Events
2026 TARSS Symposium
When: April 30 - May 2, 2026
Where: Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort, 25039 Tame Fish Lake Road, Deerwood, MN 56444
Trainers, coaches, and course writers, join us at the 2026 TARSS Symposium! This annual event brings together professionals like you from all over the state who are invested in serving our early childhood workforce. The Symposium offers a full weekend of professional development along with a chance for sustained networking with your peers.
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Photographs taken at the event may be used in University of Minnesota print and online publications, promotions, or shared with the CEHD community.
The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, familial status, disability, public assistance status, membership or activity in a local commission created for the purpose of dealing with discrimination, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. All are welcome.
The University of Minnesota campuses were built on the traditional homelands of the Dakota and Ojibwe, and scores of other Indigenous peoples who have walked on these lands from time immemorial. It is important to acknowledge the peoples on whose land we live, learn, and work as we seek to improve and strengthen our relations with our tribal nations. We also acknowledge that words are not enough. We must ensure that our institution provides support, resources, and programs that increase access to all aspects of higher education for our American Indian students, staff, faculty, and community members.
Cost
The 2026 TARSS Symposium offers all-inclusive pricing. Registration includes hotel stay, meals, and professional development programming. TARSS does everything we can to keep costs low for participants, including covering some of the costs.
2 nights (Thursday and Friday)
- $425 registration
- Includes registration, lodging and all meals
1 night (Thursday or Friday)
- $275 registration
- Includes registration, lodging and 3 meals
Bringing guests
- You must register and pay for each additional guest eating conference meals. There are no discounts available for guests.
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We kindly ask all attendees to show respect for our participants and presenters by refraining from bringing children to the sessions. Your cooperation helps create an engaging and focused environment for everyone involved. Thank you!
Registered guests will receive name badges for the conference to verify that they have paid for food.
One night guest cost
- $100
- Three meals
Two night guest cost
- $225
- All meals
Scholarships
Scholarships are available based on need and availability. TARSS recognizes that family child care educators need advanced notice of scholarship funds so they can make plans to close their business. This year, we will accept applications on a rolling basis. This will allow people to plan accordingly to travel and attend the 2026 TARSS Symposium.
Registration deadline
Regular registration closes on April 16, 2026. Late registration will include an additional $25 fee, and will close on April 24, 2026.
Cancellation policy
To cancel your registration, email tarss@umn.edu.
- If you cancel two weeks or more before the event starts, you will receive a refund minus a $25 administrative fee.
- If you cancel less than two weeks before the event starts, you will not receive a refund.
Event schedule
Join us for engaging professional development delivered by regionally and nationally known facilitators including our keynote speaker, Dr. Teresa Byington!
Thursday, April 30
| Time | Presenter | Title of presentation |
|---|---|---|
| 12:30-4:30 p.m. | FamilyWise | ACE Interface Understanding NEAR Science: Building Self-Healing Communities |
| 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Embracing Equity | Microaggressions and Microinterventions: Fostering Brave Learning Spaces |
Friday, May 1
Morning
| Time | Presenter | Title of presentation |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Heather Charmoli | Guiding Educators through the New NAEYC Code of Ethics |
| 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Carly Riley | Facilitating Cross-Racial Dialogue |
| 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Annette Weaver | The Trainer's Nervous System: Regulation as a Facilitation Skill |
| 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Rachel Daley | Playful Pathways to Design: Creating Child Development Trainings Together |
| 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Sara Stamschror-Lott | Holding the Hard Stuff: Somatic Strategies for Nervous System Safety in Tough Conversations |
| 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Webinar |
Afternoon
| Time | Presenter | Title of presentation |
|---|---|---|
| 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Jamie Bonczyk | From Trainer, Coach, and Course Writer to Thought Leader: Amplifying Your Voice for Impact |
| 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Carly Riley | Facilitating Cross-Racial Dialogue, continued |
| 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Mary Smith | The Importance of Self-Care and Emotional Intelligence |
| 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Rachel Daley | Playful Pathways to Design: Creating Child Development Trainings Together, continued |
| 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Laura Lamb | Embedding ECIPs Exploration into Course Activities |
| 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Webinar |
Saturday keynote speaker: Teresa Byington
Dr. Teresa Byington is a nationally recognized author, speaker, and creative learning facilitator with over two decades of experience designing joyful, interactive, and transformative learning experiences. She brings passion and purpose to every training, using theme-based strategies that encourage meaningful participation and practical application. Her training philosophy is captured in the titles of her two books: Lose the Lecture and Find the Joyful Leader Within. Teresa’s mission is simple: help learners connect, reflect, and grow through experiences that are as joyful as they are effective!
Teresa Byington
Saturday, May 2
| Time | Presenter | Title of presentation |
|---|---|---|
| 12:15-2:15 | Mary Smith | World of Child Care—Why Should I Stay? You Are the Reason! |
| 12:15-2:15 | Annette Weaver | Slide Presentation Best Practice |
| 12:15-2:15 | Carrie Zelin Johnson | Striving to Thrive Together |