MaKami College’s Robin Landals-Hill featured as Early Years Thriving Presenter

CALGARY, AB – MaKami College is proud to announce that Robin Landals-Hill, Department Head of Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC), has been featured as an Early Years Thriving Presenter in 2026 through Early Years Thriving, an organization dedicated to supporting early childhood educators through professional development, leadership training, and online learning opportunities.

As part of the Early Years Thriving educational community, Landals-Hill presented an engaging workshop as a part if the organization’s living library. An ongoing resource for professional development in early childhood. focused on play programming and the planning process calked the child-led planning web developed by Robin to encourage responsive and play-based programming in early childhood programs. The session explored how meaningful, child-led and pre-planned experiences support learning, development, creativity, and well-being while providing practical strategies for educators to create play-rich environments that foster curiosity and strengthen cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.

The inclusion highlights Landals-Hill’s ongoing commitment to supporting early childhood educators and advancing excellence in the field. As Department Head of ELCC at MaKami College, she leads program development, faculty mentorship, instructional innovation, and student success initiatives that help prepare future educators for meaningful careers working with children and families.

Founded by Ana Valle Rivera, a TEDx speaker, keynote speaker, consultant, and experienced early years leader, Early Years Thriving provides leadership training and hosts annual online summits designed to support educators throughout their professional journeys. Through the organization’s Living Library resource, Landals-Hill’s presentation remains available online, allowing educators to continue learning from and applying her insights in their own classrooms.

“Presenting at Early Years Thriving is an opportunity to meet educators where they are, celebrate the incredible work they already do, and provide practical ideas they can use right away,” says Landals-Hill. “My goal is to inspire confidence, support professional growth, and help educators use the power of play to create meaningful learning experiences for children.”

Landals-Hill’s participation as an Early Years Thriving Presenter reflects her passion for lifelong learning, educational leadership, and empowering others through knowledge sharing. Through her work at MaKami College and within the broader early childhood education community, she continues to champion innovative, child-centred practices that support educators, strengthen learning environments, and positively impact the lives of children and families.