Bridges to the Future 2025: About

Welcome to Polk County’s 6th Annual Early Childhood and Early Elementary Educators Conference, Bridges to the Future: Connecting Early Learning To Kindergarten. The goal of our time together is to support early elementary school teachers and early learning professionals by providing an opportunity to learn and advance the educational and transition opportunities for the children in our communities.

Over the next two days, early childhood educators, early elementary school teachers, and school staff will hear from a great keynote speaker, participate in self selected workshops including topics such as social emotional learning, supporting children with special needs, mindfulness, and more. These days are about exploration, integration, and connection.
This conference is was brought to you by the collaborative efforts of a partnership between Polk County Family & Community Outreach, The Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub, and Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency Child Care Resource and Referral.

Special thanks to Western Oregon University for providing a space for us all to come together and learn from each other.
For more information about how to stay connected after the conference, contact Stephanie Gilbert at gilbert.stephanie@co.polk.or.us

Event Description:
The goal of the Bridges to the Future: Connecting Early Learning to Kindergarten event is to support early elementary school teachers and staff, and early learning professionals; particularly those with children between the ages of zero to eight, by providing an opportunity to learn and to advance the educational and transition opportunities for the children they teach.

Event Structure:
The 6th Annual Bridges to the Future Early Childhood and Early Elementary Educators Conference will be held on Thursday, March 27th & Friday, March 28th from 8am to 4pm each day at Western Oregon University. The goal of this conference each year is to support early elementary school teachers and staff, and early learning professionals; particularly those with children between the ages of zero to eight, by providing an opportunity to learn and to advance the educational and transition opportunities for the children they teach.

This year, participants will be able to make session selections onsite throughout the duration of the conference. Sessions will be offered in both English and Spanish. Some may inlcude interpretive services. Be sure to check out the event program when you arrive to make your selections.