WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Katelyn Disbro
February 1st was no ordinary Saturday for Manatee County’s early childhood educators. The Manatee Conference on Young Children (MCYC), with its 300 attendees, transformed Manatee Technical College into a bustling hub with an inspirational keynote speech, breakout sessions, vendor booths, raffles, giveaways, and dancing.
Yes, you read that right. Dancing. (Keep reading.)
Sold out for its third consecutive year and hosted by the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC), it was a day for those shaping the future to collaborate, recharge, and walk away with practical tips to make a difference in their classrooms.
AnnaMaria Mascherino-Carleton, an Early Childhood Education Advisor and Instructor at MTC, worked for the ELC for over 10 years and helped kickstart the very first MCYC (which was sold out). “Attendees look forward to this conference every year,” she says. “It’s chance to connect with peers, network, and grow in their field. With tracks tailored to different age groups, there’s something for everyone. And the luncheon raffle is always a highlight!”
Educators paused at the outset to honor the late Pam Parmenter, a passionate advocate for early education whose efforts were instrumental in making MCYC what it is today. Keynote speaker Juelie Perry—Pam’s longtime friend—led the tribute before sharing her presentation, Pathway to Success: Let’s ‘Cheer’ It for You!, which encouraged educators to embrace their authenticity in both personal and professional spheres.
After the keynote, attendees dove into breakout sessions tailored to every educator’s interests. These included sessions on STEAM activities, social-emotional skills, early literacy, developmental screening, HATCH technology, and the ELC’s Sleep Baby Safely Initiative. Each session offered practical, actionable insights, and several were presented in Spanish.
At every MCYC conference, the ELC raffles off generously donated items to conference attendees. This year’s raffle included over 50 items from local businesses. The ELC of Manatee County also includes a Social Project to raise support for local non-profits that focus on the children of Manatee County. All donations went to The Twig, which provides free clothing and essentials to foster children in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Attendees were encouraged to bring donations of new items such as socks, jeans, and toiletries to further support The Twig’s mission.
Of course, no conference is complete without those in-between moments: swapping ideas with peers, exploring vendor booths, and pausing to chat about a favorite session over coffee. And here’s where the dancing comes in: Lunch was served with a side of energy, thanks to the Parrish Community High School Blue Belles Dance Team and their spirited performance – a perfect metaphor for the creativity and movement early educators bring into young lives every day.
To wrap up the day, ELC offered gifts to conference attendees. This year’s gifts to attendees included Pre-K Activity Boxes and Toddler Science Kits from Lakeshore, Baby STEM Activity Books and Tucker the Turtle Bags, as well as Infant Pyramid Models and Calming Kit backpacks from Discovery Source. And let’s not forget the ever-essential boxes of bandages—a must-have for any classroom with little learners!
But more than inspiring sessions and cool swag, MCYC is a reminder that being an educator is as much about community as it is about curriculum. It’s about taking a moment to reflect, to connect, and to remember why you pursued this career in the first place.
As educators headed back to their classrooms, they left with practical tools, fresh ideas, a renewed sense of purpose – and the knowledge that, in this often-challenging journey, they’re not alone.
