Take a Seat in the Thinking Chair: Reflection in Action
The 2026 Journey Conference at De Anza College is for current and future child development teachers, child care
home operators and members of the early childhood communities.
- Saturday, February 7
- 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
See the full conference schedule, workshop information and read about our keynote speaker lower on this page.
This year’s theme invites us to pause, reflect and make meaning of the “clues” we
encounter daily in our classrooms. As keynote speaker Jere Chang models connecting the dots, we, too, draw insights from children’s play, questions and relationships — using reflective practice to deepen understanding and guide intentional teaching. Join us as we celebrate curiosity, reflection and growth in early childhood education.
Keynote Speaker
Jere Chang, also known as "Ms. Chang" online, is an award-winning digital content creator, with
over 3.5 million followers across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. Prior to becoming a content creator,
Chang spent over 20 years as a classroom teacher in the Atlanta area. Spending time with “Ms. Chang” isn’t
just about trends – it's about radical kindness, inspiration and laughter.
Chang has been invited to the White House on two occasions to join national discussions on LGBTQ+ education and inclusion. As a distinguished University of Georgia alum, she also delivers talks internationally, bringing laughter, empathy and hope wherever
she goes.
With a decade of experience in gifted education, and three master’s degrees in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), College Administration
and Applied Linguistics, Chang speaks on topics that blend creativity, inclusion and authenticity.
Conference Schedule
| Time |
Activity |
| 8:30-9:40 a.m. |
Registration |
| 9:45-10 a.m. |
Welcome |
| 10-10:30 a.m. |
Vendor fair and networking |
| 10:30-10:45 a.m. |
Transition to workshop location |
| 10:45 a.m.-noon |
Morning workshop |
| Noon-1 p.m. |
Lunch |
| 1:15-2:30 p.m. |
Afternoon panel |
| 2:30-3 p.m. |
Vendor fair and break |
| 3-4 p.m. |
Keynote speech from Jere Chang |
| 4-4:30 p.m. |
Closing – pick up certificates and meet and greet |
Workshops and Speakers
Decoding Escalation: Trauma-Informed Clues for Calm, Connection and Collaboration
Speaker: Jila Maleksalehi, Ed.D.
Workshop Description
Classroom behaviors often give us clues about what students are feeling beneath the
surface. In this interactive session, participants will pause, reflect and learn to
interpret these clues through a trauma-informed lens. We’ll define escalation and
de-escalation, identify the signs of escalated behaviors and explore why they occur.
Participants will discover strategies to promote self-regulation, connectedness and
collaborative problem-solving, and will practice applying de-escalation techniques
to real classroom scenarios. Walk away with practical tools to transform challenging
moments into opportunities for understanding and growth.
About the Speaker
Maleksalehi is an esteemed educator and specialist in child and adolescent development.
Through her extensive experience as an adjunct lecturer at De Anza College, San José
State University and Santa Clara University, Maleksalehi brings a deep understanding
of how trauma impacts learning and relationships.
As a De Anza College alumna and former student-athlete, Maleksalehi's lifelong connection
to education fuels her passion for designing responsive, inclusive curricula for both
online and in-person teaching environments. In this session, participants will reflect
on the impact of personal experiences, learn to recognize trauma triggers and responses
and discover practical, kindness-centered approaches to meet the diverse needs of
all learners. Maleksalehi's expertise ensures that this session provides educators
with the tools to cultivate nurturing environments that promote well-being, resilience
and a sense of belonging.
The Thinking Chair for ECE Teachers: Daily Reflection to Elevate Practice and Child
Outcomes
Speaker: Li Wei Sun, Ed.D.
Workshop Description
Early childhood education is a constantly evolving field, and teachers must grow alongside
the children they serve. This workshop invites future educators to step into “The
Thinking Chair,” a reflective space for examining daily practice, professional identity
and teaching philosophy. Participants will explore how ongoing reflection strengthens
teaching, promotes responsive learning environments and supports the continuous development
of both teachers and young children.
About the Speaker
Li Wei Sun, Ed.D., is an early childhood education professor with more than 30 years
of experience in teacher preparation, early care and education (ECE) program development
and leadership in the field. She currently serves as the department chair and a full-time
faculty member in the Child Development and Education Department at De Anza College.In
addition to her work in higher education, Sun is deeply involved in the community
and a strong advocate for high-quality early childhood education. She serves as the
president of the Bay Area Early Childhood Educators Association, and collaborates
with numerous ECE agencies — including 4Cs, First 5, and public TK programs — to support
professional training and ongoing development for early childhood teachers and childcare
providers.Sun holds an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from Teachers College,
Columbia University, and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from New York University.
From Clues to Curriculum: Using Sensory Boxes to Guide Intentional Teaching
Connecting Play, Reflection and Meaning-Making in Early Childhood
Workshop Description
This hands-on workshop invites early childhood educators to explore sensory boxes
as powerful tools for observation, reflection and intentional teaching. Sensory materials
naturally reveal children’s ideas, questions, theories and developing schemas. When
we slow down and pay attention, these playful moments become clues that help us understand
children’s thinking and guide our instructional decisions. This year’s theme encourages
us to pause, reflect and make meaning of the clues we encounter daily in our classrooms.
We learn to draw insights from children’s play, questions and relationships — using
reflective practice to deepen understanding and strengthen purposeful teaching. Join
us as we celebrate curiosity, reflection and growth in early childhood education.
About the Speaker
Phyllis DeMotta is a dedicated educator and leader with a passion for empowering students
and professionals in the field of education. She serves as an instructor at De Anza
College, where she inspires and mentors future educators to achieve their full potential.
In her role as the success coordinator for the California Apprenticeship Initiative
Grant, Phyllis works tirelessly to support student success and create pathways for
meaningful careers. Her leadership ensures that program participants receive the guidance
and resources they need to thrive in their educational and professional journeys.As
the regional coordinator for the Santa Clara County California Early Childhood Mentor
Program (CECMP), Phyllis is a champion for early childhood education. She collaborates
with mentors and mentees to strengthen the skills and knowledge of early educators,
fostering high-quality learning environments for young children.Phyllis is deeply
committed to education, equity and community impact, making her a respected and influential
figure in the field.
Play Detectives: Discovering Learning in Every Corner
Speaker: Shelley Gonzales
Workshop Description
Young children are natural investigators — when we embrace their curiosity and turn
everyday classroom environments into “investigation zones,” we unlock rich learning
opportunities. In "Play Detectives: Discovering Learning in Every Corner," participants
will become detectives alongside young children, exploring how every nook of a classroom
— indoors or outdoors — can reveal possibilities for children’s inquiry, social interaction,
language development, problem-solving and self-regulation. Participants will engage
in practical strategies to design environments and routines that invite exploration,
pose open-ended questions and scaffold children’s thinking through play. They will
have opportunities for hands-on activities, and will leave with concrete ideas and
take-away tools to transform corners, materials and transitions into meaningful learning
moments.
About the Speaker
Shelley Gonzales has directed several programs, including a college laboratory school,
schools at Stanford University and a parent cooperative preschool. She has also supervised
Head Start and State Preschool programs and was the initiating director of a bilingual
preschool program. The programs all emphasized learning through emergent, STEAM-based
curriculum. Shelley believes in inspiring children to be passionate about the process
of learning. She believes teaching children through the scientific method helps them
to become critical thinkers. Shelley has presented at national and international conferences.
She has taught early childhood education in community colleges at the undergraduate
level, and bachelor’s and master’s level courses at Pacific Oaks College.
California Teacher Permit Application Workshop
Speaker: Zana Wilkie
Workshop Description
Child Development Permits are state-issued credentials that allow educators to work
in various roles within early care and education, from assistant to director, in Head
Start, state-funded preschool and other programs requiring Early Childhood Education
and experience, with levels like assistant, associate teacher, teacher, master teacher,
site supervisor and program director, each needing more qualifications for higher
pay and responsibility. These permits are essential for government-funded roles and
serve as a career ladder with requirements for renewal and upgrades, ensuring qualified
staff for young children's care and instruction. This workshop will introduce and
support you in the process of applying for a California Teacher’s Permit. In addition
to reviewing the permit application process, you will discover several resources that
are available to assist you in the process of initial application, renewal and upgrading
your permit level.
About the Speaker
I am Zana Wilkie. I earned my bachelor's degree in Child Development from Chico State
University. My experience working with young children included working as a preschool
teacher, a directo and having a family day care in my home. I took a short break from
teaching while returning to Pacific Oaks College and earning a master's degree in
Human Development.
After the birth of my first son, I began working in a Parent Education Preschool (Wilson
Preschool) and later a Family Literacy Program (Even Start). I continued to work with
families while my children were growing up, eventually leading me back to De Anza
College where I have been teaching in the Child Development and Education Department
since 2014. I am enjoying my time here at De Anza, offering my knowledge gained through
experience raising children and teaching child development courses.
My children, two boys and one girl, are now grown. I am enjoying experiencing the
early years again as a grandmother of my first grandson, a three-year-old preschooler.
Empowering the Future: De Anza Apprentices Journey in Early Childhood Education
Speaker: Daryl Bright
Workshop Description
This panel session introduces Registered Apprenticeship (RA) as a proven workforce
development strategy in early care and education (ECE), brought to life through the
voices of current apprentices. Three De Anza College apprentices will share their
firsthand experience with an equity-centered approach that combines professional development,
education, strong wraparound supports and stackable credentials. Through their stories,
participants will gain a clear picture of how the program is structured, what “earn
and learn” looks like in practice and how RA has shaped students' professional growth
and confidence as early educators. The conversation will also surface real-world challenges
and successes of completing an apprenticeship in diverse ECE settings, offering honest
insight into what helps apprentices persist and thrive.
About the Speaker
Daryl Bright is the Registered Apprenticeship Programs Director at ECEPTS, where he
leads the design and implementation of equity-centered apprenticeship pathways for
early care and education (ECE) professionals. With a background spanning mentoring,
coaching, performance management and workforce development at the YMCA of the East
Bay, he brings deep expertise in building supportive programs. Daryl is known for
translating grant-funded initiatives into strong partner-driven projects that help
early educators persist, advance and thrive in diverse ECE settings. He holds a B.A.
in Sociology from Fayetteville State University and an M.S. in Global Fashion Enterprise
from Philadelphia University.
About the Conference
The Journey Conference was created to showcase classroom skills and strategies while providing a platform for sharing and learning among students, home child care providers, faculty, staff, administrators, partners
and community stakeholders.
It's part of an innovative apprenticeship program that is preparing future teachers to meet workforce needs in the child care community, supported by a $1.3 million grant from the California
Community College Apprenticeship Initiative.
