Upcoming Webinars
Our online series unites the early childhood learning community around timely issues and provides professional development opportunities.
Webinars are offered without cost and are open to all. An archive of recorded webinars are available in our video library.
2026 SERIES:
Reflect for Insight,
Reset for Action!
Welcome back to the CAYL Catalyst webinar series!
The CAYL Catalyst webinar series brings to you bold conversations of interest to early childhood educators. Our online series is intended to unite early childhood learning communities around timely issues and provide professional development opportunities. Join us every first Thursday of each month for one hour at 4 PM EST.
In 2026, we will host top practitioners, analysts, and thinkers to help us reflect and reset our daily work and strategic adaptations. As always, CAYL’s talks and panels feature prominent leaders alongside on-the-ground educators.
The field of early childhood education is facing increasing scrutiny in both policy and practice. As we consider our next steps, the CAYL Institute invites you to join these three dynamic conversations. We intend to have a phenomenal year of reflection, new insights, resetting, and taking action.
Elliot Haspel
CAYL Catalyst Ep. #61 – Reflect for Insight, Reset for Action! – Featuring Elliot Haspel
July 9, 2026
4pm ET / 3pm CT / 2pm MT / 1pm PT
Join us on July 9, 2026, for an important conversation with Elliot Haspel, nationally recognized family policy expert and author. Through his influential books, Crawling Behind: America’s Childcare Crisis and How to Fix It and Raising a Nation: 10 Reasons Every American Has a Stake in Child Care For All, Elliot has helped shape the national dialogue on America’s child care crisis and the path toward a stronger, more equitable system for families.
As we come together, we’ll explore questions such as: Why should every American have a stake in child care? How did we arrive at this moment—and what will it take to build affordable, high-quality options for every family? If we’ve been saying this for years, where might we be missing the mark in how we communicate the urgency of this issue?
Join us on July 9, 2026, for Reflect for Insight, Reset for Action Featuring Elliot Haspel, as we consider what must shift in our thinking, messaging, and advocacy to ensure child care is recognized as essential national infrastructure.
Hosted by Dr. Valora Washington – CEO and President, The CAYL Institute
Rosemarie Allen
CAYL Catalyst Ep. #62 – Reflect for Insight, Reset for Action! – Featuring Rosemarie Allen
August 6, 2026
4pm ET / 3pm CT / 2pm MT / 1pm PT
What if the biggest barriers to belonging are the ones we don’t always see?
How do our beliefs shape children’s experiences?
And what does it take to create environments where every child feels valued and supported?
Join us on August 6 for Reflect for Insight, Reset for Action as we welcome Rosemarie Allen, nationally recognized scholar, author, and advocate for equity in early childhood education.
Through decades of research, teaching, and advocacy, Rosemarie has challenged the field to think differently about equity, bias, and opportunity. Together, we’ll explore how educators and leaders can create learning environments where all children have the chance to thrive.
Hosted by Dr. Valora Washington – CEO and President, The CAYL Institute
Bonnie Neugebauer
Roger Neugebauer
CAYL Catalyst Ep. #63 – Reflect for Insight, Reset for Action! – Featuring Bonnie and Roger Neugebauer
September 3, 2026
4pm ET / 3pm CT / 2pm MT / 1pm PT
What can a lifetime of leadership teach us?
Which lessons stand the test of time?
And what does the future of early childhood education require from all of us?
Join us on September 3 for Reflect for Insight, Reset for Action as we welcome Bonnie and Roger Neugebauer.
For decades, Bonnie and Roger have helped shape the early childhood field through publishing, convening, and connecting leaders around the world. In this special conversation, they’ll share reflections on the relationships, ideas, and experiences that have influenced generations of educators—and what they believe matters most as we look ahead.
Hosted by Dr. Valora Washington – CEO and President, The CAYL Institute
Walter Gilliam
CAYL Catalyst Ep. #64 – Reflect for Insight, Reset for Action! – Featuring Walter Gilliam
October 1, 2026
4pm ET / 3pm CT / 2pm MT / 1pm PT
What happens when research changes the way we think?
How can data help us better support children, families, and educators?
And what should we be paying attention to as we prepare for the future?
Join us on October 1 for Reflect for Insight, Reset for Action as we welcome Walter Gilliam, one of the most influential researchers and thought leaders in early childhood education.
Known for his groundbreaking work on preschool suspension and expulsion, Walter has helped shape national conversations about equity, children’s mental health, and early learning. Together, we’ll explore what research can teach us about the challenges facing the field today—and the opportunities ahead.
Hosted by Dr. Valora Washington – CEO and President, The CAYL Institute