Early Childhood Conference

Mary Jo Huff

Mary Jo Huff is a multi-award-winning teaching artist, author, storyteller, songwriter, and early childhood educator. She shares her passion and humor with audiences ranging from preschoolers and families to professional educators. With over 30 years of experience, Mary Jo effectively connects language and literacy through the use of stories, music, puppets, and props. Her educational workshops target standard-based curriculums, and she engages her audience in hands-on, easy-to-duplicate ideas. Puppets, props, and playful tales open the door for everyone interested in sharing a story.

Story and Puppet Play that Connects With All Children

Come ready to wiggle and giggle with the fun of story play for young children. Learn to connect basic skills, language development, motivation, social awareness, cultural awareness, and diversity along with environmental concerns. Books, stories, songs, finger plays, poems, and fun are interwoven throughout the Keynote. Puppets enrich learning, promote student interest, and ease problem-solving. Come prepared to interact and have educational fun using good common sense!

Jason Kotecki

Jason Kotecki is a professional reminder-er and permission granter who moonlights as an artist, author and professional speaker. Jason and his wife Kim have made it their mission in life to help people and organizations break free from Adultitis to build better lives, businesses, and teams. Jason’s colorful art has been collected and licensed all over the world, and his insights have been featured in publications like Inc. and Woman’s Day. He is the author of seven books, including Penguins Can’t Fly + 39 Other Rules That Don’t Exist, which has been translated into multiple languages. His book A Chance of Awesome: How Changing the Way You See Changes Everything was a welcome guidebook throughout the pandemic. Jason’s newest book released in 2023, with the title, “Must Be Nice: Your Guide to Growing Beyond the Compare Game.” As a speaker, Jason works with organizations to beat burnout and become more innovative by breaking rules that don’t exist.

Curing Adultitis

Jason will arm you with the fresh perspective you need to revitalize your passion for making a difference amidst the burden to do more with less. He provides witty observations, humorous anecdotes, and real-world techniques that will entertain and inspire you to reclaim your passion and create a better harmony between work and home. You’ll learn easy, practical tips for bringing more fun and less stress to the job at hand, contributing to a workplace that’s more positive, enjoyable, and engaging for yourself AND those you serve.

Jennifer Russell

Jen Russell is a transformational health and life coach in Austin, Texas. Her passion is helping people from all walks of life live with more authenticity and purpose so that they can enjoy greater health, wellness, joy, and balance. Before becoming a professional coach, she worked in early childhood special education as a teacher in underserved schools in New York City and Austin. She eventually became an Education Specialist and fell in love with presenting and coaching educators across central Texas. After 20 years in education, she started Jen Russell Coaching. Jen is deeply appreciative of the work that early childhood educators do every day and recognizes the challenges today's educators face related to self-care and wellness.

Debbie Tannos

Ana Zepeda

Amanda Winkler

Amanda Winkler is an educator, business owner, and early childhood advocate. She has spent the past 17 years as the owner of A+ Learning Academy in Temple, Texas. She completed her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and now spends time presenting and training teachers and administrators. She is an adjunct professor at several colleges and universities.
In 2008, after having her second child, she and her husband, Dr. Justin Winkler, decided to open a private program to provide parents with an opportunity for high-quality education. Starting with a max of 86 children, they have grown their program to a max of 333 children. It all comes down to commitment and dedication. Mrs. Winkler dedicates most of her time researching and planning growth opportunities for not only her staff but also her children and parents.

Amber Reinecke and Adrienne Arroyo

Amber Reinecke is the Cross-Curricular Systems Program Manager and Gifted and Talented (GT) Specialist at ESC Region 13. She has experience as an early childhood and elementary classroom teacher. In her current role, she serves upwards of 60 school districts and charter schools. She has a passion for working with the gifted community in order to advocate for student needs.

Karen Vinson

Karen Vinson, MS CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience. Karen has worked the majority of her career in the public school system as both a campus-based therapist and a member of the assistive technology team. Additionally, she has experience providing services in a private pediatric therapy clinic and as a telehealth contractor. Karen currently serves as the Speech Language Pathology Educational Specialist at ESC Region 13. She is passionate about working with individuals who have communication access needs. Karen is licensed by the TDLR and holds a certificate of clinical competence from ASHA.

Melissa Maurer and Melinda Maurer

Melissa Maurer: I have been an educator since 2015 and have been in Early Childhood since 2017. I received my Master's in Early Childhood Education from Texas State University in 2021 and received my Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education from McMurry University in 2012. I am currently embarking on my National Board Certified Teacher journey with a planned completion in 2025.

Melinda Maurer: I am a 21-year veteran teacher, and this is my 10th year in Early Childhood. I received my Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies III from McMurry University in 2003. I was awarded the Exemplary Designation in the Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment for the 2022-2023 school year.

Alicia McClung

Shelby Stone

My name is Shelby Stone, and I teach pre-k at Gonzales Primary Academy. I have three years of experience in Pre-k and three years of experience in first grade. I have worked with our tutoring program that spans from kindergarten to fifth grade for the last five years. I spend lots of time researching and developing new strategies for best teaching the whole child. One of my favorite things that I have implemented is a classroom pet to enhance my students' social-emotional learning and development, as well as make content more engaging. My class pets have been utilized not only in my classroom but also on the whole campus as well.

Josephine Rubio

Emily Johnson and Erin Terrell

Katelyn Spencer

Victoria Cox and Isabella DiRuggiero

Miguel Briones

LaShun Gaines and Jennifer Kaleikini

LaShun Gaines serves as the District Early Intervention Coordinator for Hays CISD and has served as an educator for twenty-five years! She is a dedicated educator who leads and motivates district and campus professionals by providing support, coaching, and mentoring for growth toward improved performance and ensuring professional development opportunities are accessible and differentiated to support employee goals and interests. She builds strong relationships and is passionate about her role in empowering leaders, teachers, and students!

Jennifer Kaleikini serves as Pre-K Teacher for Cullen Elementary School in Hays CISD and has served as an educator for twenty-one years! Ms. Kaleikini is a dynamic Pre-K Teacher leader and mentors new Pre-K Teachers. She is an innovative Pre-K teacher who creates a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive environment where children are excited to learn and grow. She fosters social and emotional development and prepares children for the transition to kindergarten through a fun and engaging curriculum!

Brandy Crumley

Zobeida Guerrero and Miguel Venegas

Zobeida Guerrero is a passionate advocate for equity and access in underserved communities. With extensive experience working with low-income Latinx populations, she focuses on education, workforce development, and community empowerment. As a Program Director at AVANCE, she supports families through early childhood education and economic opportunities, while also collaborating with NTEN to promote the equitable use of technology in nonprofits. Committed to fostering inclusive spaces, Zobeida works to bridge gaps in resources and opportunities. Zobeida holds a Bachelor's and a Master’s degree in Education.

Mexican American first generation, Miguel Angel Venegas, is a dedicated community development professional with extensive experience working with immigrant and refugee populations, and more than 14 years leading high-impact, cross-functional teams across diverse industries in both Mexico and the United States. Currently serving as the Program Coordinator at AVANCE Austin in Texas, Miguel is responsible for the direct implementation of the AVANCE program, overseeing staff, coordinating services, and ensuring the proper execution of the PCEP curriculum. Miguel holds a Bachelor of Business in Economics from the University of Texas at El Paso and is expected to complete a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Universidad Regional del Norte in 2025.

Rebecca Gandara and Alexandra Sitterle

Joseph Melvin

Heather Cassity

Heather has 23 years of early childhood teaching and instructional coaching experience in three different school districts. She is currently the Head Start Education Specialist in Austin ISD. Heather is a strong advocate for play in early childhood and for building teacher capacity in all facets of early learning.

Carissa Madderom and Kelly Volding

My name is Carissa Madderom. I have been working in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 12 years. I graduated with a degree in Special Education from the University of Dayton and went back to school to get my masters in Early Childhood Studies. I have had the experience of working as a Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, and Early Childhood Special Education Teacher. This past school year, I had the privilege to start in a new role as an Early Childhood Special Education Specialist with Austin ISD. In this role, I have been able to develop my passion for educating and collaborating with adults to bring together learning at the best level for student growth.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson is an Early Childhood Specialist in Leander ISD. Sarah taught in a PK/ECSE Inclusion classroom for 18 years before becoming an EC Specialist. Currently, she coaches Pre-K and ECSE teachers in classroom best practices and provides training opportunities with her EC Department team for teachers and instructional assistants.

William Mayer and Gena Billeaud

William Mayer is the Statewide TEKS Resource System Strategic Programs Specialist. He focuses on creating bilingual and strategic content for the TEKS Resource System, ensuring educators across Texas have access to high-quality, aligned resources.

Genifer Billeaud serves as the Statewide TEKS Resource System Strategic Programs Coordinator, where she leads the development of bilingual and strategic curriculum materials and assessments.

Alejandra Gonzalez

Alejandra Gonzalez is an Elementary Math Education Specialist with ESC Region 13 and has 11 years of experience in Elementary Bilingual Education. Alejandra is passionate about fostering students’ deep conceptual understanding and providing multiple entry points to access math content. Alejandra believes in productive collaboration, comprehensible data analysis, and providing educators with effective tools to support all students.

Cara Zelas

Monica Kurtz

Katlyn Wilkerson

My name is Katlyn Wilkerson, and I am a proud special education teacher from Bastrop ISD. I have just completed my 11th year teaching. I spent 9 of those years in an ECSE classroom. I have a passion for teaching and helping other teachers grow in the field of education.

Denise Szymczak MA, CCC/SLP

This is my 29th year working as a speech pathologist. I have worked with preschool/early childhood students and their families, as well as their teachers and classrooms, for much of my career. My current caseload includes a preschool speech articulation program called PALS, supporting AAC devices for students in ECSE classrooms, and evaluations of preschool students through the ChildFind process.

Kameron Koeffler

Kameron is the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) teacher at the University of Texas Elementary School in Austin, Texas. Kameron has a B.S. in Applied Learning and Development: All-Level Special Education with additional certifications in EC-6th grade and English as a Second Language (ESL). Their purpose in education is to provide equitable opportunities while promoting diversity, inclusion, and fostering critical thinkers who will change the world.

Vanessa Moran and Eleanna Ocampo

Vanessa Moran is a passionate educator with over 15 years of experience teaching Early Childhood. Vanessa is currently an Early Childhood Consultant. Vanessa Moran holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is dedicated to fostering a love of learning through play.

Eleanna- A passionate educator with over 15 years of experience teaching Early Childhood, currently an Early Childhood Consultant. Eleanna Ocampo holds a master’s degree in bicultural bilingual studies and is dedicated to fostering a love of learning through play.

Lauren Gomez

Lauren Gomez has been in the field of early childhood education and special education for nearly 20 years. Her background includes a B.A. in Communication Disorders, an M.A. in ECSE, an M.A. in Educational Leadership and Administration, and a doctoral student in Curriculum and Instruction. Her prior roles include Early Interventionist, Speech Therapist, Special Education Teacher, Instructional Coach, Induction Mentor, state Curriculum and Instructional Specialist, and Coordinator of Special Education. Mrs. Gomez's continued role in education is founded on her passion for servant leadership to provide support for educators, children, and their families.

Lorenza Skinner

Katie Peek and Thomas Woodard

Katie Adams Peek serves as a Special Education Liaison at ESC Region 13, where she supports educational leaders in design thinking, goal setting, and special education compliance. She holds a Master of Science from the University of Texas at Dallas and brings extensive experience as a speech-language pathologist, having worked in Round Rock ISD, Richardson ISD, and the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University. Additionally, she has served as an education specialist and coordinator of a regional graduate school program in the area of speech-language pathology. Passionate about fostering student success, Katie is dedicated to equipping educators with effective strategies to navigate challenges and achieve meaningful outcomes.

Thomas Woodard serves as a Special Education Liaison at ESC Region 13, supporting educational leaders in design thinking, goal setting, and special education compliance. He holds a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in School Psychology from the University of Texas at Tyler. His career encompasses roles as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP), Psychological Services Supervisor, and Special Education Coordinator across multiple institutions in North Texas, including the Denton County Special Education Coop, Farmersville ISD, and Argyle ISD. This diverse experience has provided him with comprehensive insights into special education challenges and opportunities across various school districts. In his current role, he focuses on connecting professionals with their school communities through honest conversations, data-driven decision-making, and practical database design; his approach enables educators to make informed choices that benefit students with special needs, leveraging his expertise in psychological principles and their educational applications.

Sharilyn Woodall and Teresa Shanahan

Sharilyn Woodall has twelve years of early childhood experience, having served as a prekindergarten teacher, assistant principal, and instructional specialist. She currently supports Round Rock ISD as Prekindergarten Programs Coordinator. With a deep understanding of early childhood development and a genuine love for this critical stage, Sharilyn is passionate about making PK classrooms a place where students and teachers thrive.

Teresa Shanahan is the Assistant Director of Early Childhood for Round Rock ISD, bringing nearly three decades of experience in education. She's taught in dual language classrooms, supported teachers as a dual language instructional coach, and spent seven years leading as the district's Prekindergarten Programs Coordinator. With degrees in both Spanish and kinesiology, Teresa brings a unique perspective to early childhood, combining language, movement, and whole-child development to support young learners and the educators who serve them.

Melissa Holloway

Ashley Brooks

Chidi C Iwuchukwu

Kidnapped at gunpoint and held for ransom, Chidi Iwuchukwu lives to share his remarkable journey from overcoming harrowing life experiences to becoming a bestselling author and community leader. Having survived a terrifying kidnapping and battled cancer, Chidi has not only thrived but has also become a No.1 International bestselling author, a Coach, and a beacon in his community.

Katrina Erickson

Katrina received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, in 1990. Through school-based practice and private handwriting services, she is passionate about helping children of all abilities develop the necessary skills to be successful at school, especially those young learners in PreK and ECSE classrooms.

Kristen Holub

Monica Meyers

As a public educator, I have spent 22 years as a high school teacher and coach, 5 years as a middle school special education teacher, 3 years as a behavior specialist, and 1 year as a special education coordinator. I have also worked with non-profit organizations serving individuals with special needs (3-83 years old) and their families. Currently, I am a Coordinator for Georgetown ISD, and I support general education behavior. As an educator, I have been honored to be named Hutto Middle School Campus Teacher of the Year (2 times) and Georgetown ISD District Support Staff of the Year. In 2021, I received my Behavior Coach Endorsement from Region 13.

Elisabeth Thomison and Denisse Baldwin

Elisabeth has 18 years of experience in public education focused on early childhood. Starting as an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) teacher in Hutto ISD, where she created and implemented an inclusion program serving a wide range of abilities within her classroom, Elisabeth now serves as the Director of the Early Learning Center in Georgetown ISD.

Denisse has 17 years of experience in public education, serving as a teacher, elementary campus principal, and district-level administrator. She now serves as the Associate VP of Early Learning Advancement for United Way of Greater Austin.

Carol Nolan and Emma Junkin DeLeon

Emma Junkin is a committed Inclusive Practices Specialist focused on helping educators build learning environments where all students feel supported and have the opportunity to succeed. Her goal is to be a trusted resource for teachers who want to create classrooms that meet the needs of a wide range of learners. Emma collaborates with teachers, administrators, and schools to promote effective teaching strategies, providing the knowledge and tools needed to support student growth and success across all levels.

Carol is an enthusiastic educator with experience as a Resource classroom teacher for math and English Language Arts and an Inclusion teacher for all four core subjects. In addition to teaching, she created inclusion schedules for students, teachers, and paraprofessionals, and supported the development of master schedules. Her enthusiasm for teaching comes from an interest in problem-solving and unlocking the full potential of students in a learning environment. Currently, Carol is an Education Specialist in Inclusive Practices at Region 13.

Katelyn Spencer and Carly Ferrill

Katelyn has served as an ECSE teacher in Round Rock ISD for 14 years. She is a graduate of the University of Texas with a degree in Special Education and is passionate about furthering her knowledge and skills in the areas of child development and sensory integration.

Carly is in her 15th year as a Special Education Teacher. She started her teaching career in Florida, in a K-5 Emotional/Behavioral Disorder classroom, then transitioned to Early Childhood Special Education. She taught Pre-K Special Education for 5 years and then served as a District Behavior Coach in Palm Beach County. She is currently in her 8th year as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher and Coach for RRISD.

Nicole Jones and Melanie Smith

Chapin Shay

I have a BS in All-Level Special Education and specialized training in neurodiversity-affirming practices. I’ve spent the last four years teaching early childhood education at RRISD. As a late-diagnosed autistic individual, it is my mission to improve the way we look at neurodivergent children in the classroom. I am also a graduate student who teaches full-time.

Ann McKitrick

Kimberly Montalvo and Blanca Valdez

As Director of Implementation/Partnerships, Kimberly Montalvo leverages nearly 20 years of experience in early childhood education to support teachers in building their capacity and successfully supporting all students. With a background as a teacher, coach, and curriculum specialist, and expertise in supporting English language learners, Kimberly leverages her experience running a center on an Army base, working with a Workforce Solutions board as a coach and trainer, and many years as a teacher to deliver best-in-class support.