Join Iowa AEYC for the 2026 Spring Institute!
Each year, our Spring Institute combines professional development, networking, and fun in an opportunity specifically crafted for early care and education professionals. We invite you to join us for a weekend of learning and laughter!
Registration opens on February 16th!
Event Information
- Date: May 1, 7:30-3:30 PM and May 2, 7:00-2:45 PM
- Check-in Time: begins at 7:30 AM on Friday and 7:00 AM on Saturday
- Location: Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel (1800 50th St, West Des Moines, IA 50266)
Friday
Keynote: Penni Gaul and Angie Squires from Keystone Area Education Agency
Cultivating Calm: A Tiered Approach to Social-Emotional Wellness
Step into a dynamic learning experience with fellow center and home child care colleagues—where fresh ideas meet renewed energy for your environment and personal well-being! Using early childhood evidence-based practices, we’ll dive into practical, hands-on strategies to prevent challenging behaviors and master advanced communication. Additionally, we’ll dedicate time to staff self-care and stress reduction techniques, ensuring that you can pour from a full cup. Invest in your practice, your children, and yourself!
Angie Squires
With over two and a half decades devoted to Early Childhood Education, Angie Squires brings a wealth of experience and a passion for student and teacher success. Angie’s journey started in the classroom as a Head Start Lead Teacher for NEICAC. Following the completion of her Master’s in Early Childhood, she transitioned to her role at Keystone AEA. In this capacity, she partners closely with Northeast Iowa’s preschool teachers, administrators, and key state leaders to elevate the quality and effectiveness of early learning environments across Iowa.
Her work is deeply rooted in utilizing PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) frameworks for both infant/toddler and preschool settings. This framework provides educators with the essential tools needed to support the diverse needs of every child. Outside of her professional work, Angie enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, attending and supporting her children’s many activities, and snuggling with her two granddaughters. She lives in rural Fayette, Iowa, with her husband and four children.
Penni Gaul
Penni Gaul is an Early Childhood Special Education professional with 30 years of experience supporting young learners and the educators who serve them. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Special Education from St. Ambrose University and a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Penni has spent the past 13 years with Keystone Area Education Agency, where she currently serves as an Early Childhood Special Education Consultant.
She is passionate about leading professional learning for adults, with a strong focus on inclusive early childhood practices and supporting all learners within the PBIS framework. Outside of her professional work, Penni enjoys cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones, attending her children’s activities, and making the rounds of Iowa’s many summer state fairs. She lives in rural Edgewood, Iowa, with her husband and four children.
Saturday
Attendees will have the option to choose from breakout classes.
Pricing
Iowa AEYC members receive a discount to this year’s Spring Institute equal to or greater than the price of an entry-level membership. That means that non-members are not only missing out on the many valuable resources we offer, but also will pay more to attend our Institute! You can find more information about Iowa AEYC membership here.
| Iowa AEYC Member | Non-Member | |
|---|---|---|
| Single Day Pricing | $99 | $171 |
| Two-Day Pricing | $180 | $252 |
2026 Spring Institute Scholarship
If you are interested in attending Iowa AEYC’s Spring Institute, please fill out the scholarship application below by January 23, 2026. If awarded, the scholarship will cover all expenses associated with attending Spring Institute: registration, mileage, and hotel (for those traveling 120 miles or more). This scholarship does not cover income loss for missing employment to attend the Institute. Please note: If you are in Polk County or Black Hawk County there are specific scholarship forms for you to fill out. Please do not fill out this form
Additional Information
Training Credits
Attending the Institute on Friday is worth five HHS credits; attending on Saturday is also worth five HHS credits. Both days are also eligible for National Administrator Credential (NAC) credit. In order to be awarded this credit, you must be a registered member in the i-PoWeR training registry. It is free to register for i-PoWeR, and earning HHS training credits can help raise your program’s IQ4K® level.
Group Registration
If you a registering a group of six or more people, please email jonni@iowaaeyc.org for assistance, as each person will need to be registered separately.
Cancellation Policy
If you must cancel, full refunds can be made if cancellation notice is received via email to jonni@iowaaeyc.org by April 23, 2026 at 5:00 pm. After April 23, absolutely no refunds will be given and all registered attendees must pay registration fees.
Hotel Block
There is a room block available for any attendees who wish to stay at the hotel the weekend of the institute.
The hotel block will close on April 9th, 2026.
Questions? Please contact:
