Presenters

Amanda Abruzino is in her 7th year working at the John Schroder Early Childhood Center in Lombard as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher in a blended classroom.  She strives to create a classroom environment in which children of all abilities have an equal opportunity to learn and be successful. Amanda believes in the importance of enthusiasm and motivation in the classroom. She creates hands-on activities and interactive lesson plans for different learning preferences. Education is constantly changing and she is changing with it! Teaching allows her to inspire her students and their families to have fun while they are learning in the classroom or remotely!

Amanda has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood and a minor in Special Education and a Master’s Degree in Teacher Leadership from Elmhurst College.  She also has an English Language Learners endorsement.

Savannah Bays has worked as an Early Childhood educator for 2.5 years.  She is currently an Early Childhood Special Education teacher in a blended and bilingual classroom at the John Schroder Early Childhood Center.  She is passionate about supporting language learners and their families by encouraging family involvement, implementing strategies, and adapting materials to best meet the needs of her students.

Savannah has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, with an endorsement in English as a Second Language. She is currently working towards her bilingual licensure.  In her spare time, she enjoys running, yoga, and spending time with her family.

Kimberly Bryze, Ph.D., OTR/L is the Program Director and Associate Professor of the Occupational Therapy Program at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education from Bradley University, Bachelor and Master Degrees in Occupational Therapy as well as her Doctoral Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In her Occupational Therapy practice, Dr. Bryze has worked with children and adults with developmental, learning, and behavioral disabilities in early intervention and school settings. Her research and clinical interests include collaboration between teachers and therapists, schoolwork performance of students with autism spectrum disorders, and the effect of sensory processing dysfunction on occupational performance. 

Alina Celeste Hevia and Hamlet Meneses are both Parents’ Choice Silver Award Winners for their bilingual music. Alina has taught early childhood music and arts classes and conducted workshops for educators on Early Literacy, STEAM Integration and Classroom Management internationally since 2008.

Pat Chamberlain works as a consultant with school districts and agencies on issues related to optimizing the educational opportunities for young culturally and linguistically diverse children and their families. Her most recent projects include working as the co-director of the EC Award for Excellence Project for Linguistically and Culturally Responsive Practices with OECD, developing an EC ESL/Bilingual Credential with INCCRRA, chairing community collaboration organization and working with B-3^rd Grade Continuity Project for ISU.

Dr. Paul Thomas Clements is a forensic psychiatric clinical specialist, a Certified Gang Specialist, and Certified in Danger Assessment. Clements has provided consultation for EMT’s, Child Protective Agency personnel, trauma/emergency nurses, psychiatric providers, hospital systems, and and even corporate executives - each regarding vulnerability risk assessment, bullying, and decreasing the number of violent incidents in the home and the workplace. Clements has three textbooks: Violence against women: Contemporary examination of intimate partner violence, Mental health issues in child maltreatment, and Nursing approach to the evaluation of child maltreatment. Additionally, he has numerous peer review publications and conference presentations regarding stress, trauma, violence and aggression, coping after a violent death, safety promotion, and exposure to interpersonal violence and crime. His most recent publications in print and soon to be published are "When your child is found dead", and soon to be published is "Why did my dad kill my mom?" and "When your child is missing and presumed dead"?

More recently, Clements spent time in Bolivia, working with provincial judges, prosecutors and forensic psychologists regarding enhanced assessment and intervention with children victimized by sexual aggression and other forms of violence.

Clements holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Forensic Psychiatric Nursing from The University of Pennsylvania with research that has examined the traumatic presentations and behaviors of children exposed to the homicide of a family member. Clements was inducted as a Distinguished Fellow in the International Association of Forensic Nurses in 2002, and was an inaugural Associate Editor of the Journal of Forensic Nursing from 2005-2012

Julianne Confalonieri, MS  CCC, BCS-F is a certified speech and language pathologist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of children and adults who stutter.  In 2000, Julianne became a member of the initial cadre of Board Certified Fluency Specialists. Since 1990, she has owned Speech and Fluency Services, LLC, a private practice dedicated to serving children and their families as well as adults who stutter.

Deidre is a Speech Language Pathologist with 18 years of experience specializing in language acquisition and AAC in the early childhood setting. She presents frequently around the country and offers an enthusiastic and practical approach to working with young minimally verbal students. Utilizing play, music, art and sensory experiences; Deidre embeds functional communication throughout her student’s entire day. She developed the core vocabulary curriculum “Power Words 16” which is used in Barrington CUSD #220.

Linda Housewright served as a prekindergarten director/teacher in the Dallas City CUSD #336 for over 25 years.  Her classroom was chosen by ISBE as the only long-distance virtual learning site statewide for Western Illinois University for 4 years, during this time she served as an adjunct professor and advisor for the Early Childhood department.  Linda has served on committees for ISBE Early Learning Standards, Portfolio and the Governor’s office in the area of reading. 
 
Linda has provided trainings and webinars for ISBE/Illinois Resource Center-ECC in the areas of curriculum, assessment, learning environment, self-regulation, and ECERS.  She has also presented at NAEYC conventions in New York, Chicago, and California.  Linda was one of the creators of the Illinois Early Childhood model classroom, and a training site.  She has also received an ISBE “Those Who Excel” 2001 award for meritorious service.  

After helping develop the ISBE Curriculum Coaching project and coaching more than 50 teachers to compliance and high ECERS scores she is now working as an independent early childhood consultant.
 

Barb Golik is the principal of the Early Learning Center in District 63. She has been with the district in this role for the last 5 years and in the field of education for 17 years. Barb started my career as an early childhood teacher with ECDEC before moving on to be a first grade teacher in Mt. Prospect. She also spent time as a reading specialist prior to becoming a principal. Barb is passionate about the world of early childhood and strive to provide a nurturing, invitige and play based environment for all students.

Alyssa Gorecki has worked as an Early Childhood educator for two years.  She currently works at the John Schroder Early Childhood Center in Lombard as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher in a blended classroom.  She strives to create a classroom environment in which children of all abilities have an equal opportunity to learn and be successful.

Alyssa has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Elmhurst College and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from University of Illinois at Chicago.  She also has an English Language Learners endorsement.

Evelyn Polk Green is the STARNET Region V Project Director.
She has been involved in early childhood education for over 30
years, working as a teacher assistant, classroom teacher,
resource specialist, coach and administrator. A graduate of
National Louis and Northern Illinois Universities, Evelyn is
active in child and adult mental health advocacy. She serves as
a member of the Network on Children’s Mental Health Research
funded by the MacArthur Foundation and is a past board
member and National President of both the Attention Deficit
Disorder Association (ADDA) and CHADD (Children and Adults
with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder).

Beginning her career in Chicago Public School preschools, Kira Hamann, Ed.D. is a veteran early childhood educator and instructional assistant professor at Illinois State University. With a doctorate in Teaching and Learning from ISU, a master’s degree in ECE from the Erikson Institute in Chicago, and her EC teaching degree from ISU, Kira’s research focuses on teacher preparation, classroom management and community building, and new teacher mentorship. She is a certified Positive Discipline Parent & Teacher Educator and leads professional development in the areas of teaching social-emotional skills, problem-solving, co-teaching, teacher identity development, and building family and classroom communities.

Alyssa Jimenez is a Preschool for All Expansion Teacher for Berwyn South School District 100. She has been in the education field for 15 years in several roles including teaching, administration and coaching. Alyssa has a Bachelor’s Degree from Northern Illinois University in Early Childhood Education. She has a Master’s Degree from Northeastern Illinois University in Early Childhood Special Education. She recently completed a second Master’s Degree from Concordia University Chicago in Curriculum and Instruction. Some of her passions include using project approach-based learning with her students and environmental design of preschool classrooms.

BARBARA KAISER is the coauthor of Challenging Behavior in Young Children: Understanding, Preventing, and Responding Effectively (now in its 4^th edition); Challenging Behavior in Elementary and Middle School, and is now working on a text for the NAEYC on the leadership role when there is a child with challenging behavior at the school or childcare center. She has an M.A. from McGill University in Educational Administration and Policy Studies and has taught at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and Concordia University and College Marie-Victorin in Montreal, Canada, and presented workshops, keynote speeches, and webinars on challenging behavior throughout the world. Barbara acted as chief consultant for Facing the Challenge, an instructional DVD based on Challenging Behavior in Young Children (produced by the Devereux Center for Resilient Children), and also for Mr. Rogers’ Family Communications. Recently she has given webinars on leadership and on supporting children, families, and staff returning to school and childcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has over 30 years experience in early childhood education

Nancy Kind is an Early Childhood Educational consultant. She has been involved in the field of Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education as a classroom teacher and administrator for over 33 years. Over her career, Nancy has been a presenter for many regional workshops, state and national conferences regarding key topics in Early Childhood Special Education. Nancy has participated in many state level committees including Early Childhood LRE Stakeholders and the Stakeholders Committee for Early Childhood Outcomes.

Dr. Paula Kluth is a consultant, author, advocate, and independent scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. Paula is a former special educator who has served as a classroom teacher and inclusion facilitator. Her professional interests include Universal Design for Learning, co-teaching, and inclusive schooling.

She is the author or co-author of more than 15 books including "Don't We Already Do Inclusion?": 100 Ways to Improve Schools for All, “You’re Going to Love This Kid”: Teaching Students with Autism in Inclusive Classrooms, Universal Design Daily, and "A Land We Can Share": Teaching Literacy to Students with Autism. Paula is also the director of a documentary film titled “We Thought You’d Never Ask”: Voices of People with Autism.

Ann Kremer is the Director of Early CHOICES LRE, working to increase inclusive opportunities for preschool children with disabilities. Ann came to the field of inclusive practices as a parent of a child with Down Syndrome who wanted to include her son in regular preschool. Ann started out as an elementary school teacher but completed her Masters in early childhood. She also has experience as a Developmental Therapist in Early Intervention. Through her work, Ann has done presentations for many regional and national conferences as well as facilitated districts to plan for inclusion. Ann has participated on many state level committees, leading the Early Childhood LRE Stakeholders, and participating in the Stakeholders Committee for Early Childhood Outcomes, and the ISBE/DHS Transition Guidance Committee.

Caroline Maguire, M.Ed., ACCG, PCC, is a leader in social skills development. She founded a SEL training methodology for adults, parents, clinicians and academic professionals on how to develop critical social, emotional and behavioral skills. She is the author of Why Will No One Play With Me, a handbook on how to communicate social skills training. She earned her undergraduate degree from Trinity College and her Masters of Education and Early Childhood Development from Lesley University. She is the director of the only Coach Training program accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF) The Fundamentals of ADHD Coaching for Families.

Peg Mazeika has worked in the field of education for over 25 years, most of it working with children with ASD. She has worked in both regular and special education classrooms working with Early Childhood through High School students as an educator and as a behavior management specialist. Peg has served as a consultant to the IL Autism Project and to many school districts across the state of Illinois and Wisconsin as well as a member of the Professional Advisory Committee of the Illinois Autism Society.

Jac McBride is an Early Childhood Resource Specialist for STAR NET Region II. She has a master’s degree in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and served as a special education educator for 20 years as a preschool teacher and Early Intervention provider. For the past 15 years, Jac has held various special education administrator roles from supervising preschool programs to Director of Special Education in the suburbs of Chicago.

Sherial McKinney, M.S. Ed., has taught and worked in the field of early childhood education for over 35 years. She has taught Early Childhood Special Education in a self-contained setting and in a blended program with Pre-K at Risk/Preschool for All students as well as teaching Kindergarten, Title I Reading and Math for grades K-8, and in a federally funded child care program. In addition, she has worked with STAR NET Regions I and III as a full-time and part-time Early Childhood Resource Specialist.  From her work with Title I students on math skills, she continued taking graduate courses in Math Education at Western Illinois University and has focused on math for young children.

Alina Celeste Hevia and Hamlet Meneses are both Parents’ Choice Silver Award Winners for their bilingual music. Hamlet has provided bilingual programs through arts and music in the Chicagoland area since 2001, and was also an expert reviewer for the Illinois Early Learning Standards Kindergarten Project Team in 2006. 

Danielle Merkel has a master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Mills College in Oakland, California, and recently finished my ESL Endorsement through National Louis University. She has been teaching since 2003 and joined the East Maine School District 63 and First Steps Preschool Program in 2019. During her teaching career, she has worked in self-contained classrooms for children with Autism, inclusive classrooms for children of all abilities, and provided support as a resource teacher to teachers and children in community-based preschools.

Linda Merry is an Occupational Therapist with over 34 years’ experience working with individuals with a variety of abilities. As a senior therapist at Easter Seal DuPage and the Fox Valley Region, she understands the long term impact of impairments and designing intervention which supports individuals’ participation across environments. She has extensive experience treating children with a variety of developmental challenges, specializing in children with cerebral palsy, hypotonia, brachial plexus and autism. Linda’s long list of continuing education certifications and training includes the 8 week Neuro-Developmental Treatment and Advanced Baby Course, Sensory Integration, cognitive-behavioral approaches, autism, kinesiotaping, splinting and casting. Linda is a State of Illinois Early Intervention evaluator and therapist. She has provided professional presentations and student lectures on a variety of topics. She has been a consultant to several school systems including a residential program for children with vision and hearing impairments.

Jill Molli has the uncanny ability to help people laugh and learn at the same time. Her past position in a Title 1 elementary school offered her opportunities to apply Dr. Bailey’s Conscious Discipline in a school setting and her family offers her constant real-life experiences to share with her audiences. Jill was selected as a Loving Guidance Associate because of her no-nonsense ability to get to the heart of a situation and her commitment to living Loving Guidance principles at school and at home. Jill began her teaching career in a behavior disabilities classroom, moved into a regular third grade classroom and then completed her requirements as a Guidance Counselor. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, a Master’s in Counseling, and over 15 years’ experience working with children who have behavior problems.

Gina Musielski is the Family Resource Specialist for STAR NET Region II, and has worked as a parent and family resource and support specialist since 1999. As the parent of a child with a developmental disability, Gina draws on both her personal and professional experience in all of her training presentations. She has presented at state and local conferences, for parent groups, early intervention, childcare, and education professionals on a variety of topics relating to special education and parent rights. Active on state level committees such as ISBE/DHS Transition Guidance Committee and Early Childhood LRE Stakeholders committee, Gina is involved in training and resource development for parents of young children with special needs on topics such as transition, IEPs, LRE, parent rights and advocacy.

Kim O’Neill has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for the past 20 years. She is currently the Learning Commons Leader at Ann Reid Early Childhood in Naperville School District 203.  In addition, Kim is the Assistant Director for the Early Childhood ESY and PFA summer learning program.   Prior to her appointment as the LC Leader, she worked 9 years as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher.  

Kim has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Special Education from Monmouth College and a Master’s Degree from Erikson Institute in Early Childhood Development with a specialization in Infant Studies. In 2012, Kim obtained her School Administrative Certificate through Concordia University. 

Kim fosters a positive and nurturing learning environment, where all students are successful.  She is a highly dedicated and collaborative educator, who loves reading to children and bringing stories to life.  

Kim lives in Naperville with her husband and five children and is a proud member of the Naperville community.

Emily Paine has been a school based physical therapist since 2004 and has worked in the early childhood setting for 8 years. She earned her Master of Physical Therapy degree in 2000. She is also a mother to three active boys.

Cathryn Parent has worked as an Early Childhood Educator for the past 6 years. She is currently an Early Childhood Educator in a blended classroom at Ann Reid Early Childhood Center in District 203. She is passionate about ensuring students with unique learning needs are provided access to learning content. 

Cathryn has a Bachelor’s Degree focusing on special education and family health with an endorsement in early childhood education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Severe and Multiple Disabilities from the University of New Mexico. 

Cathryn lives with her husband in Aurora and has spent the summer learning to sail on her new sailboat. 

Emily Reilly, Assistant Project Director with STAR NET Regions I and III, is a proven leader with 18 years of experience in early care and education. Emily has served in a variety of leadership roles in the field including master teacher, associate director, college instructor, trainer, Illinois AEYC Regional Delegate and Co-Chair for the Illinois Division of Early Childhood's Sharing A Vision conference. Emily presents on a variety of topics including curriculum, assessment, supporting young children's social-emotional development, inclusion and reflective practice. In her spare time, she enjoys running, yoga and spending time with family.

Emily Ropars has worked in the field of early childhood education for 20 years. She holds a developmental therapy credential and a type 04 with a special education endorsement. Emily has worked in all early childhood environments as a teacher, coach and administrator: lab preschool, child care, Head Start, and private schools. She currently is an LRE Specialist for Early CHOICES.

Celine Rosati Skertich is a physical therapist with over 35 years’ experience empowering families and individuals living with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential. She is certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in pediatrics, currently a senior therapist at Easter Seals DuPage, and a State of Illinois Early Intervention evaluator and therapist – she has completed both the 8 week Neuro-Developmental Treatment and Advanced Baby certifications. Celine has provided therapy services for patients from infancy through adulthood, managing complex medical clients and enabling participation across environments. She has lectured and taught continuing education courses on a variety of topics, is a published researcher, a clinical instructor, mentor and coach.

Ron Roybal works at the University of Denver. His responsibilities have included the LEAP USA and LEAP Outreach projects, the Professional Development in Autism project, the Colorado Autism Project, TACSEI and CSEFEL. He presents at national challenging behavior conferences and professional development / staff development days around the country. Trainings include building relationships, classroom organization and management strategies, social emotional teaching strategies and understanding and reducing challenging behaviors. Prior to being an educational consultant, Ron was a teacher in an early childhood inclusive classroom for students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and typically developing students. His extensive experience in inclusive classroom settings as a teacher and coach for children with special needs and children at risk or with challenging behaviors bring a unique perspective as a trainer and coach.

Cristina Sanchez-Lopez is an Education Specialist at the Illinois Resource Center (IRC). She collaborates with educators in the US and Canada on the ELL/LD interface; middle school mathematics; literacy across the content areas; parental engagement, and supporting Pre-K educators who serve Multilingual Learners (MLs). Prior to coming to the IRC, Cristina taught at the elementary, middle school and university levels in the US and Mexico. She is co-author of the book: Special Education Considerations for English Language Learners: Delivering a Continuum of Services. (Caslon Publishing, 2007), and a volume in the Oxford University Press Focus on the Language Classroom series: Focus on Special Educational Needs (October, 2018). Cristina and her husband have raised their daughter bilingually.

Pam Shaw is currently the Director of Special Education in Riverside Elementary School District 96. She has been in education for 27 years starting her career as a special education teacher. For the past 14 years Pam has been a special education administrator, with eight of those years supervising early childhood programs in two large west suburban unit school districts. She serves on the Early Childhood Transition Guidance Committee, providing professional development in the state on IDEA Transition from Part C to Part B services. She attended Northern Illinois University earning a B.S. in Special Education and Elementary Education. She attended North Central College and received a M.A. in Educational Administration, later obtaining her special education director endorsement.

Keena L. Sims, Project Manager for the Early Intervention Training Program at the University of Illinois in Champaign Urbana, began working in the Early Intervention Program as a Credentialed Lead Service Coordinator and Developmental Therapist in 2000. As a Project Manager for the EI Training Program, Sims oversees the Credit Request process, Interpreter and Translator Project, as well as takes on a lead role in the Child and Family Outcomes projects. Mrs. Sims leads the effort of surveying all families exiting the Illinois Early Intervention Program annually, to help improve services provided to Illinois children and their families. Mrs. Sims is a graduate of Michigan State University with a background in social services specializing in Family and Community Services. She has more than 25 years of professional experiences ranging from helping children and families facing issues of homelessness, domestic violence and providing high quality services to children with special needs. Mrs. Sims is a Grand Rapids, Michigan native, and currently lives in Illinois with her husband and their three children.

Kathy Slattery is the Project Director and a Resource Specialist for STAR NET Region II. She has been involved in the field of Special Education, Early Childhood Special Education and Early Intervention for over 25 years as a classroom teacher, Early Intervention Provider, Parent Support Coordinator and as a technical assistance provider at STAR NET. Kathy has presented at the local, state and national level on topics related to supporting young children with disabilities and their families. In addition, Kathy has been a volunteer State Coordinator for the Selective Mutism Group for nine years. Kathy participates on several state level committees including Early Childhood LRE Stakeholders and the Stakeholders Committee for Early Childhood Outcomes.

Katie Suchy is an Early Childhood Resource Specialist for STAR NET Region II. Katie holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University where she double majored in child, adult, and family services, and linguistics with an emphasis on communication disorders and a minor in psychology. Katie has worked in the field of Early Childhood in a variety of roles in the classroom and as an Administrator for Head Start where she partnered with the local school districts to support students and families in the community. She has a strong background with Head Start, is a certified CLASS observer, GOLD reliable, and CDA Professional Development Specialist.

Dubbed "the Pied Piper of children's music", "Miss Carole" Stephens is a nationally renowned music specialist. Her cross-curricular music and guidance techniques instantly invite all audiences from the youngest child to the oldest adult to join in singing, dancing and rhythmic movement. Miss Carole focuses on the how, why, and what behind music and movement to teach classroom management techniques that really work, brain research that supports active music involvement, and developmentally appropriate music and movement activities children love!

Amanda Thompson is the Director of Early Childhood for Berwyn South D100. She has been in the field for 21 years and has served as a Preschool for All teacher and an inclusion facilitator. Amanda has her BS in Early Childhood Education from Butler University and a MS in Special Education from Dominican University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral program in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University.

Dana Winters, Ph.D., is the faculty and academic director of the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College, and the co-creator of the Simple Interactions approach to support children, families, and their helpers. She frequently delivers keynote presentations and workshops across states and countries to describe and affirm the essential, relational practices of professionals who serve children, youth, and their families. She has led numerous federal, state, and foundation grants in early childhood education, family engagement, and statewide training and technical assistance.