MNAFEE Annual Family & Early Childhood Education Conference 

A Celebration 40 Years in the Making — 2026 MNAFEE Conference Recap

The 40th Annual MNAFEE Conference has wrapped, and what a milestone it was.

Educators, family support professionals, coordinators, and leaders from across Minnesota came together in St. Cloud to learn, reconnect, and celebrate 40 years of championing young children and families. The energy was unmistakable from the very first session.

This year's conference was built for every role in the field, and that intentionality showed. Teachers explored fresh strategies for supporting neurodivergent learners and deepening behavior and connection practices. Parent and family educators dove into trauma-informed approaches and found new ways to honor family voice. Leaders tackled data-informed decision-making, licensure updates, and collaborative frameworks for districts across the state.

"So many speakers addressed exactly what we're experiencing in the field right now," shared one ECFE educator. "I'm heading back to my program with concrete strategies for supporting both children and families."

But as always, it was the connections that made it unforgettable - colleagues finally meeting in person, sharing ideas over lunch, and lifting each other up. That's the heartbeat of MNAFEE.

Thank you to every presenter, attendee, and supporter who made the 40th so special. Scroll down to relive the highlights - and we'll see you in 2027.
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​Thursday highlights
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​Friday highlights
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