• Home
• Overview
• Workshop Preview
• Presenters
• Infant Toddler Institute
• Registration
• Lodging
• Contact Us

---

Confirmed Featured Speakers in alphabetical order (click on each name to see more information). Check back as more speakers and session details will be added as they are confirmed.

Isabel Baker, M.S.
Bev Bos
Lorrie Baird
Wendy Cividanes, M.A. 
Deb Curtis, M.A.
Jim Fox, Ph.D
Rosemary Geiken, Ed.D.
Mindy E. Kronenberg, Ph.D
Debbie Lebo, M.A. 
Ginny Luther, M.A.
Dr. Thomas Moore
Susan O'Connell
Al Russo, Mr. Al, M.S.
Beth VanMeeteran,Ed.D.
John J. Wheeler, Ph.D

 

 John J. Wheeler , Ph.D. is the Director of the ETSU Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning and Development. Recently he served as the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. Prior to that he was the Associate Dean and Director of Doctoral Studies, a Professor of Special Education, and Principal Investigator/Project Director of the Make a Difference Project at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee. Dr. Wheeler holds a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation (1985), an M. S. (1986) and a Ph.D. in Special Education from Southern Illinois University. His professional interests include children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Applied Behavior Analysis, Positive Behavior Support, and evidence-based educational and behavioral practices for children with disabilities. Dr. Wheeler has authored over 60 articles in professional journals, 11 book chapters and books, numerous presentations at professional conferences, and various federally-funded and state-funded grants.

Friday Preconference Session : Applying Evidence-Based Practices in the Education of Children with Autism within Your Classroom

Jim Fox, Ph.D.  is Professor in the Special Education Program Department of Human Development & Learning and the Research Director for the Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning and Development in the Clemmer College of Education at East Tennessee State University.His interests and expertise include the functional analysis of and interventions for challenging behaviors in students with or at risk for disabilities, social development and social skills training, effective instructional procedures for academic and social behavior development, and research and evaluation designs for educational-behavioral research.

 

Prior to coming to ETSU, Dr. Fox was a professor in the Department of Special Education at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University and a Research Scientist with the Kennedy Center.  He has extensive experience in grant writing and directing grant projects, having been the Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator of 9 externally funded projects and 13 internally funded projects. 

Dr. Fox is the author or co-author of 70 professional publications and 200 professional presentations.  Since 1995 he has been the Director of what is now ETSU's Positive Behavior Support Initiative Project. As Director, he is responsible for overseeing project activities, supervising project faculty and students and providing overall guidance for project training, consultation,  evaluation,  and dissemination activities.

Friday Preconference Session:  Applying Evidence-Based Practices in the Education of Children with Autism within Your Classroom

 

Ginny Luther, M.A., a dynamic speaker for parents and educational professionals pulls from her vast life experience presenting with charisma, enthusiasm, and compassion.  Her tremendous knowledge provides creative solutions to many difficult issues facing schools and families today, giving audiences the tools necessary to succeed. 

For over twelve years as a Loving Guidance Associate, Ginny brings to life the principles of Dr. Becky Bailey's Conscious Discipline to schools, military bases, military families, and parents.  Using her expertise and commitment to empower adult-child relationships she uses conflict as an opportunity for growth during her enthusiastic workshops.  Ginny also serves as an educational consultation, Parent/Teacher Coach, and a support group leader for school districts, parents, communities, corporate organizations, associations, clubs, and summer camps.

Ginny holds an M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Ithaca College and has been certified by the International Network for Children and Families sharing her expertise through a variety of positive discipline programs that promote healthy adult-child relationships.  Her educational roles include therapist, Pre-K teacher of children with varying exceptionalities, assistant administrator, and early childhood program coordinator.   Ginny’s real passion for discipline started as a parent with her youngest child who did not respond effectively to the traditional methods of discipline. She and her husband Jack have raised 4 children in their blended family since 1990. She has successfully managed her Peaceful Parenting Business since 1994.

Friday Workshop Session:  Don't Won't Help Them Listen!: Setting Limits That  WILL help Kids Listen!

Isabel Baker, M.S. started The Book Vine for Children over thirty years ago from her apartment in Chicago, Illinois.  Armed with master’s degrees in Education and Library Science, experience as a librarian, and a passion for getting good books into the hands of children, Isabel consulted with preschool teachers and presented book fairs throughout Chicago. 

 As The Book Vine has grown, so has Isabel’s commitment to excellence in literature for children from birth to five years old.  Today she presents at more than a dozen major conferences in the U.S. and Europe and exhibits at over fifteen conferences annually.  She maintains active membership in many professional organizations such as NAEYC, National Head Start, American Booksellers Association, and Zero to Three.  Isabel is a committed supporter of organizations dedicated to the betterment of children such as Voices for Illinois Children and Southern Poverty Law Center.  She has written children’s book reviews for “The Reading Chair”,  and a regular column in Young Children, a NAEYC publication. 

Isabel Baker will present workshops on both Friday and Saturday.

Bev Bos  has been the Director and Teacher at the Roseville Community Preschool in Roseville, California for over 40 years. She is the author of four books:Don't Move the Muffin Tins, Before the Basics, Together We're better, and Tumbling \Over the Edge. Bev lectures around the country and internationally on topics in her field of expertise including creative art, music and language, science for young children, helping children learn to socialize in a natural way and for adults, the Conditions for Growing Wiser. She is sought after by early childhood education groups, parents, teachers, childcare professionals and college classes. While maintaining a very active lecture schedule, Bev continues to teach three morning per week. Bev has spoken numerous times at the NAEYC conference as well as for many state AEYC affiliates. Some of her other credits include appearances on local TV and radio, National Public Radio, and she has been featured on ABC News 20/20 program. In addition to her books, Bev has produced two DVD's Starting at Square One and Come On and Sing, and ten recordings of music and storytelling with Michael Leeman and Tom Hunter.  

Michael Leeman has co-presented with Bev to a wide variety of organizations of on topics of art, music, creativity, science and child development since 1984. Besides his work as a musician, editor, and illustrator, Michael also works at the Roseville Community Preschool. Recently he compiled and illustrated the parent/teacher resource book titled  Chants, Fingerplays & Stories , published by Turn the Page Press, Inc. Among Michael's other published works is the children's picture book  Morningtown Ride.

 Bev Bos and Michael Leeman will present workshops on both Friday, Saturday and the Closing Session on Saturday.

Al Rasso, lovingly known as "Mr. Al" to thousands of children, educators and parents across the country, is a musician turned educator turned entertainer with a message. A University of Delaware graduate holding degrees in both elementary and early childhood education, he has taught at every level from infants through elementary. Mr. Al spends about 40 weeks out of the year on tour around the country educating teachers and parents and performing sold out concerts for children and families. Each year, he presents upwards of 50 Keynotes at major educational conferences and approximately 250 children's concerts. 

Mr. Al not only performs but also writes, produces and records his pop-styled educational music. Since 1990, he has produced twenty releases! Ten with Melody House Publications of Oklahoma City, OK. Six of which are on their "Top Ten Best Sellers" list. In 1998, Mr. Al started his own publishing company with the release of albums Mr. Al a carte and Rockin' The Alphabet both of which won 1999 Parents' Choice awards. In 2001, he released Dance Like This which won a Parents' Choice and NAPPA award, Math In Motion and Sing Me A Color which also won a Parents' Choice Award. He also wrote and published his first teacher resource book Sing Me A Color Thematic Activity Book which complements the music. In 2002, Mr. Al introduced Put Your Groove On and Kids Rock Too. Put Your Groove On received a NAPPA Honors award. In 2004, Mr. Al released a live version of his popular children's concertMr. Al Live In Concert. This was released not only on CD but also on DVD and video so the children can actively participate in the fun! His latest release is a collaboration with Dr. Becky Bailey called Kindness Counts. In 2006, Mr. Al recorded all of his transition songs on School Days and included a DVD with his 10 most requested fingerplays.

A native of Schenectady, NY, Mr. Al showed his love for music at age five playing classical piano. By the time he was 16 he had his own band and played clubs through-out the northeast. By then he had added guitar, electronic keyboards and singing to his repertoire. In the early-seventies, Al and his rock-n-roll band opened for "The Boss", Bruce Springstien and the E-Street Band at clubs along the Jersey shore. With the birth of his first child in the mid-seventies he realized his true calling lay in the education of young children and he went into the classroom. Then in 1989, a chance backstage encounter with an old friend, then a member of the Gregg Allman Band, sparked his desire to return to music full-time...with a twist..this music was for teachers' and their students' enjoyment and education. Thus..."Mr. Al" was born. 

Mr. Al will provide sessions on both Friday and Saturday.

 

Dr. Thomas Moore is nationally recognized as an early childhood consultant, keynote speaker, workshop leader, and children's recording artist. He has given more than 800 speeches and workshops in the United States and abroad. From a keynote address to 1,200 K-12 teachers at Harvard University, to teacher-training workshops in Denmark, Italy, Germany, and Nigeria, Dr. Moore creates learning experiences that educate and encourage teachers.  He is currently Associate Professor of Elementary and Early Childhood Education at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. In his varied career, Moore has given a solo voice recital at Carnegie Recital Hall, hosted a children's television show, taught preschool, directed a children's choir, and composed two symphony pieces for children. He has been a university associate professor of early childhood education and coordinator of the North Carolina Head Start Collaboration Project.

Moore earned his Bachelor of Music from Manhattan School of Music, and his Master's and Ph.D. degrees in early childhood education from Indiana State University. In 2004, Indiana State presented Moore with its Distinguished Alumni Award. Moore is also the recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's most distinguished civilian honor, for his work with children. However, his most prized possession is the "Angel Among Us" award, presented by Mrs. Fullagar's K-2 class in Laurinburg, North Carolina. Dr. Moore has received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's highest civilian award, for his work with children.

Dr. Moore will present sessions on Friday and Saturday.

Mindy Kronenberg, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Memphis, Tennessee.  She received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Memphis and completed her pre-doctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans where she completed the Harris Infant Mental Health Fellowship, served as a responder in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and was Assistant Professor until 2010.  Dr. Kronenberg is licensed in both Tennessee and Louisiana and currently serves as adjunct faculty at LSUHSC and The University of Memphis.  She is a member of the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology and was awarded an Early Career Psychologist Scholarship in 2010.    

Dr. Kronenberg specializes in Infant Mental Health and the assessment and treatment of trauma across the lifespan; she has a special interest in work with children and families in the child welfare system.  Dr. Kronenberg has provided crisis intervention as well as direct and consultative services in schools, Head Start programs, delinquency courts, drug courts, child welfare agencies, military bases, police departments, and fire departments.  She currently has hospital privileges at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital where she is consulting on a grant to provide services to local Head Start Centers.  In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Kronenberg is an adjunct professor at the University of Memphis and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, and she provides training on evidence based and evidence informed assessments, interventions, and treatments including Child Parent Psychotherapy, Psychological First Aid, and Relationship Based Assessment.  Dr. Kronenberg is also an affiliate member of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network where she serves on the Affiliate Advisory Board and is co-chair of the Zero to Six Workgroup. 

Dr. Kronenberg will present sessions on Friday and Saturday.

 

Rosemary Geiken, Ed.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Teaching and Learning Department at ETSU. She is a co-director of Project SEE (Science in Early Elementary) designed to support K-3 teachers' content knowledge in the area of science and to incorporate inquiry based learning in their curriculum. Dr. Geiken was an elementary classroom teacher for 16 years and draws heavily on those experiences when designing professional development. As a former early childhood consultant to 24 school districts in Iowa she worked with a variety of K-3 teachers and is skilled at incorporating adult learning theory to design effective professional development experiences. While working on her doctorate, Dr. Geiken also worked at the Regents’ Center for Early Developmental Education and Co-Investigator of the National Science Foundation grant to development physical science activities for young children.  Dr. Geiken’s research focuses on inquiry and problem solving in physical science for young children, emphasizing teacher interventions that support and enhance inquiry and problem solving. 

Friday Preconference Session:  STEM Inquiry-Based Learning

Beth Van Meeteren, Ed.D., a veteran early childhood teacher of 24 years and student of Dr. Rheta DeVries. Dr. Van Meeteren taught for Dr. DeVries for six years at DeVries's Freeburg Early Childhood Program. In the process, she developed constructivist early childhood curriculum particularly in the STEM areas. Her work is featured in DeVries's final two publications "Ramps and Pathways" and "Moral Classrooms, Moral Children." She now conducts research, designs and provides professional development, and teaches literacy and integration courses in early childhood (preK-grade 2). She recently completed her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Northern Iowa with an emphasis on STEM + literacy education in early childhood. Her dissertation is entitled "Designing Engineering Education from the Perspective of the Child."

Friday Preconference Session:  STEM Inquiry-Based Learning
Conference Sessions on Friday and Saturday

Susan O'Connell  is the coauthor of  Mastering the Basic Math Facts in Addition and Subtraction , and  Mastering the Basic Math Facts in Multiplication and Division .  She served as editor of Heinemann’s popular Math Process Standards series and was the author of its  Introduction to Problem Solving  and  Introduction to Communication  books. Sue also wrote the bestselling  Now I Get It ( Heinemann 2005). Sue O'Connell has years of experience as a classroom teacher, instructional specialist, district school improvement specialist, and university PDS coordinator. She is a nationally known speaker and education consultant, providing math professional development for schools and districts across the country. (Contract in process)