05/15/2026
This year we kicked off our annual MFN Spring Conference yesterday with a team bonding sip-and-paint night! It was the perfect way to rest, refresh, and connect in great company. We followed an online tutorial to paint cherry blossom trees, and by the end of the night, we reflected on two key takeaways: (1) there are many different ways to reach the finish line, and (2) there is beauty in working through each step together toward a common goal. Seeing everyone’s unique interpretation of the final product made it even more special.
Today, we dove into a variety of breakout sessions, learning and collaborating on topics both inside and outside the classroom. We explored themes like hope, incorporating movement into storytime, STEM in early childhood education, and the art of giving and receiving feedback, with a focus on conflict resolution tools.
After our small group sessions, we came together for a network-wide activity titled The Amazing Race. Each center worked together to find clues hidden throughout the hotel grounds. This year’s theme, Protectors of the Nest, came to life as some teammates became “flyers,” running to retrieve clues, while others were “nesters,” staying behind to piece everything together. Along the way, we reflected on how we advocate, unite, and lead the families we serve, the communities we work in, and the environments we create as a team. We love a little healthy competition, and we proudly took 3rd place!
The day ended with a Sneaker Ball, where we showed up in our coolest kicks and enjoyed music, conversation, and connection with others across the network.
We can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings as we wrap up the Spring Conference!
