Official McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University account. We elevate the early childhood profession.
Joined November 2010
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New research note ⬇️
"Bridging Competency Gaps: A Career Stage Approach to Administrative Leadership Development in Early Childhood Center Administrators"
Read our latest research: buff.ly/OQG3ETg
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Save the Date for Leadership Connections 2027: May 19 - 21, in Schaumburg, IL!
We invite you to join us next year, once again at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel. Our 2027 theme is "Leading in Harmony: Creating Rhythms of Trust, Collaboration, and Growth."
ALT Leadership Connections May 19-21, 2027, Schaumburg, IL
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Are you a new or emerging early childhood leader and not sure where to start with the business side of running your program?
Aim4Excellence Module 5: Building a Sound Business Strategy is designed for you!
Learn more about the module: buff.ly/KH6NrWB
ALT Early Childhood Leader standing in office. Aim4Excellence logo.
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Learn more about Aim4Excellence, the 9-module eLearning program for early childhood leaders: buff.ly/xyjngkK
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You may feel overwhelmed, inspired, or fatigued. These are all normal. But once you've unpacked your bags and gotten a good night's sleep, you'll want to capitalize on all you took away from your professional development experience.
Read more: buff.ly/9VXrZX9
ALT The Conference is Over - Now What? Extending the Life of Your Professional Learning
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We'd like to thank our Leadership Connections 2026 sponsors for helping to make our conference possible!
Presenting sponsor: @branaghgroup
Silver sponsors: Everbloom Learning, @ExchangePress, Kaplan Early Learning Company, National Association for Family Child Care (@nafcc)
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Bronze sponsors: Gateways to Opportunity, MarcoPolo Learning
Friend of the McCormick Institute: The Source for Learning - Early Childhood Education (@SFLECEI)
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Thank you for a great first day of Leadership Connections 2026!
This year’s theme is "Onward!”
Our presenters are sharing strategies and insights on how to navigate “rough seas” during uncertain times as early leaders.
Looking forward to the rest of the conference this week!
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What is “Family Engagement”?
Early childhood program administrators often hear that they should “engage” families in order to best meet the needs of children and ensure understanding of their programming.
🔗 Learn more: buff.ly/X90UR4q
ALT Engaging Families in Child Care Family engagement is a partnership with the families in your program. It can develop and grow from birth to school age, and change with circumstances.
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⭐️McCormick Institute team members are attending the @IndianaAEYC Indiana Early Childhood Conference⭐️
In addition to presenting several sessions, the McCormick Institute has a booth in the exhibit hall. Stop by and say hi if you're attending the conference!
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Leadership Connections is 15 days away!
Our 25th annual conference, May 27-29, in Schaumburg, IL, is almost here. Three days of interactive sessions, inspiring keynotes, and connection with ECEC leaders from across the country.
Are you registered?
mccormickinstitute.nl.edu/le…
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What's bringing YOU to Leadership Connections this year?
Whether it's networking, valuable leadership resources, or inspiration, we're excited to see you soon at our conference for early childhood leaders, May 27-29, 2026, in Schaumburg, IL.
🔗buff.ly/w5RlJTi
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A large, multi-day conference can be both eye-opening and exhausting. It benefits educators to come in open to possibilities and with a plan.
This guide will provide concrete steps and reflection questions to help you prepare for your next conference.
🔗 buff.ly/W2XdVz7
ALT From Arrival to Impact: A Guide to Navigating Conferences
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Illinois Early Childhood Leaders!
Did you know Aim4Excellence can help you earn points toward your Illinois Director Credential AND you may be eligible for a scholarship to cover the cost of modules for college credit? 🎓
Learn more about Aim4Excellence: buff.ly/kjtvFCo
ALT Aim4Excellence Opportunities for Illinois Early Childhood Leaders
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We're excited to present our 2026 Hometown Hero Award to Shauna Ejeh (@IAFC_Cares) at the upcoming Leadership Connections conference!
Join her and hundreds of ECEC leaders at Leadership Connections, May 27-29 in Schaumburg, IL: mccormickinstitute.nl.edu/le…
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Our latest Research Note examines the effectiveness of an intensive leadership academy designed to strengthen Family Child Care professionals’ business knowledge, leadership capacity, and program stability.
🔗 Read more: buff.ly/iq1FO2p
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The 12th cohort of Taking the Lead, our 9-month leadership academy for family child care professionals, met for its final session on Saturday.
Participants presented how they used quality improvement grants to make impactful changes to their businesses.
mccormickinstitute.nl.edu/ta…
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"Welcoming Gen Z: What is the Secret Sauce?", an article by Dr. Jane Humphries, the McCormick Institute's Director of Aim4Excellence, and Steffenie Moran, Manager at the Goddard School, was recently published by @ExchangePress.
Read the full article: hub.exchangepress.com/articl…
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Congratulations to Dr. Teri Talan on her extraordinary contributions to early childhood education and care.
At Leadership Connections 2026, Dr. Talan will receive the Visionary Leader Award, and the Public Policy Forum has been renamed in her honor.
👉️ buff.ly/zCi7Vw3
ALT Dr. Teri Talan headshot photo
ALT Dr. Teri Talan at Leadership Connections 2002
ALT Dr. Teri Talan moderates the public policy forum at Leadership Connections 2025
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Child Care directors carry a full plate, which is why flexible professional learning makes such a difference.
Aim4Excellence offers engaging online modules that help directors learn, reflect, and apply new strategies within their own settings.
🔗 buff.ly/RgiJFsK
ALT Aim4Excellence National Director Credential
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