PORTSMOUTH — In an effort to guide teachers on the basis of early childhood development, behavior support, and young learning guidelines, Shawnee State University will host its annual Fabulous Friday Conference on Friday, April 17 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the University Center.

The event’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Maria Sargent, professor of Early Childhood Education at Ashland University. Dr. Sargent has been active for over 25 years in general education, special education, behavior intervention, brain research, and arts intervention. Her keynote presentation will discuss brain research and how it can be used to enhance an individual’s overall teaching skills.

During her career, Sargent has led the way in several major projects, which include multiple million dollar grants designed to enhance education outcomes for children at risk and has worked with various state departments (including education and mental health) to develop guidelines for professionals wishing to improve outcomes for students and their families. Additionally, Sargent has also served as a consultant for numerous dance programs, which includes “Reach Out and Dance,” “SPARCS,” and Rosie O’Donnell’s original “Broadway Kids” program in New York.

Following Sargent’s keynote speech, the event will feature several morning sessions, which include Sargent’s aforementioned topic as well as Kristin Watson’s “Using Technology in the Early Childhood Setting” and Angela Kisor’s “Overview of Early Childhood Assessment Practices,” among others. Each of the morning sessions will last approximately three hours (9 a.m. to noon).

The morning sessions will then be followed by a luncheon from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the University Center’s Sodexo Ballroom, where the “Friend of Children” Award will be given out to an individual or an organization that is nominated by a colleague and meets the “FRIEND” criteria through the outstanding contributions that the winning individual or organization has made to children.

Afternoon sessions, which will last from 1:30-3 p.m., include a presentation by Teresa Franz, Kristina Rowland, Megan McGraw, and Tashana Brown about the new infant classroom at the Children’s Learning Center, which is titled “I Am, I Can… Care, Teach, Plan!”

Registration for Fabulous Friday is online at fabulousfriday2015.eventbrite.com. The cost is $44 for the first 100 registrants and $64 for anyone following the first 100 people who register. High school and college students will pay $19, regardless of when they register.

Payments can be made with credit cards, purchase orders, or checks. Registration fees include check-in refreshments and lunch.

For more information about Fabulous Friday, contact Debbie Schwamberger by calling 740-351-3390 or by emailing Schwamberger at dschwamberge@shawnee.edu.