Connecticut Play-Based Learning Summit

Elevating Education Through the Power of Play

SAVE THE DATE:
MARCH 18, 2027

Link to Pictures from 2025 Summit: Subheader Media

Call for Proposals for 2026 Play Based Learning Summit will be coming

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Overview

Join us for the Connecticut Play-Based Learning Summit, where educators from across the state will come together to explore the vital role of play in learning. This event offers a unique chance to participate in experiential learning activities highlight the significance of play-based education. Our diverse group of presenters is dedicated to fostering a collaborative, ensuring a rich exchange of ideas and insights. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding and practice of play-based learning!

Expert Insights Await

Our lineup features renowned experts from across Connecticut in education and child development, ready to share their knowledge and experiences in play-based learning methodologies.

Outstanding Educators

Engage with distinguished educators and administrators who have successfully integrated play into their curricula, enhancing learning outcomes and student engagement.

Learn from distinguished educators who have successfully integrated play into their curric

Inspiring Innovators

Meet innovators whose creative approaches to education that harness the power of play, inspiring the next generation of learners.

2025 Presenters

Keynote Speaker

Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a Professor of Psychology at Temple University, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute and a Visiting Professor at Oxford University, was declared a “scientific entrepreneur” from the American Association of Psychology. She examines the development of early language and literacy, the role of play in learning, and learning and technology. The author of 17 books and hundreds of publications, she has won numerous awards in her field including being inducted into the National Academy of Education and the Association of Children’s Museum’s Best Friend to Kids Award. Vested in translating science for lay and professional audiences, her Becoming Brilliant, released in 2016 was on the NY Times Best Seller List in Education. Her Making Schools Work was released in late Fall of 2022.

EA Aschenbrenner

Project Co-director Executive Function and Play-Based Learning

EA has taught and been an administrator in bilingual, multicultural programs and classrooms in CT, Texas and California. She has supported the implementation of PBL in districts for the past 10 years.

Stephanie Albino

Kindergarten Teacher

Middletown Public Schools

Stephanie Albino is committed to developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that engage young children in playful acquisition of social emotional and academic skills. Stephanie has been involved in the Play Based Learning Project for seven years and has opened her classrooms to over 100 educators and administrators to observe play based learning in action.

Paige Bray, Ed.D

Director of the Center for Montessori Studies at the University of Hartford

Paige M. Bray, Ed.D. is the Director of the Center for Montessori Studies and Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Hartford, Connecticut. She has worked to address systemic inequities for over three decades. Her teaching expertise focuses on the personal “reflexes” and professional identity transitions fostered through dynamic inquiry and the use of meta-cognitive tools with pre-service teachers as well as credentialed teachers across the career continuum. A community engaged scholar, Paige works with and in community using critical and humanistic pedagogy, including Montessori, to support agency and belonging.

Emily Caviggia

Principal Killingly Public Schools

With 26 years of experience in education, Emily has spent the last 10 years serving as an administrator at Killingly Central School. Throughout her career, she has witnessed the transformative power of play in supporting the development and growth of the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally. She lives in Preston, CT with her husband and 14-year-old son, who continues to remind her daily of the importance of curiosity, creativity, and joy in learning.

Brenda Dzwil

Instructional Coach

Newington Public Schools

Brenda Dzwil is an instructional coach in two Pre-K through 4 elementary schools in Newington, CT. Prior to that, she has worked in a variety of roles spanning Kindergarten through Grade 8. While teaching math has always been her passion, she has developed a love for play based learning - so why not combine the two!

Colleen Fitzpatrick

Chief Academic Officer

Middletown Public Schools

Colleen Fitzpatrick is the Chief Academic Office in Middletown. She is committed to providing developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that engage young children in playful acquisition of social emotional and academic skills.

Elizabeth Gaffney

Preschool Coordinator

Wallingford Public Schools

Elizabeth Gaffney has been teaching since 1991 and has specialized in early childhood and play-based learning since 2010. She currently serves as the Preschool Coordinator for Wallingford Public Schools.

Irene Garneau

Department Supervisor for Early childhood Education

West Hartford Public Schools

Irene Garneau, M.A. in Early Childhood Education, is the Department Supervisor for Early Childhood Education at West Hartford Public Schools. With a career spanning 35 years, Irene has dedicated her professional life to supporting young children and their families. Over the past two decades, she has held various leadership positions, including program director, instructional coach, and district-level administrator. In her current role, Irene focuses on ensuring the implementation of developmentally appropriate practices across pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms district-wide. An advocate for play-based learning, Irene has presented on multiple occasions at the NAEYC National Conference on connecting intentional, play-based teaching methods to instructional frameworks. Additionally, she shares her expertise and passion for early childhood education as an adjunct faculty member at Tunxis State College, where she mentors pre-service teachers.

Kristine Garofalo

Principal Nayaug Elementary School

Glastonbury Public Schools

Kris Garofalo has been the Principal of Nayaug Elementary School in South Glastonbury since 2013. Prior to her years in administration, she taught both in the elementary classroom and later as a math specialist. Kris’s journey in purposeful play began two years ago when she was part of the CAS Play- based Learning Leadership Cohort. Last year, Kris led the implementation roll-out of play-based learning with a pilot group of Kindergarten teachers. This year, play and executive functioning strategies are now part of all Kindergarten and grade one classrooms district-wide.

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Karen Gray

Project Co-director Executive Function and Play-based Learning

Karen Gray has worked in public education since 1999, in roles that include principalships and central office administrator. As a building leader, Karen ensured that play-based learning occurred daily. Karen is now a full time Educational Consultant providing leadership and professional development on PBL in districts across the state. Karen worked on play-based legislation, which passed in July 2023. She is a graduate of UConn PK3 Leadership Cohort, has extensive experience in early childhood education and has presented for various educational agencies. karengrayconsultant.com

Brenda Gregorski

Director of Mathematics

Glastonbury Public Schools

Brenda Gregorski started her teaching career in Glastonbury Public Schools, spending 17 years in the classroom and 7 years as the Director of Mathematics. While in the classroom, Brenda was a state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and was the head teacher for Glastonbury High School for 14 years. Brenda is currently the K–12 Director of Mathematics, and she values being part of a tremendous math department of excellent teachers, with whom she learns and grows every day. She also enjoys working with all levels of teachers, being able to see the vertical alignment and story of the mathematics curriculum connect through all the grade levels. Like Kris, Brenda participated in the CAS Play-based Learning Cohort and successfully led the implementation of play-based learning in Kindergarten across the district.

Meaghan Hartmann

Speech-Language Pathologist

Wallingford Public Schools

Meaghan Hartmann, MS, CCC-SLP, LBA, BCBA, is a speech-language pathologist and board-certified and licensed behavior analyst with extensive experience in early childhood communication and education. She is Hanen certified and PROMPT trained, and has worked across schools, clinics, and community settings to support oral language development, early intervention, and trauma-informed practices. Meaghan regularly provides workshops and training for educators, administrators, and families on practical strategies to foster young children’s communication and language growth.

Janine Chapdelaine

CREC Magnet Schools

Janine has had the privilege of working with young children for over 35 years. She spent 21 years as a preschool teacher at the CREC University of Hartford Magnet School and currently supports teachers in her role as the PreK Instructional Coach for CREC Magnet Schools, a position she has held since 2022. In 2012, she was honored to be named CREC Teacher of the Year and is grateful to be a Fund for Teachers fellow. Since 2016, she has also enjoyed serving as an adjunct professor in Early Childhood Education at the University of Hartford, where she continues to learn alongside future educators.

Judy Cuthbertson

Seedlings Educators Collaborative

Judy has been in early childhood education for 50 years, the last 20 as the Director of the Seedlings Educators Collaborative.

Mimi Donegan, LSW

As a seasoned mental health professional and educator, Mimi works with children, adolescents, adults, and families, providing therapy and psychoeducational services in her areas of clinical expertise include assessments, individual and family therapy, psychoeducational group facilitation, and crisis intervention, with a strong emphasis on child and adolescent development and family systems. She works in community on topics such as grief, trauma, developmental psychology, the economy of engagement, and the impact of divorce on children and parents. Mimi is a provider for the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division and also serves on the State of Connecticut Parent Education Program Advisory Committee. She has held adjunct faculty positions at the Loomis Chaffee School and at the University of Hartford.

Holley Duffy

Instructional Coach

Newington Public Schools

Holley Duffy is an elementary-level instructional coach in Newington, CT. Prior to her work as a coach, she taught second grade for twelve years. She is working on building a positive math identity and uses play to help her see the joy in mathematical thinking.

Kindergarten Team

Brewster Elementary School

Region 13 District

The Kindergarten team at Brewster is a team of 5. We have been implementing Play Based Learning for the past three years.

Maggie Knies

Senior Director of Educational Programming at Discovery Center

Maggie Knies serves as the Senior Director of Educational Programming at Discovery, which she joined in 2025. She brings extensive experience in both general and special education, with a professional background that includes teaching students in grades 1 through 6, as well as providing specialized instruction for students in grades 1 through 4 Ms. Knies holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Roger Williams University. She later earned a Master of Science in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University, where she completed dual certification in both elementary and special education. Her work is driven by a commitment to inclusive learning environments and evidence-based instructional practices that support the success of all learners.

Dr. Michelle Levy

CT Office of Early Childhood

Michelle Levy is a consultant for the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. She began her career in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she worked with preschool children with autism while she completed her undergraduate work in Child Development. She completed her doctorate in Education Psychology with a focus on early childhood in 2017. She has worked as a teacher in a variety of settings including private preschool programs, nonprofit programs for young children with a range of needs and public schools. She worked for the CT Department of Education for 6 years before moving to the Office of Early Childhood when it was created in July of 2013. Her responsibilities at both agencies include work on early learning standards, curriculum, and assessment, the Pyramid Model, and inclusion.

Kate Lund

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction

Glastonbury Public Schools

Kate Lund has served as an administrator in Glastonbury Public Schools for over 13 years, currently in her third year as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. She previously held roles as Assistant Principal at Smith Middle School and as Director of English Language Arts & Library Media. Kate began her career as a high school English teacher at Lyme-Old Lyme High School and has remained committed to excellence in instruction and leadership. Kate is actively involved in state-wide committee work through the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) and continues to support the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education as a proud alum, serving as Chair of the Neag Dean’s Board of Advocates. In 2019, Kate received the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) Outstanding Leadership Award for her commitment to instructional excellence through innovation, vision, and risk-taking. Kate’s work in Glastonbury centers on aligning innovative practice—such as the district’s implementation of play-based learning—with strategic planning, equity, and academic achievement.

Dr. Peg Oliveira

Director at Gesell Program in Early Childhood at Yale

Dr. Peg Oliveira is an Associate Research Scientist at Yale University and Director of the Gesell Program in Early Childhood at the Yale Child Study Center. Dr. Oliveira is a child development expert and an activist with a doctorate in developmental psychology. Previously, as a Senior Policy Fellow with CT Voices for Children as well as a consultant to the CT Office of Early Childhood and other child advocacy organizations, Peg advocated for fair pay for early childhood educators, child care assistance for working parents and equitable access to high quality early education. She serves on the Education Advisory Board for The Goddard Schools. Peg was the founding director of 108 Monkeys, a nonprofit yoga service organization. She has published the essay "Mind over Multitasking" in The Culture of Efficiency as well as "Practicing Yoga, Practicing Justice" in Stories of School Yoga.

Irene E. Parisi, M.ED.

Chief Academic Officer for CT State Department of Education

Irene Parisi serves as the Chief Academic Officer for the Connecticut State Department of Education. Irene’s work in education draws on her years of teaching students in grades 3 and 5 in Meriden, Connecticut, Instructional Coaching, Director of Curriculum in East Windsor, and then Assistant Superintendent for Greenwich Public Schools, Connecticut leading change in literacy instruction, digital integration, curriculum design and personalized learning environments. As the CAO for the Department of Education, Irene has been working with the team to cocreate a renewed ecosystem of support for Connecticut school districts to modernize and elevate high quality curriculum and instruction. Irene is recognized statewide for her work in designing digital learning environments, developing a Personalized Professional Learning system and for her commitment to advancing equity through anytime, anywhere access to high-quality model curricula, and open education resources. Irene is currently leading the Connecticut AI Pilot Program for K-12 Classrooms for the department of education with six partner districts across the state.

Rachel Papa

Early Childhood Educator

Wallingford Public Schools

Rachel Papa is an early childhood educator in Wallingford (CT) Public Schools with a strong belief in play-based, inclusive learning that nurtures curiosity and supports all learners. Her passion began during her studies at Southern Connecticut State University and was shaped through her volunteer work with Jumpstart and experience teaching in Head Start programs. With a Master’s in TESOL and training from UConn’s PK-3rd Grade Leadership Program, Rachel is committed to creating equitable, engaging environments where every child feels empowered to learn.

Courtney A. Reim, Ed.D.

Managing Director of the Montessori Training Center Northeast

Courtney A. Reim, Ed.D. is the Managing Director of the Montessori Training Center Northeast (MTCNE) and brings her Montessori expertise and leadership to the research efforts at Center for Montessori Studies. She studied business and cultural anthropology at the University of Colorado Boulder, is a trained AMI Primary guide, and holds both a graduate degree in Early Childhood Education with a Montessori Concentration and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Hartford. With a lifelong commitment to mission-driven work, Courtney is dedicated to supporting human development at every stage and advancing the transformative vision of Montessori education.

Natasha Robinson

CREC Resource Group

Natasha Robinson is an Education Specialist with the Capital Region Education Council (CREC) Resource Group, where she supports early childhood programs through coaching and technical assistance. With over ten years of experience in education, she has taught in various settings and held leadership roles. Natasha holds certifications in Early Childhood Education and Educational Leadership and is passionate about promoting play-based learning in underserved communities.

Wendie Rodriguez

School Psychologist

Wallingford Public Schools

Wendie Rodriguez holds a master's degree and 6th year in school psychology. She also holds intermediate adminstrator certification. Wendie has practiced school psychology over the past 25 years specializing in the area of early childhood. She has also had the opportunity to work in central office overseeing specialized programs as well as special education preschool programs. Areas of particular interest to Wendie are play based learning and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Wendie is a married mother of two. She is also a parent of children with special education needs.