CDA Credential - Preschool, Part 5

Tom Copeland
BA, JD

Tom Copeland is the nation’s leading expert on the business of child care. He is the author of ten books and trains thousands of caregivers each year. A licensed attorney, he worked for Resources for Child Caring, a non-profit organization, for 28 years before becoming a private consultant in 2009.

Connie Jo Smith
EdD

Dr. Connie Jo Smith’s professional passions include exploring play, encouraging curiosity and problem solving in children and adults, designing professional development opportunities, and writing for the practitioner. Her most recent publications include “Behavioral Challenges in Early Childhood Settings” and “Growing, Growing Strong: A Whole Health Curriculum for Young Children” published by Redleaf Press. She has contributed to the early childhood field as a teacher of young children; director of for-profit and non-profit child care and Head Start programs; administrator of state and foundation programs; child care resource and referral administrator; child studies faculty member teaching undergraduate and graduate classes; instructional design graduate faculty member; instructional designer; trainer, and author. Her academic background includes an EdD in Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, an EdS in Elementary and Early Curriculum and Instruction, an MA in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Area of Concentration, and a BS in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Endorsement.

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.

Katie Ryan Fotiadis
MS

Amber Tankersley
PhD

Amber Tankersley is an associate professor in child development within the department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary/early childhood education, a master's degree in elementary education, and a PhD in curriculum and instruction. She has worked in the field of early childhood for over 20 years as a preschool teacher, university child care center director, university instructor/professor and director of an NAEYC accredited preschool lab. She often presents at workshops/conferences on the topic of early childhood curriculum and the importance of play. She teaches courses such as: early childhood curriculum, interacting with children, parent/professional relationships, and she supervises practicum students and preschool student teachers. 

Becky Bennett
EdD

Dr. Bennett received her EdD in Instructional Technology and Distance Education and holds a Master’s Degree in School Counseling, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication.  As a high school teacher; college career center director; career counselor; trainer in both the public and private sectors; author; and consultant, she has over 35 years of experience in designing and presenting information tailored for adult learners on a variety of topics. 

Jennifer Romanoff
MA

Jennifer Romanoff, MA ECE, is a trainer of early childhood teachers, center administrative teams, and owners. A published author of three books on responding to toddler behavior, Jennifer has been teaching and training in the early childhood education field for over 27 years. She has presented nationally both through live sessions and webinars. As Vice President of Education and Training for her company, Jennifer also creates trainings to support best practices, excellence in education, and the accreditation process. A supervisor series of trainings developed specifically for center administrative teams is Jennifer's current focus. This project has included use of a production studio, an online learning center, and simulcast capabilities, where she recently hosted an event for over 800 attendees.

Nicole Quint
Dr.OT, OTR/L

Nicole Quint has been an occupational therapist for over 15 years, working in adult and pediatric rehabilitation and academia. She is currently Associate Professor in the Occupational Therapy Department at Nova Southeastern University, teaching in both the Masters and Doctoral programs. She provides outpatient pediatric OT services at NSU and Social Mind Center, specializing in children and adolescents with Sensory Processing Disorder and concomitant disorders. She also provides consultation services for schools, professional development, and special education services. She provides continuing education on topics related to Sensory Processing Disorder, pediatric considerations on the occupation of sleep, occupational therapy and vision, reflective therapist, executive functions, leadership in occupational therapy and social emotional learning. She is currently working on a PhD in conflict analysis and resolution specific to systems and organizations, with an interest in disability and conflict.

Natasha Crosby Kile
MS

Natasha Crosby Kile, MS is a Program Coordinator for Bentonville Schools in Bentonville, AR, and works as a certified trainer, writer, coach and consultant for both the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University. Natasha has over 25 years of experience working in the field of Early Childhood as a teacher, supervisor, trainer and mentor. She holds a Bachelor's of Science in Child Development from the University of Arkansas and a Master's of Science in Childhood Services from Arkansas State University. Natasha has served as a leader in many areas including serving on the board of Arkansas Early Childhood Association. Natasha has a passion for training early childhood professionals and finds herself right at home in a group of 5 to 5,000 teachers that are eager to facilitate the growth of young children and support their families. She is a distinguished expert, and was named Arkansas Early Childhood Professional of the Year in 2012.