Shaping the Future: Reflecting on Born to Teach Conference 2026

What a week! From July 9-12, 2026, the WINGS Curriculum team headed to Atlanta, Georgia, for our very first Born to Teach Conference. Surrounded by thousands of passionate childcare owners/directors, early childhood educators, administrators, and innovators, the energy was absolutely electric.

As a company dedicated to empowering teachers and uplifting resources for young learners, being in a space so deeply aligned with our mission was nothing short of inspiring. Here is a look back at our favorite highlights, the big conversations we led, and what the future holds for early childhood education (ECE).

The Big Conversation: Advancing AI in ECE

One of our absolute proudest moments of the conference was leading a specialized session on a topic that is top-of-mind for every modern educator: the advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in early childhood education.

When people think of AI, they often think of high school or college classrooms. But the foundations of how we interact with technology begin much earlier. In our Born To Teach Conference session with our strategic partner, we explored how intentional, developmentally appropriate AI tools can be utilized not to replace the human touch, but to amplify it.

In our featured session, "Childcare Is Entering Its AI Era," we discussed how AI can:

• Streamline administrative tasks: Giving teachers hours of their week back to focus on what they do best—teaching.

• Support differentiation: Helping educators quickly brainstorm creative, tailored activities to meet diverse learning needs.

• Enhance documentation: Making it easier to track and share developmental milestones with families.

The takeaway was clear: technology should never replace play-based learning or meaningful human interaction, but when used as a supportive tool, it can help early childhood educators soar by focusing on what's most important - the children.

Connecting in the Exhibit Hall

When we weren't leading sessions, you could find us at the illumine booth in the exhibit hall! Meeting so many of you face-to-face was the ultimate highlight of our experience.

We loved demonstrating how the WINGS Curriculum framework beautifully integrates with modern classroom needs. From handing out resources to hearing your real-world program stories, the booth was a hub of inspiration, laughter, and deep connection. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, grabbed some swag, and shared your vision for your programs with us!

A Powerful Partnership: Thank You, illumine!

An event of this scale doesn't happen without incredible collaboration. We want to extend a massive thank you to our partners at illumine, who served as the official #2 sponsor of the 2026 Born to Teach Conference.

Working alongside a team that shares our dedication to elevating early education childcare management and learning outcomes made the experience even more impactful. Together, we are bridging the gap between innovative curriculum and smart classroom management.

We Want to Hear from YOU!

Our first Born to Teach Conference may be in the books, but the momentum is just getting started. We are returning to our desks (and classrooms/programs) with fresh ideas, renewed passion, and an absolute certainty that the future of early childhood education is brighter than ever.

Whether you joined us in Atlanta or followed along on social media, thank you for being a part of the WINGS community. Let’s keep soaring together!

Did you catch our session in Atlanta or stop by the illumine booth?

• Follow @WINGScurriculum on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram for reflections and footage from Born To Teach 2026! We have so many cool highlights to share!

• We would love for you to send any photos with us to info@wingscurriculum.com.

• Register for the next free webinar in our "teacher burnout" series with illumine.

What are your thoughts on using AI tools to support early childhood teachers? Let us know in the comments below!