The 41st Annual R.T. Garcia Early Childhood Winter Conference is a premier professional learning experience hosted by the Center for Educator Success (CES) at Harris County Department of Education (HCDE). It brings together PK3 through 2nd-grade educators and leaders for inspiring keynotes, practical strategies, and hands-on professional development.

ECWC 2027 takes place on Saturday, January 30, 2027. Conference hours are from 8 a.m.– 4 p.m., with Check-In beginning at 7:15 a.m.. The event will be held at the Kingdom Builders' Center, located at 6011 W. Orem Drive, Houston, TX 77085

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The conference is specifically designed for:

• Early Childhood Teachers
• Pre-K and Kindergarten Educators
• Teaching Assistants and Instructional Aides
• Campus and District Leaders
• Early Childhood Specialists and Coaches
• Childcare and Community-Based Program Professionals
• Higher Education Students

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No. While the conference has a strong early childhood focus, sessions are designed for educators and leaders serving students from PK3 through second grade, as well as those supporting early learning programs and initiatives.

Registration rates vary by participant type and booking timeframe:

• Individual Educators and Leaders: $85 early bird / $100 standard
• Groups of 20 or more: $75 per person early bird / $90 per person standard
• Students (with valid higher education ID): $50 early bird / $75 standard
• Presenters who present two or more sessions: Complimentary registration

Yes! You can save $15 to $25 per registration by booking early. Early Bird pricing is available through November 15, 2026.

Yes, group discounts are available for teams of 20 or more attendees ($75 per person during Early Bird or $90 per person during Standard registration). To register a group or arrange payment via district purchase order, select the Group Registration option or email CES@hcde-texas.org.

Yes, higher education students can register for $50 during Early Bird (ends Nov 15, 2026) or $75 for Standard registration. A valid Higher Education Student ID must be presented.

Yes! Conference registration includes access to sessions where attendees will receive Texas Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours for participation.

Breakout sessions will focus on three key strands:

• Teacher Wellness & Personal Growth: Supporting educator mindset, wellness, leadership, resilience, and renewal.
• Designed Instruction & Research-Based Practice: Strengthening intentional teaching through research-based strategies.
• Creative Learning & Innovation: Sparking curiosity, exploration, and problem-solving through innovative experiences.

Call for Presenters is officially open! Early childhood professionals with practical, interactive ideas can submit proposals online via the ECWC Proposal Submission Form. Key dates include:

• Proposals Due: Friday, October 23, 2026
• Acceptance Notifications Sent: Friday, October 30, 2026

Presenters leading 2 or more sessions receive complimentary conference registration. Additionally, school and district presenters earn extra CPE hours for their planning and presentation time.

Yes. Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available for organizations wanting to connect with over 1,000 early childhood education professionals. Details can be found on the ECWC sponsorship page.

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For questions regarding registration, proposal submissions, purchase orders, or general conference information, please email CES@hcde-texas.org.