CDA Credential - Preschool, Part 2

Kimberly Norris
BS, MEd

Kimberly Norris has been an educator for more than 25 years.  She received a master’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis in reading from Southeast Missouri State University.  She has provided training for early childhood educators on topics ranging from developmentally appropriate practice to adaptations for children with special needs.  Presenting both at state and national conferences, she is passionate about educating professionals in the field of early childhood education.

Angela Hanscom
MOT OTR/L

Angela J. Hanscom is a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook—an award-winning developmental and nature-based program that has gained international popularity. She is also the author of Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children. Awarded a “Hometown Hero” by Glamour magazine for her innovative work with TimberNook, Hanscom has also been a frequent contributor to The Washington Post, and was featured on the NPR education blog, Children & Nature Network, Edutopia, and Johnson & Johnson TEDx Talks.

Amy Schlessman
BS, MPT, DPT, DHS

Amy Schlessman, PT, DPT, DHSc, is the Director of ADEPT (Accelerated Development of Excellence in Physical Therapy) at Tufts University, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. She has over 22 years of experience as a school-based physical therapist, working with early childhood and school-age students, teachers, parents, and administrators.

Her research is focused on embedding physical activity throughout the school day/health promotion, emergency preparedness, collaborative practices, and best practices in teaching. Amy has delivered over 65 professional presentations at national, state, and regional conferences and over 100 invited speaker presentations. Amy is the author of Recycle Bin Boogie: Move and Learn with Recyclables, a guide to physical activities combined with academic concepts using recyclables. Amy serves the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy as a member of the Communications/Membership/Public Relations Leadership Committee and State Advocacy Liaison for Ohio. Amy serves the Ohio Physical Therapy Association as part of the Pediatric Special Interest Group’s leadership team.

Carol Flexer
PhD CCC-A, LSLS Cert. AVT

The University of Akron and Northeast Ohio Au.D. Consortium & Listening and Spoken Language Consulting

Carol Flexer, PhD, FAAA, CCC-A, LSLS Cert. AVT (Listening and Spoken Language Specialist Certified Auditory Verbal Therapist) is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Audiology at the University of Akron. An international lecturer and consultant in pediatric and educational audiology and author of more than 155 publications including 14 books, Dr. Flexer is a past president of the Educational Audiology Association, the American Academy of Audiology, and the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language. For her research and advocacy for children with hearing loss, Dr. Flexer has received four prestigious awards: two from The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing -- the Volta Award and Professional of the Year Award; one from the American Academy of Audiology -- the 2012 Distinguished Achievement Award; and one from Kent State University -- The EHHS Hall of Fame Distinguished Alumni Award, 2015.

Tonya R. Hayes
MEd Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Tonya Hayes is a speech-language pathology assistant at Sprout Pediatrics. She holds a Master of Education degree from the University of South Carolina as well as a Bachelor's degree in Speech Correction from Columbia College. She has served children in the public schools for over ten years, led the Parent Education and Family Literacy program, and served as an early interventionist with the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind. She has a niche serving children and families of late talkers as well as those on the Autism Spectrum. Tonya and her husband enjoy travel, mentoring newlyweds at their church, and enjoying their adult sons and daughter-in-law.

Michelle Lange
BS OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS

Michelle is an occupational therapist with 30 years of experience and has been in private practice, Access to Independence, for over 10 years. She is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally and has authored numerous texts, chapters, and articles. She is the co-editor of Seating and Wheeled Mobility: a clinical resource guide, editor of Fundamentals in Assistive Technology, 4th ed., NRRTS Continuing Education Curriculum Coordinator, and Clinical Editor of Directions magazine. Michelle is on the teaching faculty of RESNA and is a member of the Clinician Task Force. She is also a certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), certified Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS), and is a Senior Disability Analyst of the American Board of Disability Analysts (ABDA).

Amanda Schwartz
PhD

Amanda Schwartz, Ph.D. is an educator and Federal contractor who has worked at national, regional, state, and local levels. While her expertise is focused on special education, health, early childhood education, and family engagement, Dr. Schwartz has worked on program management and emergency preparedness issues related to children and families. As a team member on several Federal projects, Dr. Schwartz worked in technical assistance, resource development, research, and monitoring. Throughout her career, Dr. Schwartz has developed professional development opportunities and publications to facilitate the use of research-based interventions and support data-driven decision-making by practitioners, technical assistance providers, and Federal staff in the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Liz Moore
MEd

Liz Moore, M.Ed, works as a Program Coordinator with the Oklahoma Autism Center and the University of Oklahoma's Health Science Center. Ms. Moore is the project coordinator of Early Foundations, a training site and an inclusive school for toddlers with autism. She has over 13 years teaching experience that includes public school experience in an early childhood special education classroom. Ms. Moore is certified in Early Childhood Education, Special Education and has completed her administration coursework. Ms. Moore has extensive experience and training in autism spectrum disorders and inclusive educational practices. She provides ongoing training and technical assistance to the public school and early intervention professionals.