Fairfax Futures 22nd Annual School Readiness Symposium
May 2026
On Saturday, May 2, Fairfax Futures hosted its 22nd Annual School Readiness Symposium entitled, Voices from the Field – Building Resiliency Through Community Connections. Keisha Dotson, Deputy Director of Fairfax County’s Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), kicked off the event with a warm welcome for nearly 300 early childhood educators from centers, family child care homes and public PreK programs. Fairfax County Braddock District Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer presented a Proclamation for Early Childhood Educators Week (May 4-8, 2026). Ms. Sonia McCormick, Senior Vice President & Director of Client and Community Relations with the PNC Financial Services Group, provided additional opening remarks.
Supervisor Heizer and Monica Jackson
The PNC Foundation’s steadfast support has helped make Fairfax Futures’ Annual School Readiness Symposium a true signature event—now celebrating its 22nd consecutive year. Ms. McCormick shared information about PNC’s Grow Up Great® initiative which provides tools and resources in support of high quality early childhood education.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Anjali Ferguson, a clinical psychologist who serves as the Executive Director for Virginia’s Association for Infant Mental Health, recognized the critical work of early childhood educators. She is also the founder of Parenting Culture, both a resource and community promoting a safe and responsive place for parent dialogue. Her keynote, Holding the Village: Trauma-Informed Practice Through Community and Cultural Humility, explored how early childhood communities can participate in collective resilience in addressing the stress and trauma that children and families are facing today. Check out the recorded keynote address here.
Dr. Anjali Ferguson delivers keynote address
Fairfax Futures planned the event in collaboration with NCS Early Childhood Programs and Services division. Highlights included:
- Channel 16 video segment to be featured in the June edition of County magazine.
- Video interviews conducted by Fairfax Futures Board Member – Julio Gonzalez
- Educator Panel - Voices from the Field: Building Connection and Collective Care
Panelists: Shashi Negi – Family Child Care Owner & Sandra Ninapaytan – Family Child Care Owner
Sandra Ninpaytan, Dr. Anjali Ferguson and Shashi Negi
- Connections Passport for Enhanced Engagement
- Sponsorships from: Scholastic, BCC Consulting, Brookes Publishing Co., and Eleccion LLC.
- Photo Booth for Educators
Educators at Photo Booth
- Raffle Prizes
- Sustainability Initiatives, such as large water jugs, coffee tote recycling and online virtual resources.
Educator at Photo Booth
This year’s symposium featured three distinct breakout sessions on early childhood engagement. Workshop presenters included: Naomi Grinney, and Anna Rogers from the Infant-Toddler Connection of Fairfax-Falls Church; Nicole Ball, Ramona Hamilton, Lisa Pilson and Liz Wagner representing the Early Childhood Kindergarten Team – Fairfax County Public Schools; and Hiba Abdulwahhab, Sandra Chetelat, Tianja Grant, and Patricia Ramirez from the Office of Family and School Partnerships – Fairfax County Public Schools.
Educators at Photo Booth
“On behalf of the Fairfax Futures’ Board of Directors, Fairfax Futures is grateful for the continued generosity of the PNC Foundation. The Symposium marks one day each year where we can come together to honor the hearts and hands that shape our community’s future,” says Sallyann Rodriguez-Sawao, Fairfax Futures’ executive director. “To our early childhood educators, thank you for the care you give and the dedication you show to children and families across the Fairfax County community. It is our hope that this year’s Symposium inspired you to continue growing in your important calling.”
Fairfax Futures Board Members and Keynote Speaker – Dr. Anjali Ferguson
Educators at Photo Booth
To view more photos from our event, please visit our Facebook page and FlickR page.