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Professional learning. Out on the road.
Early Childhood
Leadership in Action
Step inside a school. See what’s working. Bring fresh ideas home.
November 10, 2026 · 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Arrival & coffee begin at 8:45 a.m.
Loftus Early Childhood Center
2004 Tiger Pride Blvd
Sedalia, MO 65301
Our first stop: Sedalia
About the Field Trip
Early childhood leadership brings unique opportunities and challenges. Across Missouri, principals and school leaders are increasingly responsible for early childhood programs, whether in stand-alone centers, elementary schools, or districtwide programs.
MAESP Field Trips take professional learning out of traditional conference rooms and into schools where the work happens. Participants see programs in action, learn from fellow practitioners, explore leadership challenges, and build connections with colleagues.
Our first Field Trip takes us to Loftus Early Childhood Center, where Principal Joel Sherman will welcome participants for a day of learning, observation, and collaboration. Joining Joel are Jamie Dillon, Early Childhood Director at Marshall Public Schools, and Jennifer Fox, Principal at Warrensburg R-VI, who will share perspectives and practices from their own early childhood centers.
Your field trip guides
Learn with Fellow Leaders
Joel ShermanPrincipal - Loftus Early Childhood Center
Sedalia 200
Jaime DillonDirector - Tom Butterfield
Early Childhood Center
Marshall Public Schools
Jennifer FoxPrincipal - Morris L. Collins
Early Childhood Center
Warrensburg R-VI
The day’s itinerary
Arrival & Coffee
Informal connection as participants arrive.
Welcome & Who’s in the Room?
Dr. J Anderson, MAESP Executive Director, welcomes participants, introduces the MAESP Field Trips concept, and leads introductions and a quick conversation about the different ways participants lead early childhood programs.
Leading Early Childhood at Loftus
Joel Sherman shares the Loftus story: program structure, leadership responsibilities, staffing, enrollment, scheduling, family needs, and lessons learned. Less presentation; more conversation.
See It in Action: Loftus Field Trip
Tour the building, classrooms, learning spaces, and support areas. Explore how the facility and its systems support young learners, staff, and families.
Break
The Leadership & Management Side of Early Childhood
Joel Sherman, Jamie Dillon, and Jennifer Fox lead a facilitated conversation around staffing, supervision, compliance, student needs, communication, transitions to kindergarten, managing resources, and the realities that make EC leadership different from K–5 leadership.
Lunch & Leader Connections
Lunch provided. Informal networking and opportunities to connect with colleagues from across Missouri.
Another Lens: Early Childhood Leadership Across Missouri
Jamie Dillon and Jennifer Fox highlight specifics from their respective early childhood centers. Each shares program structures, leadership approaches, successes, and challenges. Participants explore similarities and differences across programs and consider practices they might adapt to their own settings.
Break
Learning From One Another: What’s Working? What’s Hard?
Peer conversations focused on real challenges and promising practices. Participants share what’s working, where they’re struggling, and what they’re learning. Topics may include family engagement, behavior and student supports, staffing, curriculum, culture, community partnerships, and balancing EC with elementary leadership responsibilities. Joel, Jaime, and Jennifer participate alongside attendees.
Take It Home, Closing & Departure
Participants reflect on what they’ve seen and heard, identify practical ideas to bring back to their programs, exchange resources and connections, and share feedback to help shape future MAESP Field Trips. Closing remarks and departure.
Your next great idea could start here.
Join us in Sedalia on November 10. Registration is limited to 30 participants, and lunch is included.
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