Fairfax Futures' 21st Annual School Readiness Symposium
On March 22, 2025, Fairfax Futures, in partnership with Fairfax County’s Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) Early Childhood Programs & Services division and with support from the PNC Foundation, hosted its 21st Annual School Readiness Symposium: Empowering Futures: Cultivating Quality in Early Childhood Education. The event hosted nearly 300 early childhood educators from child care centers, family child care homes, and public Pre-K programs, fostering a day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration.
To learn more about the event, click here to watch the video coverage on Channel 16
A Warm Welcome to Early Childhood Educators
The symposium opened with Keisha Dotson, Deputy Director of NCS, extending a heartfelt welcome to attendees. She emphasized the vital role early childhood educators play in shaping young learners’ futures, acknowledging their dedication to fostering high-quality learning environments. Her words set the stage for a powerful day focused on growth and empowerment.
Following her remarks, Jeffrey Webster, Senior Vice President, Relationship Manager at PNC Financial Services Group, reinforced the significance of investing in early childhood education. He highlighted PNC’s long-standing commitment to supporting educators and young learners through initiatives that promote access, equity, and innovation in early learning. Webster also shared insights about PNC’s Grow Up Great initiative, which provides tools and resources to enhance high-quality early childhood education.
Click Here to Explore the Moments from the Symposium in our Photo Album
Thanks to the enduring support of the PNC Foundation, the Symposium continues to serve as a vital resource for fostering high-quality early learning experiences.
Breakout Sessions
This year’s Symposium featured 10 distinct breakout sessions for educators, each focusing on an aspect of quality in early childhood programs. Workshop presenters represented a variety of organizations, including:
- Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (Infant and Toddler Connection of Fairfax-Falls Church; Institute for Early Learning; and Community Education and Provider Services)
- Fairfax County Public Library
- Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia
- George Mason University
- Lee & Low Books
- Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
Laura Geiken, Early Literacy Services Coordinator at Fairfax County Public Library, shared, “The Annual School Readiness Symposium was a great opportunity to connect with early childhood educators. As an outreach librarian, I spend a lot of time visiting classrooms and I see the hard work our community does to support young children. The Symposium gave the Fairfax County Public Library an opportunity to show teachers many great resources we have that they can bring into their classrooms. Additionally, I love picture books, and I think they can be such powerful tools for teaching different kinds of concepts in the classroom. So, it was a ton of fun for me to showcase some newer, diverse titles that I hope both the teachers and students enjoy.”
Breakout Session
Keynote & Closing Sessions with Dr. Charles A. Barrett
Dr. Charles A. Barrett, a respected district-level administrator, school psychologist, and national leader in education and social justice, bookended the day with inspiring keynote and closing sessions.
Keynote Session: It’s Always About the Children -Educators Bringing Their Whole Selves to the Profession
Dr. Barrett delivered a compelling keynote address, encouraging educators to embrace their full identities and lived experiences in their work. He highlighted how authenticity fosters deeper connections with young learners, enhances engagement, and creates inclusive, supportive learning environments. His message reinforced that early childhood education is not just about teaching—it’s about building relationships and empowering children to thrive.
Closing Session: Social Justice is About Empowering Families
To close out the day full of dynamic learning, Dr. Barrett led a thought-provoking session on the intersection of social justice and early childhood education. He emphasized that equity in education starts with empowering families, ensuring they have access to resources, support, and advocacy. He provided practical strategies for educators to strengthen family partnerships and create more inclusive and equitable early learning experiences.
Educators with Keynote Speaker, Charles Barrett
Resource Fair:
Through a Resource Fair, educators engaged with organizations offering valuable resources for educators and families. The Resource Fair Passport activity encouraged participants to visit the tables for a chance to enter a raffle prize drawing.
Featured Resource Fair Participants: