Dufferin County

Using the research from Dr. Diane Kashin we will help you find easy, attainable solutions to burnout, low morale, and feeling overwhelmed that will contribute to a community of belonging, well-being, engagement and expression. These sessions will be filled with networking, interactive learning, and opportunities where we will explore the ways we can build a community of mentorship, communities of practice, and practice. What does it mean to be a professional friend and why is it important? This workshop is relevant to educators and leaders who are struggling to find ways to create a cohesive community within any early childhood setting. If you feel overwhelmed and burnt out, these ideas will help you find new strategies to support reflective practice and bring belonging, well-being, engagement and expression into each and every day.

April 2024

April 2024 Cohort: Nature-Based Educator Course

Online

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Register today!

This 12 month, fully online course is designed to provide participants with the theory, skills, and practicum opportunities to be equipped with the necessary skills to safely operate a Nature-Based program in many early learning settings. 

The components of this course include:

  • Online, learn at your own pace modules
  • Research-based assignments
  • Hands-on practicum requirements
  • Real-time feedback from facilitators on all course components and assignments
March 2024
March 2, 2024

What is Pedagogy and Pedagogical Documentation?

Borden Family Resource Centre

A comprehensive half-day professional learning session tailored for Borden Family Resource Services focusing on "What is Pedagogy and Pedagogical Documentation?" This session delves into the core concepts of pedagogy, exploring its theoretical underpinnings and practical applications within early childhood education. This session will provide insights into pedagogical approaches that foster optimal learning experiences for children. Moreover, the session equips attendees with strategies for effective pedagogical documentation, empowering them to observe, assess, and reflect on children's learning journeys. Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, participants emerge with a deeper understanding of pedagogy's role in nurturing children's development and promoting meaningful learning experiences.

February 1 - July 31 2024
February -July, 2024

Pedagogical Consultation

Andrew Fleck Children’s Services Home Child Care Consultant Leadership Team

Discovery Professional Learning is offering specialized pedagogical consultation services tailored to the Andrew Fleck Children's Services Home Child Care Consultant Team. These services aim to support and enhance the team's pedagogical approaches and practices within licensed home-based childcare settings. Through personalized consultations, Discovery Professional Learning collaborates with Andrew Fleck Children's Services to foster effective communication strategies, implement innovative systems and structures, and cultivate a strong workplace morale. By leveraging expertise and evidence-based practices, we will empower the team to optimize their educational impact and ensure positive outcomes for children, families, and educators.

February 22 - April 4 2024

Diving into Communities of Practice

Chatham-Kent

Using the research from Dr. Diane Kashin we will help you find easy, attainable solutions to burnout, low morale, and feeling overwhelmed that will contribute to a community of belonging, well-being, engagement and expression. These sessions will be filled with networking, interactive learning, and opportunities where we will explore the ways we can build a community of mentorship, communities of practice, and practice. What does it mean to be a professional friend and why is it important? This workshop is relevant to educators and leaders who are struggling to find ways to create a cohesive community within any early childhood setting. If you feel overwhelmed and burnt out, these ideas will help you find new strategies to support reflective practice and bring belonging, well-being, engagement and expression into each and every day. 

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January 2024

January 2024 Cohort: Nature-Based Educator Course

Online

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 

Register today!

This 12 month, fully online course is designed to provide participants with the theory, skills, and practicum opportunities to be equipped with the necessary skills to safely operate a Nature-Based program in many early learning settings. 

The components of this course include:

  • Online, learn at your own pace modules
  • Research-based assignments
  • Hands-on practicum requirements
  • Real-time feedback from facilitators on all course components and assignments
January - December 2024

Mentorship Communities of Practice

County of Chatham-Kent

Discovery Professional Learning fosters the values, skills and dispositions of mentorship through a virtual meeting place for educators to gather and share ideas. This virtual space cultivates a sense of belonging and community amongst all educators in Chatham-Kent. It responds to the desires of feeling like we are a part of a bigger mission and community that is responsive to the needs of our time and context. Educators will engage in topics meaningful and important such as diversity, equity, and inclusion and create critical spaces for thought.

December - June 2024

Tilt Toward Connection

Andrew Fleck Children’s Services, Home Child Care Consultant Team (Ottawa)

 A virtual series that has cultivated connection, purpose, and relationships for the EarlyON community with Andrew Fleck Children’s Services. We have used online virtual modules and Zoom gatherings that “tilts towards connection” to co-construct meaning in our experiences and connect the community to a bigger mission.

 

November 2023

NOVEMBER COHORT: Nature-Based Educator Course

Online

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. 

Register today!

This 12 month, fully online course is designed to provide participants with the theory, skills, and practicum opportunities to be equipped with the necessary skills to safely operate a Nature-Based program in many early learning settings. 

The components of this course include:

  1. Online, learn at your own pace modules
  2. Research-based assignments
  3. Hands-on practicum requirements
  4. Real-time feedback from facilitators on all course components and assignments
November 16 - November 17 2023

System-Wide Professional Learning Days

The Early Childhood Development Association (ECDA) of Prince Edward Island

Keynote: Cultivating pedagogical and passionate cultures. How pedagogy can (re)ignite our spark. 

An interactive and engaging keynote presented by two facilitators: Karen Eilersen (RECE, Forest School Practitioner, Director Discovery Child Care, Co-founder Discovery professional learning) and Jessica Holder (RECE, BSc, Forest School Practitioner, Pedagogical Leader Discovery Child Care, Co-founder Discovery Professional learning.)

This keynote will include a powerpoint presentation and an interactive storytelling approach that will provide educators inspiration and an understanding as to how our pedagogical values and our personal why is the roadmap to reigniting our professional and personal spark. We will provide an interplay of theory and practice that is relevant to those working in all early learning contexts within your specific context and landscape. These ideas will be relevant and meaningful to act as a springboard for cultivating individuals to feel a sense of value and well-being.

Breakout #1 (Facilitated by Jessica Holder)

The lessons we learn from pedagogy. How can we lead with pedagogy in all that we do? 

Breakout #2 (Facilitated by Karen Eilersen)

How transforming our cultures can impact how we ALL experience workplace well-being and support recruitment and retention. 

Breakout #3 (Facilitated by Karen Eilersen):  

Connecting with outdoor play and its relationship to resilience for adults and children.

Breakout #4 (Facilitated by: Jessica Holder)

We are all leaders…now what?  How to foster well-being in a world of overload

September 2023

SEPTEMBER COHORT: Nature-Based Educator Course

Online

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. 

Register today!

This 12 month, fully online course is designed to provide participants with the theory, skills, and practicum opportunities to be equipped with the necessary skills to safely operate a Nature-Based program in many early learning settings. 

The components of this course include:

  1. Online, learn at your own pace modules
  2. Research-based assignments
  3. Hands-on practicum requirements
  4. Real-time feedback from facilitators on all course components and assignments
November 13 2023

Full Professional Learning Day

Andrew Fleck Children’s Services
  • In-person Professional Learning Day with keynotes, breakout sessions, and documentation studies. 
  • This day will provide educators with opportunities to deepen their understanding of Pedagogy, the processes of pedagogical documentation, The values of “How does learning happen?”, play based and inquiry based learning, and the role of the child, educator, environment, and materials.
March - December 2023

Pedagogical Consultation

County of St.Thomas-Elgin
  • As pedagogical consultants we will use protocols and leadership prompts to guide the group conversations to the desired outcomes, and support the project lead to translate this into a clear vision of mentorship for 2023 and beyond. 
  • Our research based pedagogical consulting will support the project lead, “To work collaboratively with Children’s Services, the Discovery/Advisory group and child care organizations. They will build and nurture effective and collaborative networks and relationships with communities of practice, colleagues, and stakeholders to organize focus groups, gather data, develop resources, and lead collective learning communities towards the development of a strategic mentoring plan.” (Spriggs, 2023). 
March - December 2023

Virtual Communities of Practice

County of Lambton & Chatham-Kent
  • Discovery Professional Learning will use this space to foster the values, skills and dispositions of mentorship through a virtual meeting place for educators to gather and share ideas. This virtual community of practice is accessible 24/7 to all educators to ask questions and share ideas.
  • A place to reconceptualize what it means to be in a community of practice. This virtual space cultivates a sense of belonging and community amongst all educators in Sarnia-Lambton and Chatham-Kent. It responds to the desires of feeling like we are a part of a bigger mission and community that is responsive to the needs of our time and context. It allows us to engage in topics meaningful and important such as diversity, equity, and inclusion and create critical spaces for thought.
May - December 2023

Deepening Pedagogical Practices Series

Simcoe Childcare Services, Innisfil
  • In person and virtual professional development series for all educators and leaders at Simcoe Childcare Services with a specific focus on growing pedagogical skills and understanding how our values impact our work. 


    This series is intended to grow a shared and deepened understanding of:

    1. What is Pedagogy? & Processes of pedagogical documentation,
    2. Exploring Values Driven work & Values of HDLH 
    3. Exploring Image our image of the child (and play)
    4. Exploring role of the educator, environment & materials
May 15 2023

System wide PL day AM and PM Breakout sessions

County of Chatham-Kent
  • Our Interactive breakout sessions will allow educators to understand the “why” of nature based pedagogy and the connection it has to educators and children's mental health and resiliency. 
  • We will create a space for educators to connect these ideas to their programs and How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s pedagogy for the early years. We will create supporting opportunities to make connections to personal and professional values and the ways this can derive new meaning in their work, their personal well-being and belonging. 
  • Topics will include: 
  1. Igniting the Spark for Nature Based Learning. Understanding the why, how, and what of getting outside…Regardless of your location, budget and resources and,
  2. Using environmental education to save and heal the planet. How to create an inclusive and sustainable program with children from infants to school age.
April - October 2023

How can I be a leader while being a supervisor? - Series

The Early Childhood Development Association (ECDA) of Prince Edward Island
  • Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of virtual learning encounters. We will examine the paradigms and discourses that contribute to our beliefs around leadership in the early learning sector. Through this cyclical model participants will have the opportunity to reflect, discuss, challenge and practice new skills. 


    Topics will include: 

    1. Leading From Values and Intention and Cultivating Culture,
    2. Understanding Accountability and Compliance through the lens of Pedagogy, 
    3. Deepening our understanding of Pedagogical Leadership.
April - October 2023

How can I be a leader while being a supervisor? Series

County of Lambton & Chatham-Kent
  • Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of virtual learning encounters through a social constructivist lens. We will examine the paradigms and discourses that contribute to our beliefs around leadership in the early learning sector. We will think alongside leaders, examine new perspectives, and reflect on our aspirations in Early Years Programs. 
  • Through this cyclical model participants will have the opportunity to reflect, discuss, challenge and practice new skills.
  • Topics will include: 
  1. Leading From Values and Intention
  2. Cultivating Culture
  3. Understanding accountability and Compliance
  4. Pedagogical Leadership
March - November 2023

Deepening Pedagogical Practices Series

Andrew Fleck Children’s Services

This series is intended to grow a shared and deepened understanding of:

  1. Pedagogy,
  2. Processes of pedagogical documentation,
  3. The values of “How does learning happen?”
  4. Play based and inquiry based learning
  5. The role of the child, educator, environment, and materials.
March - June 2023

How does learning happen 101 series

County of Lambton & Chatham-Kent
  • A virtual series for educators and leaders to reorient themselves with the values of HDLH and consider the ways that this can be (re)woven into our practice.
  • This will create a co-constructed space for early learning to understand the foundations of the pedagogical framework and how it can derive meaning and belonging in their day to day practice as a new or second career educator. 
  • This series will help leaders in their pursuits of training and supporting educators with the values of HDLH.
March 8 2023

Virtual Professional Learning 2023 Kick Start Event

County of Lambton & Chatham-Kent
  • Virtual professional learning event to cultivate relationships, community, and belonging. This event is intended to share the values and desires of the professional learning work of the 2023 year within the County of Lambton and Chatham-Kent.  We will weave in values of mentorship into the event.
  • Creating spaces to understand our role in the bigger mission of professional learning and creating more livable futures through early learning professional learning encounters.
March 3 2023

Professional Learning Day: Cultivating a culture of wellness. How do the values of HDLH and nature based education support a thriving and sustainable society?

District of Thunder Bay
  • System wide professional Learning day. How do the values of nature based education support a thriving and sustainable society?
  • Keynote session will allow educators to understand the “why” of nature based pedagogy and the connection it has to educators and children's mental health and resiliency. 
  • We will create a space for educators to connect these ideas to their programs and How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s pedagogy for the early years. 
  • Two interactive breakout sessions that will overview: Connecting with outdoor play and its relationship to resilience for adults and children and we are all leaders…now what?  How to foster well-being in a world of overload.

 

February 25 2023

Outdoor Winter Conference

Simcoe County
  • An in person full day conference for educators to think about the skills and dispositions of mentorship.

  • This full day will consist of key-notes about the power of mentorship, small group facilitated breakout sessions, and small group hands-on experiences for educators to think about mentorship in new ways.

  • This day will connect educators together and connect themselves to the ideas and values of Nature Based education.

  • This work will be sponsored by the County of Simcoe as part of the Workforce Mentorship Strategic Funding.

 

 

January - March 2023

Play-Based & Emergent Curriculum

Simcoe County
  • A community of new educators engaging in thinking with play based and emergent pedagogies. Creating a space to understand the short and long term possibilities for their work in the field. Creating allyship with other new educators and creating a space for educators to learn and cultivate an understanding of their identity as an educator. This entry level offering will support people new to the field or those transitioning from other careers and will support leaders in their orientation practices.

  • This work will be sponsored by the County of Simcoe as part of the Workforce Mentorship Strategic Funding.

 

January - March 2023

Reigniting the Spark in Pedagogical Leadership

Simcoe County
  • Creating spaces for educators working in a leadership capacity or aspiring leaders looking to enhance their pedagogical sensibilities. Using critical reflection to reignite the spark in ourselves so we can lend that to others. Creating conditions for participants to generate new ways of working with meaningful pedagogies that respond to our context and derive new meaning in their work.

  • This work will be sponsored by the County of Simcoe as part of the Workforce Mentorship Strategic Funding.

September - January 2022

Tilt Toward Connection

Andrew Fleck Children’s Services, EarlyON (Ottawa)
  • A virtual series that has cultivated connection, purpose, and relationships for the EarlyON community with Andrew Fleck Children’s Services. We have used online virtual modules and Zoom gatherings that “tilts towards connection” to co-construct meaning in our experiences and connect the community to a bigger mission.

 

September 28 2022

Making Meaning of Mentorship Conference

Simcoe County
  • An in person full day conference for educators to think about the skills and dispositions of mentorship.

  • This full day consisted of key-notes about the power of mentorship, small group facilitated breakout sessions, and small group hands-on experiences for educators to think about mentorship in new ways.

  • This work was sponsored by the County of Simcoe as part of the Workforce Mentorship Strategic Funding.

 

 

October 2022 - Present

Ongoing Mentorship Communities of Practice

Dufferin County
  • Discovery Professional Learning has used this space to foster the values, skills and dispositions of mentorship through a virtual meeting place for educators to gather and share ideas. This virtual community of practice is accessible 24/7 to all educators to ask questions and share ideas.

  • A place to reconceptualize what it means to be in a community of practice. This virtual space cultivates a sense of belonging and community amongst all educators in Dufferin County. It responds to the desires of feeling like we are a part of a bigger mission and community that is responsive to the needs of our time and context. It has allowed us to engage in topics meaningful and important such as diversity, equity, and inclusion and create critical spaces for thought.

 

  • This work will be sponsored by Dufferin County as part of the Workforce Mentorship Strategic Funding.

 



 

 

 

October - November 2022

Image of the Child/Image of the Educator Modules

Dufferin County
  • Educators across Dufferin County have registered and completed learn at your own pace modules that provide opportunities for critical thinking, reflection, and generating new practices that align with the goals and desires outlined in How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the early years.

  • This work was sponsored by Dufferin County as part of the Workforce Mentorship Strategic Funding.

 

 

October - November 2022

Bringing Program Statements to life and Rethinking Annual Reviews

Simcoe County
  • A virtual series that had 2 online learn at your own pace modules and two virtual Zoom sessions.

  • A co-constructed space for leaders to reconsider the systems and structures we use to cultivate engagement and belonging in early learning programs. What could new structures and systems look like that cultivate a sense of community and belonging through our program’s guiding documents?

  • Supported leaders to navigate ways to co-construct their center’s Program Statement with their team.

  • Supported leaders to navigate ways to breathe life into their foundational documents in new and innovative ways.

  • Supported leaders in understanding the values and bigger mission that anchors their work and the ways to anchor their systems in a values driven approach.

  • This work was sponsored by the County of Simcoe as part of the Workforce Mentorship Strategic Funding.

 

July 2022 - Present

Ongoing Mentorship Communities of Practice

Simcoe County
  • Discovery Professional Learning is facilitating virtual communities of practice for ECE students, New grads, multi-gen educators, growing leaders, and pedagogical leaders within Simcoe County.

  • Discovery professional learning is using a virtual platform to cultivate mentorship relationships amongst the community so that we have stable and sustainable conditions for all.

  • These spaces are accessible 24/7 for educators to login and connect with others, build relationships, and a sense of community within this context.

  • This work will be sponsored by the County of Simcoe as part of the Workforce Mentorship Strategic Funding.

 

 

 

July - November 2022

How Does Learning REALLY Happen?

Simcoe County
  •  A virtual series provided for educators in Simcoe County to reflect upon emergent curriculum, their image of the child, image of the educator, critically examining space, and ethical pedagogy.

  • This series had five online learn at your own pace modules and ten virtual Zoom sessions that allowed educators to think critically together about their pedagogical practices and set intentions to mobilize new desires into their work.

  • This work was sponsored by the County of Simcoe as part of the Workforce Mentorship Strategic Funding.

July - October 2022

How Can I Be a Leader while Being a Supervisor? (Leadership Series)

Simcoe County
  • A virtual series to support educators and leaders to grow values driven leadership and mentorship skills and dispositions.

  • This series covered the topics of: Leading from a place of vision and values, our collective roles in cultivating culture, thinking critically about accountability and compliance, and understanding the personal journey of pedagogical leadership.

  • This virtual series consisted of four online learn at your own pace modules and eight virtual gatherings. These spaces allowed for educators to take theory and reflect with their practice, generate new protocols and practices to support a thriving pedagogical culture, and grow their mentorship skills and dispositions.

  • This work was sponsored by the County of Simcoe as part of the Workforce Mentorship Strategic Funding.

 

July - October 2022

How Does Learning Happen 101

Simcoe County
  • A virtual series provided for new educators across Simcoe County to reflect deeply about Ontario’s Pedagogy for the early years: How Does Learning Happen?

  • This series had 5 readings and 5 virtual gatherings where educators could gain comfortability, passion, and excitement with this guiding pedagogical framework. This series gestured us towards seeing the ways in which this values driven document can guide us in living well together.

  • This work was sponsored by the County of Simcoe as part of the Workforce Mentorship Strategic Funding.

June 2022

CNCP Annual Conference: Connecting with Outdoor Play and It’s Relationship with Resilience for Adults and Children

Community Network of Child Care Programs-Greater Toronto Area
  • Two hour in-person breakout session presented for their annual conference for 250-300 educators working in the Greater Toronto Area. Our breakout session will be a part of their larger goals of resilience and mental health for children and educators.
  • Our focus will be on the ways that outdoor play connects to How Does Learning Happen? and connects to supporting children with moving through stress and developing resiliency.
April 2022

Studying Environments - In collaboration with Ellen Brown

Bayview Glen Independent School (Greater Toronto Area)
  • In collaboration with Ellen Brown we presented a virtual study tour and examination of our Nature-Based values, ethos, and environment. We created a virtual presentation for educators to examine alternative ways that we can co-create environments with children.
February 2022

My Role In Cultivating An Ecological Identity

Community Network of Child Care Programs- Greater Toronto Area
January - March 2022

The Why/How/What of Nature Based Pedagogy

EarlyON Simcoe County
  • To cultivate a sense of confidence, competence and community among early childhood leaders in order to effectively lead a team of educators and maintain compliance within a licensed child care setting.
  • Used online learning modules, virtual community of practice, thinking ally (mentoring pairs), and online discussion support groups. These groups were together on a seven-month journey to grow their skills specifically to Natured-Based Education.
September - November 2021

Three Part Nature Based Series

Canada Wide: Play Outdoors Magazine
  • Three-part series focusing on Cultivating an Ecological Identity, Mud Kitchens, and Gardening with Children.
  • These virtual, interactive workshops focused on the skills and dispositions necessary for intentional outdoor learning through storytelling, small group conversations and hands-on experiential opportunities. Participants explored what is meant by the values that drive Nature-Based pedagogy. We created conditions for educators to critically examine their spaces and consider adaptations using pedagogical tools and examine core routines for nature connection including rituals and routines that evoke Nature connection.
April - November 2021

How Can I Be A Leader While Being A Supervisor?

Simcoe County
  • To cultivate a sense of confidence, competence and community among early childhood leaders in order to effectively lead a team of educators and maintain compliance within a licensed child care setting.
  • Used online learning modules, virtual community of practice, thinking ally (mentoring pairs), and online discussion support groups. These groups are together on a seven-month journey to grow their leadership capacities.
March - December 2021

How Does Learning Really Happen? How Do We Think About Learning

Simcoe County
  • Throughout the year, participants had the opportunity to engage in a variety of virtual learning encounters through a social constructivist lens. We examine theories, paradigms and discourses that exist within the Early Learning Sector. Through this work we held a strong image of educators that see themselves as optimistic critical thinkers.
  • Comprised of online learning modules, virtual community critical dialogue, pedagogical documentation studies, and community fireside gatherings with community contributors (ie. An artist to visit our work on environments-offering in their perspectives to our work).
October - November 2020

Skills and Dispositions for Intentional Outdoor Play

Simcoe County
  • Hybrid online community of practice with interactive modules and Zoom meetings to support educators in their pedagogical approaches to outdoor play and our roles in cultivating an ecological identity.
August 2020

Navigating a Pandemic: Reimagining Our Programs in COVID Times

Discovery Child Care Staff
  • Month long in person training for Discovery Child Care educators to re-enter programs after a six-month closure.
  • Reimagined organization with new values, pedagogical aspirations, and regulations.
May - June 2020

Tilt Towards Connection: Our Experiences in COVID Times

Simcoe County
  • Online community of practice hosted for educators to engage in pedagogical ways of being.
  • Supported professionals as they reimagined programs through the time of COVID.
February 2020

Embracing the Wonders of Winter Conference (100 Educators)

Simcoe County
  • Hosted at Discovery Child Care Centre
  • Full day conference outside connecting to HOW programs can flourish outside regardless of the weather
  • Key Note address
  • Engaging, hands on experiences for educators
September 2019

The Wonder's of Fall Conference (100 Educators)

Simcoe County
  • Hosted at Discovery Child Care Centre
  • Key Note Address
  • Full day four-part interactive sessions
  • Connection with our Local Barrie Native Friendship Centre
August - June 2018

Joy of Childhood Conference (100 Educators)

York Region
  • Hosted at Discovery Child Care Centre
  • Key Note Address
  • Small-group interactive breakout sessions
pedagogical-documentation-cover-sm

Your Guide to Pedagogical Documentation

Pedagogical Documentation is the process of making learning visible via taking photos of the learning process, saving artwork, videoing action, making notices and recording voice, and then using that documentation purposefully.