PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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PACT Professional Development Days (PDD) for the 2026-2027 School Year

Fall 2026- Virtual- Thursday, Oct. 22 & Wednesday, Oct. 28

Spring 2027-In-Person-Thursday, March 18 from 9am-1pm in Fairfax. Our Spring PDDs will alternate between Rockville and Fairfax each spring in consideration of all of our members’ locations. Registration for the spring will be posted the beginning of March.

Professional Developmental Days: Thursday, October 22 & Wednesday, October 28

PACT is pleased to offer two virtual workshops this Fall 2026: " The Growing Brain: Cognitive and Executive Functioning” by Petrea Hicks and “Everyday Opportunities: Supporting Communication & Development in the Preschool Classroom” by the Skill Builders Team (CWO-164865 for both). 

We have scheduling options for your convenience; sessions will be held Thursday, October 22 from 3-5 PM and 7-9 PM, and Wednesday, October 28 from 3-5 PM and 7-9 PM. You may choose to attend both of the 3-5 PM sessions, both of the 7-9 PM sessions, or both sessions on a single date! See below for more details about the workshops content and presenters.

Workshops Content Descriptions:

“The Growing Brain: Cognitive and Executive Functioning” by Petrea Hicks

Thursday, October 22 3pm to 5pm OR Wednesday, October 28-7pm to 9pm

Description: An innovative course that provides the toolkit for how the brain develops step by step, neuron by neuron. This workshop explains brain processes and the effects of outside influences, along with ways you can encourage healthy brain development in children from birth to five years old. Participants will learn how children develop cognitive and executive functions as their brains develop. 2 hours child development (COK)  

“Everyday Opportunities: Supporting Communication & Development in the Preschool Classroom” by the Skill Builders Team

Thursday, October 22-7pm to 9pm OR Wednesday, October 28-3pm to 5pm

Description: This presentation is designed to help preschool teachers and staff better understand the roles of occupational and speech therapy in supporting preschool-age children. Participants will gain an overview of developmentally appropriate skills, learn to recognize red flags that may warrant further evaluation, and explore practical, classroom-friendly strategies to promote children's communication, motor, sensory, and social-emotional development. The presentation will also address how to approach sensitive conversations with families and emphasize the importance of collaboration and partnership in supporting each child's success. 2 hours special needs (COK)

Presenter Biographies 

Petrea Hicks

Petrea Hicks has over 30 years of experience in the early education field with a master's degree in Early Childhood Education-Curriculum and Instruction.  She has witnessed various changes and believes that through it all, one thing remains constant...children. 

In 2015, Petrea was recognized as a Master Leader in the Exchange Leader Initiative (ELI) and has contributed noteworthy articles to Child Care Exchange magazine (July/August 2017, May/June 2018 and May/June 2020.) 

She has presented at local, state and national early education agencies, including the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in 2017, 2018 and 2022. 

As an approved trainer with Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Division of Early Learning in Washington, D.C. She conducts interactive training workshops that center on young children from birth to school age. Workshop topics include, but not limited to, social-emotional development, brain development, curriculum instruction and design, the classroom environment, positive behavior strategies and culturally responsive literature.

Skill Builders

Jamie Hampton, MS, OTR/L  is a pediatric occupational therapist practicing in Northern Virginia. She has experience treating individuals from infancy through young adulthood. Jamie has experience treating autistic and neurodivergent individuals, as well as those with developmental delays, vision impairments, executive functioning deficits, and sensory processing challenges.

Gabriella “Gabby” Mazzeo, OTD, OTR/L  is a pediatric occupational therapist practicing in Northern Virginia. She enjoys working with clients from toddlerhood through adulthood. Gabby has experience supporting clients with developmental delays, autism, ADHD, sensory processing challenges, and other forms of neurodivergence. She is passionate about trauma-informed care and providing practical solutions for families and schools.

Elizabeth Clark McKenzie, MS, CCC-SLP has been a pediatric speech-language pathologist serving families in Northern Virginia for nearly 20 years. She specializes in working with children from birth through age five, with expertise in early language development and pediatric feeding challenges. Elizabeth’s signature is her connection-based approach, emphasizing that children learn best through meaningful, natural interactions and everyday experiences. She is passionate about equipping parents with practical, responsive strategies that support their child's development while strengthening the parent-child relationship. In addition to providing direct therapy, Elizabeth offers parent coaching, helping families navigate specific developmental challenges while fostering confidence in their own parenting instincts.

Members will receive 2 clock hours of continued education training credit for either course which qualify for Core of Knowledge (COK) in Maryland. 

Registration

Registration and payment can be completed HERE. Please sign up individually to ensure your email is recorded. Registration and Payment are due by Friday, October 16. By completing the Fall PDD registration, you are also receiving a membership to PACT for the 2026-2027 school year and will have access to our Spring Professional Developmental Days. 

Access to the Zoom Link for Fall Professional Development Days

A Zoom link will be e-mailed to registered members 24 hours prior to each session. Please join your training session at least 15-20 minutes early to check audio/video, sign in, and hear announcements from PACT. 

Assessments and Evaluations

Members will be asked to complete a content assessment and presenter evaluation of the virtual course via a Google form. The link will be e-mailed to participants following the PDD and should be completed within 24 hours. **Requirements by MSDE also stipulate members from MD must pass the assessment with a score of 70% or higher.

Certificates

In accordance with MSDE regulations, participants MUST attend the full two-hour virtual presentation and complete a content assessment along with a presenter evaluation before receiving their certificate. Further details about completing the assessment will be covered at the pre-PDD business meeting. Personalized certificates will be emailed within 2 weeks of each Professional Development Day.

Interested in Being a Presenter?

Trainers who would like to present a workshop at a future PACT Professional Development Day, please contact Bernadine Occhiuzzo and Doreen Bunten