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Ep 63 Dr. Junlei Li

Junlei Li, Ph.D. is the Program Chair of the Human Development and Education and the Saul Zaentz Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education. As a developmental psychologist, his research and practice focus on supporting the helpers – those who serve children and families on the frontlines of education and social services. Studying orphanages, child care, schools, youth programs, he co-develops the “Simple Interactions” approach (www.simpleinteractions.org) to help affirm what ordinary people do extraordinarily well with children in everyday moments. His work is significantly inspired by the pioneering work of Fred Rogers when he served as the Co-Director and Rita M. McGinley Chair for Early Learning and Children’s Media at the Fred Rogers Center.

Ep 62 Dr. Scott Chamberlin

Dr. Scott Chamberlin is a professor at the University of Wyoming in the field of mathematics education. His research interests include the use of problem solving activities with upper elementary and middle grade gifted students. Specifically, he investigates student affect and creativity as they relate to mathematical problem solving. Recently, he validated the Chamberlin Affective Instrument for Mathematical Problem Solving (CAIMPS), which may be used by classroom teachers to formally assess student affect as they complete problem-solving tasks in mathematics. Another interest of Dr. Chamberlin pertains to student development of highly creative mathematical solutions while completing mathematical problem solving tasks. Much of this work is a direct result of his work with Model-eliciting Activities (MEAs). MEAs are problem-solving tasks in which solvers are expected to create mathematical models to explain and generate understanding about phenomena and concepts in mathematics.

Ep 61 Anne Hillerman

Things you could learn from this BUTTERCUP episode:

• The role of mentorship in her career as a writer.

• What a diary with a lock did for her during childhood.

• How her Mom and her Dad, Tony Hillerman, inspired her reading and writing life.

• What it means to Anne to be seduced by research.

• Her connections to the American western landscapes, Navajo nation, and mystery genre.

• Role of mentorship in her stories with strong and powerful female character Bernadette Manuelito (Navajo Nation police office), retired lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, and office Jim Chee.

• The way Anne sets up her daily routine to write. 

• How a mentor changed her life when she was an intern at a news service job for 90 days for a news service as a copy editor then later a reporter to work at the New Mexican.

More from Anne Hillerman here: Website: https://annehillerman.com/ Facebook: @authotannehillerman

Anne Hillerman is the author of best-selling mystery novels and executive producer of the Dark Winds television series on AMC. Her 10th mystery, tentatively titled Solstice of the Shadows, will be released in 2025. All of her novels have been New York Times Best Sellers.

Anne moved to the Southwest with her parents as a toddler, and has happily lived in Santa Fe and Tucson ever since. The eldest of author Tony Hillerman’s six children, she began her career as a journalist. Her non-fiction book Tony Hillerman’s Landscape, on the Road with Chee and Leaphorn led to the exciting world of mystery fiction.

After her father’s death, Anne decided to continue the Jim Chee/Joe Leaphorn mystery series with her debut novel, Spider Woman’s Daughter. The book elevated a minor character, Officer Bernadette Manuelito, to the role of major crime solver. It received the Spur Award from Western Writers of America as the best first mystery. Anne has been honored with many other awards including several New Mexico/Arizona book awards for best mystery, New Mexico Book of the Year, the Frank Waters Awards, The Mountains and Plains Booksellers Award, The Rounders Award, the Will Rogers Medallion, the Wrangler Award (for Dark Winds), and many others.

AMC’s Dark Winds series grew from stories and characters by Tony and Anne Hillerman. The production stars Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten and Deanna Allison among others. The show has been honored with two Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, a Western Heritage Awards for the best fictional television drama of 2023 and 2024, and several Vision Awards from the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications. In 2024 it was nominated for an Edgar award for best screen play from Mystery Writers of American. Dark Winds is one of the most watched shows on AMC and AMC + 

When Anne’s not working, she loves to walk with her dogs, read, cook, travel and enjoy the night sky. She lives in Santa Fe and Tucson.

Ep 60 Dr. Micki Ostrosky

Micki M. Ostrosky is Grayce Wicall Gauthier Professor of Education in the Department of Special Education and Interim Head of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC). She has been at Illinois since 1991. Throughout her career, she has been involved in research and dissemination on the inclusion of children with disabilities, social and emotional competence, and challenging behavior. She was involved in the development of the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Young Children. Micki is a former editor of Young Exceptional Children (YEC), and the co-editor of several YEC monographs. She has co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and several books, including the Making Friends book (2016), which supports the acceptance of individuals with disabilities, The Project Approach for All Learners (2018), CHAMPPS: Children in Action Motor Program for PreschoolerS (20230, and Unpacking the Pyramid Model: A practical guide for preschool teachers.(2021). Micki has been recognized for her professional accomplishments with honors such as UIUC University Scholar, Goldstick Family Scholar, College of Education Senior Scholar, and the Division of Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Award for Mentoring, and most recently DEC’s Mary McEvoy Service to the Field Award. Finally, Micki has been the advisor of more than 30 PhD students who have graduated from the University of Ilinois.

Ep 59 Dr Ilene Schwartz

Dr. Ilene Schwartz is a professor in the Area of Special Education at the University of Washington and the Director of the Haring Center for Inclusive Education at UW. She earned her Ph.D. in child and developmental psychology from the University of Kansas and is a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA-D). Dr. Schwartz has an active research and professional training agenda with primary interests in the areas of autism, inclusive education, professional ethics, and the sustainability of educational interventions. Dr. Schwartz is the director of Project DATA, a model preschool program for children with autism that has been in operation since 1997 and was started as a model demonstration project with OSEP funding. She is currently working on projects to improve the quality of inclusive services for students with disabilities and strategies that can be used to improve access to services for young children with ASD in under resourced areas.

Ep 58 Dr. Ann Anderson Berry

Dr. Ann Anderson Berry is a Professor and Vice-Chair of Research of the Department of Pediatrics and the Executive Director of the Child Health Research Institute at UNMC and Vice-President of Research at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. Additionally, she serves as Division chief of Neonatology and is the founding Medical Director of the Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPQIC). Her research activities include funded federal and state research grants evaluating Perinatal nutrition and the impact on maternal and fetal outcomes, and grants to better understand Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS), the impact of intrauterine opioid exposure on brain development, and the compounded impact of poor nutrition and social stressors on infants with intrauterine opioid exposure. She is a constant advocate for Nebraska families and understands the importance of recognizing rural and urban needs when allocating perinatal resources. As a mentor to multiple students at the undergraduate, medical student and resident level as well as the PhD students she trains she works to prepare trainees to do impactful and outstanding work in their chosen fields. Dr. Anderson Berry serves on national committees for the American Society of Nutrition, the Pediatric Academic Society and the Association of Neonatologists. She completed her training at the University of Wyoming for undergraduate studies, Creighton University for her medical degree, her Pediatric Residency and PhD at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and her Fellowship in Neonatology at the University of Utah. She loves spend time with her two daughters and husband in the mountains of Wyoming.

Ep 57 Zaentz Early Childhood Initiative

Dr. Danila Crespin Zidovsky is the Senior Policy and Leadership Specialist at the Saul Zaentz Early Education Initiative. Prior to joining Zaentz, Dr. Crespin Zidovsky served as Special Assistant to New Mexico’s Secretary of Education. She has served as senior staff for multiple political campaigns, both at the national and at the local level. She was an original member of U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich’s staff, as well as senior staff during his successful reelection campaign, when only a handful of Democratic representatives won their races across the country. Dr. Crespin Zidovsky has taught both in South Korea and New Mexico, and for numerous nonprofits focused on early education and social justice. She holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Emily Wiklund Hayhurst is the Assistant Director of Learning Design and Communications at the Zaentz Early Education Initiative, where she develops professional learning programs, multimedia resources, and action-oriented tools for early education leaders, practitioners, and policymakers. Emily graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, earning a master’s degree in human development and psychology while participating in the Zaentz Fellows Program. Before coming to Harvard, she served as an early childhood educator in Washington, D.C.

https://zaentz.gse.harvard.edu/

https://zaentznavigator.gse.harvard.edu/

Ep 56 Dr Alessandra Landini

Dr. Alessandra Landini is the Principal of the I.C. A. Manzoni in Reggio Emilia, with a PhD in Human Sciences, thesis in Physics Education from the Department of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and a Master Degree in Organization and Management of Multicultural School Institutions from Alma Mater, Bologna. Her scientific education research project studies a vertical science curriculum based on storytelling and the use of metaphor, between early childhood and secondary school. Her doctoral thesis examined the approach to the study of energy in primary schools and the multi-metaphoric nature of the concept of energy.

Her other areas of interest range from general didactics to innovative teaching. As a General Didactics’ expert at UNIMORE, she provides integrative teaching activities at the university. She collaborates with the "Metaphor and Narrative in Science" research center and provides teacher training on inclusive didactics as a national trainer for AID (Italian Dyslexia Association). Other areas of research focus on the use of descriptive evaluation in first and second grade secondary schools and teacher training as a community of practice, with particular attention to the development of creative skills in STEAM, integrating school and museum settings. Since 2020, she has been studying a vertical curriculum of Heritage and Citizenship with her institute, which leads teachers and students to immerse themselves in the city's territory and museum and cultural heritage.

Ep 55 Dr. Robin McWilliam

Dr. Robin McWilliam is a professor of special education at The University of Alabama . Dr. McWilliam is also the Founder and Director of the Evidence-based International Early Intervention Office (EIEIO). His research interests are in early intervention (birth to age 6), specifically models of service delivery, working with families, and child engagement. Dr. McWilliam developed the Routines-Based Model of Early Intervention (Birth-6) and am involved in its implementation in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, and the U.S. Dr. McWilliam developed the international community of practice called The RAM Group, to provide research and technical assistance on the Routines-Based Model. Dr. McWilliam teaches doctoral students, lectures, conducts workshops, and writes. He serve as the International Editor of the scholarly journal Infants & Young Children and serves on numerous editorial boards.

Ep 54 Dr. Scott McConnell

Dr. Scott McConnell has been a teacher, program director, researcher and college professor interested in preschool and early elementary education for more than 40 years. Scott is a professor emeritus of educational psychology at the University of Minnesota and Director of Assessment Innovation at Renaissance Learning. Prior to joining Renaissance, Scott was part of a multi-university team that developed Individual Growth and Development Indicators, and he’s conducted research on their use in preschool classrooms. His professional interests focus on young children’s paths to becoming proficient readers, and the ways that systematic interventions like multi-tiered systems of support can help all children achieve that goal. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Portland State University and his master’s degree in school psychology and PhD in educational psychology at the University of Oregon. Scott lives in Minnesota, and he and his wife Laurie Davis are parents of four adult children.

Ep 53 Dr. Edward Melhuish

Edward Melhuish is Professor of Human Development at the University of Oxford. He has been the Director of the National Evaluation of Sure Start (2001-2012), the Effective Pre-school Primary & Secondary Education (EPPSE, 1997-2014) and SEED projects.  He is currently undertaking longitudinal studies of 4000 children in England and Norway.  These studies contributed to social policy in the UK for families, early years services and education, including universal provision of pre-school for all 3 & 4 year-olds and establishing 3500 Children’s Centres, Every Child Matters and 10-Year Childcare strategies, and early education for 2-year-olds for the 40% most disadvantaged.  He has given evidence to parliamentary committees and is an advisor to research councils in Norway, Finland, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Australia,  Korea, Canada, USA, Chile, and the European Commission, OECD and WHO.

Ep 52 Dr. Emer Ring

Prof Emer Ring is Dean of Early Childhood and Teacher Education at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. Prof Ring leads and manages one of the largest education faculties in Ireland, which provides a wide range of programmes from early childhood to post-primary level at undergraduate and post-graduate levels. She is a Lecturer in the area of Early Years Education, Inclusion and Education Policy on the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education (BA ECCE) and the Bachelor of Education (BEd) programmes. Prof Ring’s previous experience includes Head of Department of Reflective Pedagogy and Early Childhood Studies (2011-2019). She engages in, and has led a wide range of national and international research in education related to early childhood, primary, post-primary, and special school contexts, including presenting at conferences and seminars and publishing widely. Prof Ring has also been District and Senior Department of Education Inspector with responsibility for inspection of education provision for children in early years,’ primary, post primary and special school settings (2001-2011), with a particular focus on special education. Her teaching experience spans the role of early years education and shared teacher of children with special educational needs (1981 – 2001). Prof Ring engages in supervision of students on practicum experiences and supervises a wide range of undergraduate and post-graduate research at Masters’ and PhD levels. Prof Ring led the design, development and evaluation of the multiple-award winning Leadership for INClusion in the Early Years (LINC) Programme focused on supporting inclusion in early childhood settings. She has extensive experience in the development of inclusion across the education system and has recently completed a publication for the National Council for Special Education focused on charting the development of special education in Ireland 1922-2022. Other publications include Leading Inclusion from the Inside Out: A Handbook for Parents and Early Childhood Teachers in Early Learning and Care, Primary and Special School Settings; Autism from the Inside Out: A Handbook for Parents, Early Childhood, Primary, Post-primary and Special School Settings and The Contemporary Relevance of John Dewey’s Theories on Teaching and Learning: Deweyan Perspectives on Standardization, Accountability, and Assessment in Education. Together with Dr Lisha O’Sullivan, Prof Ring is co-authoring a further publication for Peter Lang: Play from the Inside Out: A Handbook for Students, Teachers and Parents, which is due for publication in 2024.

Ep 51 Michelle Kang CEO NAEYC

Michelle Kang serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a global association advocating for high quality early learning for all children.

Prior to becoming CEO, Michelle served as NAEYC’s inaugural Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, in which she oversaw the strategy and daily operations for Membership, Early Learning Program Accreditation, Publications, Conference, Market Solutions and Global Engagement. During her tenure, the organization dramatically pivoted to serve the field through the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, including successfully conducting virtual conferences serving thousands of educators, the first-ever Symposium on Developmentally Appropriate Practice and a virtual Professional Learning Institute that delivered more than 235,000 certificates of professional development. She has guided the substantial system adjustments necessary to support child care and preschools attaining and maintaining accreditation through the pandemic and shepherded the development and launch of the fourth edition of NAEYC’s Developmentally Appropriate Practice book, a critical text used widely as the basis for quality early learning.

Prior to joining NAEYC, she served in leadership roles at Bright Horizons, an international provider of early education, most recently as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Operational Strategy. Her 16-year tenure at Bright Horizons included building partnerships with leading global employers to develop and implement dependent care supports–child care, back-up care, and educational advising services. In building these partnerships, she gained a deep appreciation for the life-changing work that early educators do every day.

Drawing on her experiences as the daughter of Korean immigrants, Michelle is committed to creating belonging within organizations and developing inclusive leadership and mentoring opportunities. Also an ardent supporter of higher education student development, Michelle has served as a Resident Tutor and Scholar at Harvard University and as a member of the Student Engagement and Leadership Advisory Board for The College of William & Mary.

Michelle holds a Bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary, a Masters of Education in Leadership and Policy from the University of Virginia and a Masters of Science in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management from Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford (UK). She and her husband live in Maryland with their three children.

Ep. 50 Dr. Iheoma U. Iruka

Iheoma U. Iruka, Ph.D., is a Research Professor in the Department of Public Policy, a Fellow at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG), and the Founding Director of the Equity Research Action Coalition at FPG at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Iruka is leading projects and initiatives focused on ensuring that minoritized children and children from low-income households, especially Black children, are thriving through the intersection of anti-bias, anti-racist, culturally grounded research, program, and policy. Some focus areas include family engagement and support, quality rating and improvement systems, and early care and education system and programs. Dr. Iruka serves on numerous national and local boards and committees, including the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the American Psychological Association’s Board of Educational Affairs, Brady Education Foundation, and Trust for Learning. In addition to being on the National Advisory Committee for the U.S. Census Bureau, Dr. Iruka is a Census Advisor for the National Urban League.

Dr. Iruka is the recipient of the 2022 American Psychological Association Mid-Career Award for Outstanding Contributions to Benefit Children, Youth, and Families.

She has a B.A. in Psychology from Temple University, an M.A. in Psychology from Boston University, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in applied developmental psychology from the University of Miami, FL.

Ep 49 Al Spain - Co-Founder of jetBlue

Al Spain has over 50 years of operations leadership. His background reflects a career spanning general aviation, military, airline, and corporate aviation operations. Most recently, Captain Spain served as a founder and Senior Vice President Operations of JetBlue Airways Corporation in New York. He retired from JetBlue in 2006 and prior to JetBlue, he was Vice President Flight Operations for Continental Micronesia Airlines, a subsidiary of Continental Airlines. Captain Spain retired from Continental Airlines in 1998 after serving in Flight Standards and Training Division as well as a Captain in line flight operations. He was the FAA designated Director of Operations for both Continental Micronesia and JetBlue. He was domicile Chief Pilot for Oceanic Contractors, a privately owned airline operating in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Most recently, Captain Spain served on the Board of Directors of Pinnacle Airlines, Inc.

He has recently served the US Federal Government’s Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) as an Independent Assessment Team member. He also was a member of the National Academies of Science, National Research Committee on Research and Development for Wake Turbulence and NAOMS review committee. He recently served on the FAA Safety Team (FAAST) as a Safety Representative. He is currently involved with Civil Air Patrol at the Wing and National levels, is working with Unmanned Aircraft System development, and is also a member of the Association of Unmanned Vehicles International.

Mr. Spain holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from Concordia University (Montreal, Canada). He is a Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, has served as a member of the Industry Advisory Board of MIT’s Global Aviation Industry Program, and was a member of the Aviation Department Advisory Committee of the State University of New York at Farmingdale. Captain Spain served on the board of The Low Country Economic Development Alliance and the Beaufort County Airports Board. He previously served on the Aviation Management Advisory Board of Auburn University and is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors. Captain Spain flew as a combat pilot in Vietnam (Forward Air Controller) and among his awards are the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Air Medal for Valor. His last military assignment was as Chief, Flight Evaluation Branch, USAAVNS.

Ep 48 Dr. Timothy Almon Askew

Dr. Timothy Almon Askew holds a B.A. degree from Morehouse College, Summa Cum Laude with Phi Beta Kappa distinction as a junior-year inductee.  He received the master’s degree at Yale University.  Dr. Askew was an NCEA Doctoral Fellow  in the English Department at the University of South Florida. Pursuing an interdisciplinary degree in American Studies and focusing on American Literature and American Music,  he received the Ph.D.  degree at Emory University and had the distinction of being the first Ph.D. Marshal at the University. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including a 4-year Academic Scholarship, Morehouse College; Readers Digest Foundation Scholar, Morehouse College; University Fellowships, Yale University; National Consortium for Educational Access Doctoral Fellowship, The University of South Florida; University Fellowships, Emory University; The United Negro College Fund Dissertation Fellowship; Teacher of the Year, Clark Atlanta University; The N.A.A.C.P.  Image Award for Excellence in Teaching English, Clark Atlanta University; National Endowment for the Humanities Scholar.  Dr. Askew was the Atlanta Public Library “Lift Every Voice and Sing” Centennial Celebration Speaker  at Georgia State University and has been featured in the Atlanta Constitution  and the Houston, Texas newspaper African American News for his research on the song, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”  Dr. Askew is a tenured Full Professor of English and Humanities at Clark Atlanta University. He is the Founding President of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at Clark Atlanta University and a Sustaining Member of Phi Beta Kappa.  He is the author of the following books:  Cultural Hegemony and African American Patriotism:  An Analysis of the Song, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and Refreshing The American Literary Canon, both by Linus Publications, New York.  Dr. Askew is the 2017 C. Eric Lincoln Scholar at Clark Atlanta University, one of the highest honors bestowed on a professor at the university. On May 22, 2019, Dr. Askew received the highest honor bestowed on a faculty member at Clark Atlanta University,  the Aldridge/McMillan Award for overall excellence in teaching, research, and service. Dr. Askew was named a Mellon Scholar, February 2020.

Ep 47 Dr Walter Gilliam

Walter S. Gilliam is the Elizabeth Mears & House Jameson Professor of Child Psychiatry and Psychology at the Yale Child Study Center and Director of Yale’s Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy. Dr. Gilliam is Vice President of ZERO TO THREE, a past president of Child Care Aware of America; board Treasurer for the Irving Harris Foundation, and a board director for First Children’s Finance, and All Our Kin; and a former Senior Advisor to the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Dr. Gilliam is co-recipient of the prestigious 2008 Grawemeyer Award in Education for the coauthored book, A Vision for Universal Preschool Education. Dr. Gilliam’s research involves early childhood education and intervention policy analysis (specifically how policies translate into effective services), ways to improve the quality of prekindergarten and child care services, the impact of early childhood education programs on children’s school readiness, and effective methods for reducing classroom behavior problems and preschool expulsion, as well as issues of COVID-19 transmission, vaccination, and health and safety promotion in early childhood settings. His scholarly writing addresses early childhood care and education programs, school readiness, and developmental assessment of young children. Dr. Gilliam has led national analyses of state-funded prekindergarten policies and mandates, how prekindergarten programs are being implemented across the range of policy contexts, and the effectiveness of these programs at improving school readiness and educational achievement, as well as experimental and quasi-experimental studies on methods to improve early education quality. His work frequently has been covered in major national and international news outlets for print (e.g., New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, LA Times), radio (e.g., NPR), and television (e.g., CNN Headline News, NBC TODAY Show, CBS Early Show, ABC Good Morning America, ABC World News Tonight, FOX News). Dr. Gilliam actively provides consultation to state and federal decision-makers in the U.S. and other countries (such as the People’s Republic of China and the United Arab Emirates) and frequently provides U.S. Congressional testimony and briefings on issues related to early care and education.

Ep 46 Chrisanne Gayl

Chrisanne Gayl is an education leader with over twenty years of policy experience at the federal, state, and local levels. As Chief Strategy and Policy Officer, Chrisanne oversees Trust for Learning's overall grant-making efforts and leads its policy strategy. Chrisanne served as a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Education, where she was responsible for developing new policies and programs to expand high-quality learning opportunities and supportive services for the nation’s children. She has also worked as the Director of Federal Programs for the National School Boards Association and as an education advisor to the governor of California. Chrisanne has testified in front of Congress and has authored numerous publications. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University and received her undergraduate degree from Colby College.

Ep 45 Dr. Natalie Danner

Dr. Natalie Danner is the Early Childhood Content and Engagement Coordinator for the Illinois Early Learning Project. She has worked as an early childhood teacher educator in Nebraska, Oregon, and Connecticut.  Dr. Danner has over ten years of experience as an inclusive early childhood (Pre-K & K) teacher and school leader in New York City and Arizona, specializing in the Montessori approach. She earned her Ph.D. in early childhood special education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her research focuses on how teachers support young children with disabilities in their inclusive classrooms as well as the creation and adoption of the EI/ECSE personnel preparation (teacher education) standards. 

Ep 44 Dr. Bo Stjerne Thomsen

Dr. Bo Stjerne Thomsen is Vice-President, Chair of Learning Through Play, and member of the Leadership Team at the LEGO Foundation. As Chair and senior expert on how children and adults learn through play, he provides consultation at a bilateral, regional and multilateral level to international partners and leaders. He represents the LEGO Foundation and the LEGO Brand Group at international forums, and advises leadership teams across the LEGO entities, to attain the overall LEGO Brand Vision of becoming a global force for Learning Through Play.

Over the years, Bo lead the international research agenda and organizational expertise on children’s development, play and learning for the LEGO Foundation and supporting the LEGO Group. In his previous roles as Director of the LEGO Learning Institute, Head of the Centre for Creativity, Play and Learning, and Global Head of Research, he built more than 15 international research partnerships and supported the implementation of evidence into projects across 20+ countries, to raise awareness around the role and impact of play on creativity and lifelong learning.

Bo Stjerne has published widely on Creativity, Play and Learning, most recently on the integrated role of technologies in everyday life, and the systems change needed in schools and education to achieve equitable outcomes with learning through play. He is a frequent contributor and advisor to international forums like OECD, WISE, UNGA and WEF, and provides research directions for projects worldwide, to bring attention to the quality of childhood and the power of learning through play.

He holds a master’s degree in design, architecture and engineering, and a PhD on performative technologies and learning environments. He has been a visiting scholar at the MIT Media Lab in Boston, studied research management and leadership at Copenhagen Business School and IMD in Switzerland, and an advisor to various international research organizations including the Torrance Centre for Creativity, the University of Cambridge PEDAL Research Centre, WISE, OECD, Design for Play in Denmark, World Innovation Summit for Education, and the Lifelong Learning Lab at Tsinghua University.

You can follow him on Twitter: @BoStjerne

Ep 43 Dr. Rhian Evans Allvin

Chief Executive Officer

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Rhian Evans Allvin serves as the chief executive officer of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a position she has held since August 2013. She is responsible for guiding the organization’s strategic direction as well as overseeing daily operations. NAEYC is the largest national professional association for early childhood educators. Its mission is to promote high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. NAEYC advances a diverse and dynamic early childhood profession and supports all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. During Rhian’s tenure, NAEYC has successfully completed a dramatic structural transformation to: better serve members nationally and at the state and local levels; exert strong policy and advocacy leadership; and streamline NAEYC’s early childhood program accreditation system to decisively and accessibly define early childhood program quality.   

Before joining NAEYC, Evans Allvin was a guiding force in Arizona’s early childhood movement for more than 15 years. In 2006, she cowrote the citizens’ ballot initiative that created First Things First (FTF), which set aside $130 million in annual Arizona tobacco tax monies to support the health, development, and education of children birth to age 5. FTF also created a state agency to ensure that all Arizona children start kindergarten prepared to succeed in school and in life. Then-governor Janet Napolitano appointed Evans Allvin to FTF’s inaugural state board, on which she served for three years before becoming FTF’s chief executive officer. During her tenure, the organization led and participated in a variety of Arizona statewide early childhood systems-building efforts, including panels that adopted the Arizona Model Early Childhood System Framework; the development of FTF’s 10 School Readiness Indicators; the FTF National Research and Evaluation Advisory Panel; and the development and rollout of Quality First, Arizona’s quality rating and improvement system. 

Earlier experiences also helped prepare Rhian for her role at NAEYC. As a founding partner in the Brecon Group, she specialized in public policy, philanthropy, and community engagement. As senior advancement officer at the Arizona Community Foundation, she used her knowledge in community organizing, communications, fundraising, and nonprofit management to help donors connect their philanthropic interests with community needs. Additionally, she served in leadership roles with Libraries for the Future, a national nonprofit promoting the important role of public libraries in American life, and Children’s Action Alliance, Arizona’s state-based child advocacy organization.  

Rhian has authored a number of white papers, articles, policy briefs, and reports, and she regularly serves as a presenter for diverse international, national, state, and community conversations. 

Rhian Evans Allvin holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and a master’s degree in business administration from Arizona State University. She has earned various honors and widespread recognition for her work on behalf of children, including being inducted into the Northern Arizona University College of Education Hall of Fame in 2016 and being given the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center’s Excellence in Early Education Award in 2015, the Southern Arizona AEYC’s Board Award in 2014, and the Junior League of Phoenix Valley’s Impact Award in 2011.  Rhian is married to Paul Allvin, and they live in Falls Church, Virginia, with their three children. 

Ep 42 BizKids

I talk to three facilitators of the BizKids Club held through the Orange County Library System, which introduces kids to business and entrepreneurship.

Michael Linden is a Technology Trainer for the Orange County Library System, where he's served the public for 15 years. He delivers in-person and online classes with a focus on accessibility, adaptation, and personal safety in computer applications and on mobile devices. He also provides one-on-one assistance for library visitors during scheduled Open Lab classes.

Oliva Okolue is a Casual Technology Trainer for the Orange County Library System, where she has served part of the BizKids Program for 1.5 years. She is also the Owner and Designer for Livi Simone Designs, an online handmade accessories business. She assists in the BizKids Program by utilizing her experience as a business owner.

Tony Orengo is an Instructional Technology Specialist at the Technology and Education Center. He has been a part of the Orange County Library System based in Orlando, Florida, for 17 years and is responsible for the design and development of classroom training and e-learning programs that integrate current and emerging technologies.

Ep 41 Dr Jennifer Ledford

Jennifer Ledford, PhD, BCBA-D, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education in the Early Childhood Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs. Dr. Ledford has expertise in single case research design, response prompting procedures, and classroom-based peer-mediated instruction. Her current research relates to improving use and synthesis of research in special education, treating food selectivity and increasing imitation for children with autism, and improving the use of evidence-informed practices by practitioners. She was recently awarded the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Award for Mentoring. Dr. Ledford is the author of more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and two textbooks related to single case design and instruction for young children.

Ep 40 David Dotson

David Dotson is currently the CEO of The Dollywood Foundation. During his 20 year tenure at The Dollywood Foundation, he has led the expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program works with 2000 local partners to gift a new book each month to over 1.4 million preschool children in 5 countries. The Imagination Library has gifted 130 million books since the program’s inception.

 The Foundation also provides $100,000 for scholarships each year to local high school students.

 In November of 2016, he was asked to spearhead the effort to create The My People Fund to provide $12,000,000 of direct assistance to 900 families who lost their homes to the fires which swept through Sevier County, Tennesseee  just after Thanksgiving.

 In addition, he coordinated the publication of several books by Dolly including Dream More, Dixie Fixins, I Am a Rainbow and the new edition of Coat of Many Colors. Other projects include the production of Dolly’s children album I Believe in You; oversight of Dolly’s museum, Chasing Rainbows; and he is part of the team that developed and now maintains her website, Dolly Parton.com

 Mr. Dotson was previously the Executive Director of Associated Catholic Charities of East Tennessee  and the Field Representative for the Appalachian region for The Youth Project.

Ep 39 Celeste Headlee

Award-winning journalist, professional speaker and author of We Need To Talk: How To Have Conversations That Matter, Celeste Headlee, released her latest book, Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving, in March 2020. A timely, actionable and illuminating manifesto, Do Nothing, reveals that despite our constant search for new ways to “hack” our bodies and minds for peak performance, human being are working more - not less, living harder - not smarter, and becoming more lonely and anxious. Celeste shines a light on a new path ahead with a call to institute a global shift in our thinking so we can stop sabotaging our well-being, put work aside and starting living instead of doing. She shares the keys to embracing what makes us human: our creativity, our social connections (Instagram DOESN’T count), our ability for reflective though, and our capacity for joy, and unveils strategies that allow us to regain control over our lives and break our addiction to false efficiency. Celeste is a globally-recognized journalist and expert in conversation and communication. She’s a regular guest host on NRP and American Public Media, and co-host of the new series Retro Report on PBS. Celeste’s TEDx Talk sharing 10 ways to have a better conversation has over 23 million total views to date and she serves as an advisory board member for ProCon.org and The Listen First Project. She received the 2019 Media Changemaker Award.

WE NEED TO TALK. They are, perhaps, the most dreaded four words in the English language. But in her timely and practical book, WE NEED TO TALK: How to Have Conversations That Matter (Harperwave), journalist and public radio host Celeste Headlee makes the case that they are urgently needed. Today most of us communicate from behind electronic screens, and studies show that Americans feel less connected and more divided than ever before. The blame for some of this disconnect can be attributed to our political landscape, but the erosion of our conversational skills as a society lies with us as individuals. And the only way forward, says Headlee, is to start talking to each other. In We Need to Talk, she outlines the strategies that have made her a better conversationalist and offers actionable steps anyone can take to improve their communication skills.

Ep 38 Sylvia Acevedo

“There’s more to life than being a passenger.”
                                                                   -- Amelia Earhart
Entrepreneur, investor, business leader, rocket-scientist. Passionate about building, scaling and leading market transitions. Startup mindset; global outlook. Devout believer in the power of transformation and disruption to change and improve lives, communities, organizations – and the world.

Author of Path to the Stars: My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist, which details Sylvia’s personal journey from the dirt streets of Las Cruces, New Mexico, to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the top executive tiers of Apple, Dell, IBM and other U.S. technology leaders.  

Most recently served as CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. One of the most enduring non-profits in the world, Girl Scouts supports more than 2.5 million girls worldwide and generates more than $800 million annually through its iconic cookie program to support local Girl Scouting.

Committed to STEM as a critical platform for providing girls with the skills they’ll need for entrepreneurship, coding, cybersecurity, robotics, and leadership. Strong believer in mentoring, with a focus on encouraging the rising generation.

Chair of President Obama’s White House initiative for Educational Excellence for Hispanics in early childhood leadership. Driver of the Administration’s Early Childhood Dual Language Education Policy.

National speaker on Education, STEM, cybersecurity, demographic trends and leadership.

Ep 37 Zibby Owens

Zibby Owens is a CEO, author, influencer, podcast host, and media personality. She is the creator and host of award-winning podcast, “Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books,” in which she conducts warm, inquisitive conversations with authors as wide-ranging as Alicia Keys and Lena Dunham to Delia Owens and Jennifer Weiner. Before the pandemic, Zibby ran a literary salon, hosted her own book fairs, and was a frequent bookstore event moderator. During the quarantine, Zibby hosted a daily Instagram Live author talk show and launched an online magazine with original author-written essays called “We Found Time.” She also started Zibby’s Virtual Book Club. Zibby has recommended books in the Washington Post, Good Morning America and Real Simple and has appeared on Good Morning America, Good Day LA, Good Day DC, Good Day Dallas, and NY1. She has written for Marie Claire, Redbook, the New York Times online, and many other publications. Zibby currently has a two-book deal for children’s books with Penguin Random House. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business School, Zibby currently lives in the New York area with her husband and her four children.

Ep 36 Bill Isler

Bill Isler is President Emeritus of  Fred Rogers Productions and a long time educator and advocate for children.  He began his career as a teacher and administrator, and later joined the Pennsylvania Department of Education, where he served as Executive Assistant to the Secretary of Education, Commissioner of Basic Education and Senior Program Advisor for Early childhood Education before joining the Fred Rogers Productions in 1984.  In 2005 he was named the Executive Director of The Fred Rogers Center, a position he held until 2008. 

In addition to serving on the Board of The Fred Rogers Productions, he is a board member of the Grable Foundation, the Forbes Fund,  the Jewish Community Center of Pittsburgh and he Co-chairs the Governors Early Learning Council. He is an honorary member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, served as Treasurer of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Chairperson of the Council of Great City Schools,  board member of the Jewish Health Care Foundation of Pittsburgh, and he was a board member of The Pittsburgh Public Schools for sixteen years, serving as President for five years.

He received the Pittsburgh Foundation Isabel Kennedy Award for child advocacy, was named person of the year in 2007 by the Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Green-Gardner Award as Urban Educator of the Year in 2015 for the Council of Great City Schools, the Colman Award from the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Politics, and the PBS Be More Award for Excellence in Children’s Media.

Bill Isler holds a B.A. in English from Saint Vincent College and completed post-graduate study in child development at the University of Pittsburgh.  He is married and has a son and two grandchildren.

Ep 35 Marisa Macy, Ph.D.

After singing “The More We Get Together,” Marisa reads “Llama Llama Wakey-Wake” by Anna Dewdney. This is a good book for talking to young children about routines.

Ep 34 Arthur Sims, J.D.

Arthur Sims is a graduate of Morehouse College (B.A., magna cum laude, 1990). He completed his law degree at Cornell University Law School (J.D., 1994).  Subsequently, he was involved in further study at University of Central Florida and the Rosen College of Hospitality Management (2001-2002, 2004-2006).

Mr. Sims has diverse legal and business experience in the areas of general corporate, sports and entertainment, media and technology, hospitality and gaming as well as intellectual property law and hospitality related real estate development transactions. He has represented Fortune 500 corporations; resort developers, owners and operators; cruise lines; casino owners and operators; and gaming equipment manufacturers and owners in structuring and negotiating venture capital transactions, strategic alliances, franchise agreements, membership agreements, mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures.

Working with professional sports franchises and athletes, entertainment companies, entertainers, producers and production companies, publishers, and managers, Mr. Sims has developed and negotiated lucrative opportunities for his clients.  Mr. Sims has experience representing issues in Major League Baseball and the National Football league as well as negotiating player and endorsement contracts for first round draft choices and hall of fame athletes. He has negotiated domestic and international multi-million dollar licensing, distribution, production and multimedia agreements for renowned entertainers; music, film, and television entities; video game designers; museums; management and publishing companies, including, but not limited to serving as general counsel for famed entertainment manager, Johnny Wright, and the Wright Entertainment Group.

Mr. Sims is a member of the Entertainment Management Faculty at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida and a Partner at the law firm of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP. He is admitted to The Florida Bar and is a member of the Bar’s Business, Entertainment and Intellectual Property Sections.

Mr. Sims can be found on Facebook and Instagram at mastarmynde

Ep 33 Mr. Harris Rosen and Dr. Chuck Dziuban

Mr. Harris Rosen, the president and owner of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, and Dr. Chuck Dziuban, Director of the Research Initiative for Teaching Effectiveness at the University of Central Florida, discuss the Parramore and Tangelo Park programs.  These programs benefit the children, families, communities and the public at large.  They stress that not only are these philanthropic programs to help those communities, but they have a significant positive economic impact far beyond the level of investment in these programs.

More information can be found about these two programs, and other philanthropic efforts by Mr. Rosen, at tangeloparkprogram.com and rosengivesback.com. Rosen Hotels & Resorts information can be found on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rosenhotels/ and on Instagram at @rosenhotels.

Dr. Dziuban can be contacted at Charles.Dziuban@ucf.edu, for more information on the impact data that has been gathered on these programs, and he can be followed on Twitter at @papuga.

Ep 32 Dr. Julie Wei

Dr. Julie Wei is an internationally recognized award-winning Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon, speaker, creator of online courses for parents, and author of A Healthier Wei and co-author of Acid Reflux in Children. She currently serves as the Division Chief of Pediatric Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, and Audiology. Dr. Wei is a Professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Central Florida’s College of Medicine and serves as the Chair of Otolaryngology Education.

A passionate children’s health advocate, Dr. Wei has been highlighted on TEDx “The Hidden Dangers of the Milk and Cookie Disease” and on The Doctors TV Show teaching audiences about how diet and dietary habits lead to acid reflux, which negatively impact children’s health. She has appeared on various national and local news outlets including Fox News Online. A prominent peer-reviewed author, Dr. Wei’s research has been published in scientific journals including Laryngoscope and the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. She is currently a board member and contributing author for ENT Today.

As a result of her more than 15 years of clinical experience and applied research, Dr. Wei believes that many children suffering from runny noses, allergy symptoms and sore throats are being misdiagnosed and overmedicated. She learned what is not taught in medical and surgical training: diet and dietary habits of children and the adults that feed them are responsible for many of these symptoms. In 2018, Dr. Wei launched the Healthy Kids Movement, a national campaign based on her core commitment to create a paradigm shift in how medical professionals and parents prevent, protect, and restore children’s health. She is singularly focused on sharing her observations and treatment successes with all who care for children, including parents, teachers, physicians and healthcare systems.

Ep 31 Drs. Wilkerson, Chapman & Samuels

Dr. Amanda Wilkerson is an Assistant Professor of Urban Education at the University of Central Florida in the College of Community Innovation and Education. Wilkerson has written educational materials and coordinated forums on significant social, educational, and community matters. Emerging social justice advocate and scholar, Dr. Wilkerson serves as the guest editor for the Urban Education Research and Policy Annuals Journal-Hillard Sizemore Special Edition. Wilkerson seeks to build a better world through cooperation, collaboration, and community action. As a part of her passion for higher education, Amanda is enhancing how students seize the promise of post-secondary education through access. Specifically, she creates and manages collaborative partnerships that provide important services for underserved student populations. As a passionate supporter of civic engagement, Amanda continues to work on community development projects, charitable missions, and advocacy initiatives for nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies. Her twitter handle is #DrAVWilkerson

Dr. DeShawn Chapman has positioned her work at the intersection of educational research and practice. Beginning as a middle and high school classroom teacher, DeShawn honed her core skills in curriculum and instruction by working in general and special education at both suburban and urban schools. Roles such as Department Chair, Faculty Advisory Committee Chair, Program Developer and Research cultivated Dr. Chapman’s expertise as a teacher leader. Currently, she is an instructor of classroom management, diversity, and teaching methods courses in Valencia College’s Educator Preparation Institute, as well as, the Director of First Star Central Florida Academy – a college and career preparation program for high school youth in foster care, housed in the College of Community Innovation and Education at the University of Central Florida.  Dr. Chapman uses her research and experience in traditional and non-traditional educational spaces to encourage the development of learning environments that result in equitable educational outcomes for underserved students, particularly students impacted by poverty and trauma.

Dr. Shalander Samuels is currently a high school English teacher and adjunct professor. Her research interests include: English Speakers of Other Languages’ (ESOL) achievement and gaps in learning as well as creating unique literacy intervention programs in majority minority communities. She is keen on developing varying opportunties through the concepts of intersectionality whilst connecting higher education and grades k-12 research, especially in urban areas. Dr. Samuels has written several educational materials and presented at national and international conferences as well as she has coordinated research forums that focuses on literacy. Her instagram is the.teacher.corner

Ep 30 David Lawrence Jr.

David Lawrence Jr. retired in 1999 as publisher of The Miami Herald to work in the area of early childhood development and readiness. He chairs The Children’s Movement of Florida, aimed at making children the state’s top priority for investment. He has served on the Governor’s Children and Youth Cabinet and twice chaired the Florida Partnership for School Readiness. In 2002 and 2008 he led successful campaigns for The Children’s Trust, a dedicated source of early intervention and prevention funding for children in Miami-Dade. In 2002-3 he chaired the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Child Protection, and in 2011 chaired a similar panel for the Department of Children and Families. In 2002, he was a key figure in passing a statewide constitutional amendment to provide pre-K for all 4 year olds. He is the founding chair of the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade and Monroe. The David Lawrence Jr. K-8 Public School opened in 2006. An endowed chair in early childhood studies is established in his name at the University of Florida. In 2015 he was appointed by the Governor as a trustee of Florida A&M University. His memoir, “A Dedicated Life: Journalism, Justice and a Chance for Every Child,” was published in 2018.

Ep 29 Paul H. Dworkin, MD

Paul Dworkin is Executive Vice President for Community Child Health at Connecticut Children's Medical Center and professor of pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.   For 15 years, he served as physician-in-chief at Connecticut Children’s and chair of Pediatrics at UCONN.  Dr. Dworkin’s interests are at the interface among child development, child health services, and child health policy and he has authored more than 150 publications.  Dr. Dworkin’s honors include teaching awards, visiting professorships, and named lectureships.  He was the editor of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics from 1997-2002 and was a member of the first entering class of the Academy of Distinguished Educators at the UCONN School of Medicine.   In 2003, Dr. Dworkin received the prestigious C. Anderson Aldrich Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics in recognition of achievement in the field of child development.  His vision led to the creation of Help Me Grow, a Connecticut statewide initiative to promote the early detection of children at risk for developmental and behavioral problems and their linkage to programs and services that is currently being replicated in more than 25 states.   He currently is chair of the board of directors of the Urban League of Greater Hartford.  Dr. Dworkin received his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his pediatric training at Boston Children's Hospital.  He also received a certificate in policy analysis from the University of North Dakota.

Ep 28 DJ Eagle Bear Vanas

D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas is a husband, father, internationally-acclaimed motivational storyteller and a leadership and personal development expert. He is also the author of the celebrated book The Tiny Warrior: A Path to Personal Discovery & Achievement which is printed is six countries. His latest book, Spirit on the Run, is his first novel.

D.J. is a tribally-enrolled member of the Odawa Nation and a former military officer. He shows organizations how to practically apply the power of the warrior spirit to perform at their best, stay resilient and thrive in tough, changing environments. For twenty years, he’s delivered his dynamic programs in 49 states and overseas to over 7,000 audiences including Walt Disney, NASA, Intel and hundreds of tribal governments, communities and schools. He’s also been invited to the White House to speak – twice. 

He holds a B.S. from the U.S. Air Force Academy and an M.S. from University of Southern California and has served on the Board of Directors on the National Board of Certified Counselors. After serving ten years as an Air Force officer, he is now the president of his own company, Native Discovery Inc.  D.J.’s mission is to "build the warriors of tomorrow...today". 

https://nativediscovery.com/

www.linkedin.com/in/djvanas

www.youtube.com/buildingwarriors

www.facebook.com/buildingwarriors

Ep 27 Jennifer Goldfinger

Jennifer P. Goldfinger is both a children’s book author/illustrator and a fine artist. She has been writing and illustrating children’s picture books since 2001. Her most recent book, Hello, My Name is Tiger, was published by HarperCollins Publishers.

Her fine art has been shown in museums and at various shows from New England to New Mexico, including juried shows at The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA and in a solo show at The Danforth Museum in Framingham, MA. Her fine art is represented by the Rice Polak Gallery in Provincetown, MA.

Children’s book website: www.jennifergoldfinger.com

Fine Art website: https://www.jennifergoldfingerart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jengoldfinger/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jengoldfinger

http://jennifergoldfinger.blogspot.com/

Marie Tourell Søderberg  is a Danish actress, born in Copenhagen. She is a rising star of Nordic Noir whose credits feature stage, TV and film, including a leading role in historical epic 1864. She is a hygge enthusiast and her first book on the topic has contributions from everyday Danes and experts.  Hygge is a Danish concept and has no English translation but is all about focusing on the little things in life that bring you warmth and happiness, whether it's spending quality time with loved ones or creating a 'hyggelig' atmosphere in your home.

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/298940/hygge/

Dr. Hébert-Magee is an Associate Professor of Pathology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and Director of Academic Pathology at the Florida Hospital Center for Interventional Endoscopy.   She was previously an Assistant Professor and Associate Scientist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehesive Cancer Center.  Dr. Hébert-Magee is a reputed cytopathologist with advanced training in translational pathology from the National Cancer Institute. http://www.underthescopefoundation.org/

Anna V. Eskamani is lifelong Orlando Native and daughter of immigrants who has worked relentlessly her entire life to protect all members of our community through effective advocacy, bold leadership, and strategic management. Anna currently serves as the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. She manages a team across 22 counties and is known in the legislature and across the nation as an advocate for women’s health and equality. Anna is also a PhD student in Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida and has served as an Adjunct Professor teaching Intro to Women’s Studies.

Dr. Hill M. Walker, Ph.D. is the co-director of the University of Oregon's Institute on Violence and Destructive Behavior (IVDB). Walker’s research interests include social skills assessment and intervention, violence prevention, early intervention, school safety, and longitudinal research. Hill Walker received the Council for Exceptional Children Research Award in 1993, and the University of Oregon Presidential Medal in 2000. Walker is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oregon Social Learning Center and is a consultant to the Citizens Crime Commission, an affiliate of the Portland, Oregon, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Rick Kubina (B.A., Youngstown State University; M.A., The Ohio State University; and Ph.D., The Ohio State University) is a Professor of Special Education at Penn State University. After completion of his Masters program, Kubina taught special education in a private schools specializing in post acute brain trauma rehabilitation for three years. He is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Doctoral level and serves on a number of editorial boards for behavioral and special education journals. He was the editor of the Journal of Precision Teaching and Celeration.

Dr. Kubina is one of the founders of Chartlytics.  A comprehensive discovery, progress monitoring, and intervention software company that allows users to precisely define behaviors, measure them, and make decisions to effect accelerated outcomes.

http://www.chartlytics.com/

Dr. Bricker served as Director of the Early Intervention Program at the Center on Human Development, University of Oregon, from 1978 to 2004. She was a professor of special education, focusing on the fields of early intervention and social-communication.

Her professional interests have addressed three major areas: early intervention service delivery approaches, curricula-based assessment and evaluation, and developmental-behavioral screening.

Natasha Wing has been publishing for 25 years. Some of her titles have ended up on best-sellers lists. She is known for her popular The Night Before series that includes holiday, school and big events in kids' lives themes. Natasha also writes narrative nonfiction. Her latest book is When Jackie Saved Grand Central. www.natashawing.com

Ep 19 Lou & Pepper

Andrea (Lou’s person) and Cristina (Pepper’s person) met in the halls of their children’s preschool. Their mutual love of celebrating - birthdays, summers, LIFE! - coupled with their love (obsession) for their super adorable pets spawned the beginning of Lou & Pepper.

From the very beginning Andrea and Cristina knew there was a bright future in creating fun, memorable and (most-importantly) easy parties for those around them. The best part of a celebration is the memories it brings so sit back and relax, while Lou & Pepper curates the perfect party for you.

https://www.louandpepper.com/

Ep 18 Steve Songs

Steve has delighted audiences throughout the country, including at prestigious venues like Symphony Space in New York City, Wolftrap in Vienna VA, the Kennedy Center and the White House in Washington, D.C., and Fenway Park in Boston. Anyone who’s attended a SteveSongs concert appreciates Steve’s ability to connect with his audience – from the exuberant children flocking towards the stage, to the moms bouncing babies with the beat, to the parents and grandparents singing and grooving along. It’s no wonder he's been called a modern day Pied Piper!

http://www.stevesongs.com

Ep 17      Laurie Berkner

Bestselling, award-winning children's recording artist Laurie Berkner is widely recognized as the uncrowned queen of children’s music. Laurie's albums, released on her own label, have been best sellers on a chart typically dominated by movie soundtracks and major label compilations.  Her debut DVD, which went quadruple platinum, was the first-ever indie children’s music DVD to enter Billboard’s Top Music Video chart at #1. Laurie’s eleventh album, Superhero, was released in September 2016. A longtime fixture on TV’s Nick Jr. and Sprout channels, Laurie was the first recording artist to ever appear in a music video interstitial on Nick Jr. and was a beloved presence on Jack’s Big Music Show. Laurie currently stars in a short-form animated musical series Sing It, Laurie! on the preschool network Sprout, and she has been a frequent guest on Sprout's Sunny Side Up morning show. Laurie wrote the music and lyrics for two Off-Broadway children's musicals produced by New York City Children’s Theater: Wanda's Monster (2013) and The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess (2014).  Laurie is currently writing songs for Interstellar Cinderella, set to debut off-Broadway in November 2017. Between spring 2017 and summer 2018, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers is publishing a series of three picture books with Laurie, each based on one of her songs. We Are the Dinosaurs was released in March 2017. Coming up are Pillowland and Monster Boogie.

http://laurieberkner.com/

Ep 16     Lou Mongello

Lou Mongello is a former attorney who left the practice to pursue his passion and is now a Disney expert, author, podcaster, speaker, entrepreneur, and host of http://WDWRadio.com, named Best Travel Podcast for 9 consecutive years.  He is the author of books and audio tours about the Disney Parks, and founder of http://DreamTeamProject.org, which has raised more than $250,000 to date to send children with life-threatening illnesses to Walt Disney World through the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.  He provides mentoring, consulting, and workshops to those looking to build their business and brand, and is also a keynote speaker at events, conferences, and schools. Lou shares the magic of Disney and/or the power of new and social media, podcasting, live video, community, entrepreneurship, how to follow one's dreams and passions, and custom topics tailored to the event audience.

LouMongello.com WDWRadio.com Twitter.com/LouMongello Facebook.com/LouMongello Instagram.com/LouMongello YouTube.com/WDWRadio

Ep 15     Dr. Jean

Dr. Jean Feldman’s noteworthy educational career has spanned more than 40 years.  She has served as a classroom teacher, instructor of adults, author, and consultant.  She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the National Kindergarten Alliance,  Dr. Feldman’s list of degrees include a B.A. from the University of Georgia, a D.A.S.T. from Emory University, and both M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Georgia State University.  She is currently Early Childhood Educator in Residence at the College of Charleston.  Dr. Feldman inspires teachers across the country with her engaging songs and creative activities that help make teaching and learning FUN!

Dr. Jean's blog is drjeanandfriends.blogspot.com and her website is drjean.org. 

Ep 14     Jane Squires

Jane Squires, Ph.D., is a professor in special education, with research interests focused on early intervention and early childhood special education (EI/ECSE)--specifically screening, assessment, and early identification of developmental delays. She also focuses on personnel development and effective EI/ECSE practices. She has served as principal investigator on numerous research studies focused on assessment of social emotional competence, parent-completed developmental screening processes, personnel training, and systems change related to early identification of young children at risk for developmental and social emotional delays. Dr. Squires conducts research and outreach in early intervention/early childhood special education and is Director of the Early Intervention Program Research Area. With Diane Bricker, she is author of the Ages & Stages Questionnaires and An Activity-Based Approach to Developing Young Children’s Social Emotional Competence.

http://agesandstages.com/

Matt de la Peña is the New York Times Bestselling, Newbery Medal -winning author of six young adult novels: Ball Don’t Lie, Mexican WhiteBoy, We Were Here, I Will Save You, The Living and The Hunted. He’s also the author of the critically-acclaimed picture books A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis (illustrated by Kadir Nelson) and Last Stop on Market Street (illustrate d by Christian Robinson). Matt received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University and his BA from the University of the Pacific where he attended school on a full basketball scholarship. de la Peña currently lives in Brooklyn NY. He teaches creative writing and visits high schools and colleges throughout the country.

Website: http://mattdelapena.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.delapena.5

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattdelapena

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattdelapena/

Mr. Sam Donaldson is a distinguished reporter who has been a news anchor for ABC News, White House Correspondent, and author of the book titled, “Hold On, Mr. President!” Mr. Donaldson has anchored many television shows in the United States which include: World News Sunday and Primetime Live with Diane Sawyer. Mr. Donaldson has earned several accolades for his work including multiple Emmy and Peabody Awards. 

Dr. Frances Glascoe is a Professor Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University where for she directed the developmental-behavioral pediatrics rotation for 15 years and continues to work with pediatric residents, nursing and medical students, and community providers. She is the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, a textbook on developmental-behavioral services in primary care, several screening tests, serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and is a past editor of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Newsletter.  In October, 2000, she received the Academy’s Dale Richmond Award in child development.

http://www.pedstest.com

Craig Ramey is Professor and Distinguished Research Scholar of Human Development at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute; Professor of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Human Development at Virginia Tech; Professor of Pediatrics at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine; and Chief Science Officer for Human Development for the City of Roanoke, Virginia. His program of research centers on the role of experience – across the human lifespan - in the development of competence and robust health. His approach relies largely on experimental interventions in education, psychology, and pediatrics that provide rigorous tests of plausible developmental mechanisms of stability and change within dynamic, multilayered ecologies. Ramey engages both epidemiological and longitudinal datasets to provide a broad contextual framework for identifying the multiple inter-related conditions that influence biopsychosocial risk, protective, and facilitating factors. His research findings are highly relevant to many national and international policy issues. Accordingly, he has extended his research into topics that address “going-to-scale” and rapid application of scientific findings that can prevent disabilities, promote children’s education and health outcomes, and improve family and community wellbeing. This new field of “implementation science” represents a new frontier for the neurosciences and for educating health practitioners and policymakers.

Robert Gallen, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of practice at the University of Pittsburgh where he coordinates the Master of Science in Applied Developmental Psychology program. He was founding president of the Pennsylvania Association for Infant Mental Health and is a fellow in the ZERO TO THREE Academy. He teaches courses in infant mental health and evidence-based practices.

Mary Jo is an author, storyteller, recording artist and puppeteer who creates books, CDs and DVDs filled with original stories, songs, and finger plays.  She has visited 46 states and presented to thousands of children and adults.  Mary Jo is an Early Childhood teaching artist, past director of a center with 115 children, and is an onsite consultant for Early Childhood centers, schools, 4C, Head Start and Family Childcare.  Mary Jo has written for the Frog Street’s Pre-K Curriculum and Gryphon House, Monday Morning Publishing, SECA and many publications for Early Childhood educators.  She works with children in school settings.  Her information and experiences are presented in a humorous, enthusiastic style with practical ideas that create new early literacy activities that can be implemented immediately.  Mary Jo shares passionately, in an interactive, hands-on, participatory atmosphere.   Plan to snap, clap, wiggle and giggle as you learn new ways to connect with children and parents.

www.storytellin.com
maryjo@storytellin.com

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/maryjohuff
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/MaryJoHuff
Google + - Mary Jo Huff
You Tube – http://www.youtube.com/maryjohuff
LinkedIn – Mary Jo Huff
Pinterest – Mary Jo Huff

Kevin Marks, MD FAAP is a full-time general pediatrician. He received his bachelor of science degree at the University of Notre Dame, attended medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed his pediatric residency at the University of California School of Medicine San Francisco-Fresno. He enjoys precepting medical students as a clinical assistant professor at Oregon Health & Science University and heavily encourages his students to use evidence-based screening tools, rather than informal milestone checklists. Dr. Marks has authored numerous journal articles and textbook chapters on the early identification, prevention, treatment and ongoing monitoring of children with developmental and behavioral challenges. He has been a stalwart and enthusiastic “screening champion” in his own medical group, which blazed quality improvement trails by being “early adopters” of multiple screening tools, one of them being the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), and then employed these tools in combination with the Read Out and Read (ROR) program, which promotes early literacy and school readiness. Dr. Marks was a key member behind Oregon’s Assuring Better Child Development (ABCD) leadership team that spread the use of evidence-based screening tools statewide to other primary care practices. He participated in Oregon's Help Me Grow (HMG) project to improve care coordination services for children identified with suspected developmental delays and/or mental health problems. He has been involved in Oregon’s Screening Tools and Referral Training (START) project and is also a health advisor board member for his county’s Head Start program.

Kurt married his wife Margie in 1996, and he is the father of his son Nolan and daughter Chloe.  Chloe was born in 2003 with a diagnosis of Down syndrome, and her birth placed Kurt and his family on an incredible journey.  Kurt served as a Police Officer for 20 years and received many awards/citations for service to the community.  Kurt left his career as a Pittsburgh Police Officer and returned to college to receive a Masters Degree in Early Intervention from the University of Pittsburgh in 2007.  Kurt serves as a Developmental Therapist at TEIS Early Intervention, and he also serves on several councils representing individuals with disabilities.  Kurt was appointed Chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Early Intervention in 2008, and since then he has made it his mission to be a strong Voice for children with disabilities and their families across PA.

Garrett Weinzierl is a podcaster, graphic designer, founder of Amove.tv, and a Jedi in training. Garrett produces and hosts multiple gaming, tech, and pop-culture shows like The Angry Chicken, Into the Nexus, Let’s Talk About Star Wars, and Embrace the Spoilers. When he isn’t producing his own online entertainment he can be seen guesting on shows like the Daily Tech News Show, Pixels, and The Instance. Garrett graduated from the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. After working many jobs just to pay the bills, he started podcasting as a hobby. That hobby grew into tens of thousands of downloads a week, an active community of gamers and hobbyists, and a steady source of income thanks to that same community and the crowdfunding platform Patreon. The platform Garrett helped build through podcasting also became a source of recurring graphic design freelance clients.

You can find Garrett's work at Nomoonart.com and Amove.tv

Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak is a {r}evolutionary speaker, researcher, and play advocate. Through podcasts, blogs, free resources, and trainings, Kristie inspires and supports early educators in {r}evolutionizing their teaching. Kristie spent 16 years, as faculty, at Kent State University and now trains and coaches early educators worldwide. Kristie is a Past President of the Division for Early Childhood and works with intentness and determination to sort through the clutter and chaos to join seemingly disparate ideas. She also aims to celebrate differences and shared attributes to achieve solutions. You can access her latest solutions at: 

http://prekteachandplay.com.

STEPHEN J. BAGNATO, Ed.D., NCSP is a Developmental School Psychologist and Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh, Schools of Education (Psychology-in-Education, Applied Developmental Psychology--ADP) and Medicine (Pediatrics); Coordinator, Children with Special Healthcare Needs—Child Life specialization; He is founder and Faculty Mentor of the Division for Early Childhood Partnerships (www.earlychildhoodpartnerships.org) at the University (Office of Child Development), and affiliated with Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC through the LEND Center at the University of Pittsburgh as a core interdisciplinary faculty for leadership education in neurodevelopmental disabilities for Maternal and Child Health Bureau fellows and university interns.

Toni Linder, Ed.D., is professor emeritus in the Child, Family, and School Psychology Program at the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Linder has been a leader in the development of authentic assessment for young children and is known for her work on Transdisciplinary Play-Based Assessment and Transdisciplinary Play-Based Intervention (1990, 1993, 2008). In addition, she developed Read, Play, and Learn (1999), an inclusive, literature and play-based curriculum for preschool and kindergarten learning and development. She consults nationally and internationally on assessment, intervention, early childhood education, program development, and family involvement issues. Dr. Linder has conducted research on a variety of issues, including transdisciplinary influences on development, parent-child interaction, curriculum outcomes, and using technology for professional development in rural areas. In 2012 Dr. Linder formed Early Learning Dynamics LLC to serve as a platform for her continuing consulting, curriculum development, and play-based assessments. Dr. Linder will use Early Learning Dynamics to serve children worldwide.

Ellen Galinsky, President and Co-Founder of Families and Work Institute (FWI), helped establish the field of work and family life during the time she was at Bank Street College of Education, where she was on the faculty for 25 years. Her more than 100 books and reports include the best-selling Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs, Ask The Children, and the now classic The Six Stages of Parenthood. She has published over 300 articles in journals, books and magazines