Presenters

Heather Aiken, PhD, NBCT, is currently the intervention director for Targeted Reading Instruction (TRI; formerly called Targeted Reading Intervention) at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to this role she spent three years as a TRI literacy coach while completing her PhD in Teacher Education and Curriculum at UNC-Chapel Hill. She spent 17 years teaching preK through third grade.

Ted Bovey is a founding member of the Pyramid Model Consortium and and has been involved in the Pyramid Model development and training since it's inception almost 20 years ago. Ted was also a member of the research team that developed and trialed the Prevent-Teach-Reinforce and Prevent-Teach-Reinforce for Young Children individualized system of Positive Behavior Intervention and Support and he continues to work with teams providing training and support in the implementation of PTR and PTR-YC.

Adelicia Brienzo is one of the Illinois Resource Center's newest Education Specialists! With over fifteen years in the field of education, Adelicia is a passionate advocate for culturally and linguistically diverse children and families. Raised in a Hispanic community by an immigrant parent, Adelicia was inspired early in her life to become involved in promoting equity in systemically disadvantaged populations.

Adelicia has earned Masters' degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership and holds endorsements in English as a Second Language/Bilingual Education and Special Education. She has served as a home visitor, DEI facilitator, program supervisor/administrator, and taught in PreK, primary, dual language, and special education classrooms. Her strong background in Early Childhood gives her an informed perspective in meeting the needs of our youngest English Learners.

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.

Becky Handler, Resource Specialist: Becky Handler has her B.S. and a M.S. in speech language pathology. Her past work experience includes team teaching Kindergarten children with severe communication disorders, consulting and an inclusion facilitator in a school district. She has extensive experience consulting and mentoring in early childhood and elementary classrooms, day care sites and Head Start programs. She is a trainer of trainers for, Portfolios, ECERS-3, IELDS and ELS.

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. Aimee Kotrba specializes in the treatment of Selective Mutism, utilizing gold-standard behaviorally-based interventions. She pairs these interventions with parent-training (to assist parent's in supporting and advocating for their children with SM) and school consultation. Dr. Kotrba is a nationally-known expert and speaker on the identification and treatment of Selective Mutism and loves working with families to promote “brave talking”. Dr. Kotrba has authored Selective Mutism: An Assessment and Intervention Guide for Therapists, Educators, and Parents and Overcoming Selective Mutism: A Field Guide for Parents.

Toni W. Linder consults and presents nationally and internationally on the role of play in assessment, intervention and curriculum. Dr. Linder is Professor Emerita at the Mortgridge College of Education at the University of Denver, Colorado. She has authored books on transdisciplinary play-based assessment (TPBA) and intervention (TPBI). Toni is currently advising a game company on how to modify games for children with special needs, is helping to develop a technology app for grandparents to play with their young grandchildren online, and is working with a team of professionals on the development of TPBA3, which will be an online version.

Dr. Lynas is a clinical psychologist and anxiety specialist who values and implements evidence-based treatments in her practice, and enjoys spreading awareness and education about anxiety. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Palo Alto University in CA, completed her clinical internship at Northwestern University Medical School’s Stone Institute of Psychiatry, and her post-doctoral fellowship at Shared Vision Psychological Services, treating both children and adults. Motivated by her passion to help children and families coping with selective mutism, Dr. Lynas founded Advanced Therapeutic Solutions, which houses the Selective Mutism Program and aims to provide appropriate and effective selective mutism treatment. With the launch of Adventure Camp in 2011, Dr. Lynas became the first in the nation to replicate Dr. Steven Kurtz’s Brave Buddies Selective Mutism intensive program, making this innovative treatment available in the Chicago area for the first time. Later renamed Advanced Therapeutic Solutions for Anxiety (ATSA), Dr. Lynas has broadened her clinic to serve those coping with anxieties and phobias as well as behavioral issues. Dr. Lynas provides parent training, teacher training, doctoral-level practicum clinician training, and specialist consultation/supervision to therapists who seek to learn how to treat selective mutism, as well as running Adventure Camp yearly.

Monique Marshall is a committed Diversity, Equity and Anti-racism consultant. A 30 year veteran Elementary school teacher, Monique holds a Masters degree from Bank Street graduate school. She has presented at the NAIS sponsored POCC, the Across Colors Conference, PEN (Progressive Educators Network), CES (Coalition of Essential Schools), The Young Child Expo & Conference, and in preschools, elementary schools and colleges. Her workshops focus specifically on anti-bias, anti-racist, diversity, equity and inclusion work with young children.

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.

Lisa Murphy has been involved in early childhood education for over 30 years. She has written five books, produced numerous training DVDs, serves on many early childhood advisory boards, is an international speaker and trainer, is co-host of the podcast Child Care Bar and Grill and is the founder and CEO of Ooey Gooey, Inc. Lisa is an outspoken advocate known for her commitment to creating child-centered, play-based early childhood environments and her fierce protection of childhood. In 2013 she received her Masters in Early Childhood Education from Champlain College, in 2018 she received the Patricia Monighan Nourot Award for Play Advocacy from NAEYC’s Play Policy and Practice Interest Forum, in 2020, her book, Lisa Murphy On... Being Child Centered was nominated for “Best in Education” by Midwest Book Awards, and in 2022 she received the honorary Dr. of Play Award from the USA branch of the International Play Association. Her seminars have been called humorous, energetic, content-rich and inspiring. She currently resides in Central Florida.

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.

Rhonda O'Connor, ECSE Professional Development Specialist: Rhonda O'Connor has years of experience as a special education teacher with emphasis on early childhood. She has focused on teaching young children with severe emotional and behavioral disabilities, working at preschools and therapeutic day schools. She has a Master’s in Special Education and licensure in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education. She is an accredited Trainer of Trainers for The Pyramid Model for Social Emotional Competence and ECERS-3.

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.

Jennifer Rosinia is an Occupational Therapist and Child Development Specialist. A master clinician and a gifted teacher, Dr. Rosinia has taken a stand for the body specifically the ways in which the neurobiological systems impact relationships, development, and learning. Areas of specialization include sensory processing, the stress response system, adverse childhood experiences and the ways in which experiences in and with nature impact development. Dr. Rosinia is on faculty at the Erikson Institute. Jennifer has a growing national reputation as a powerful speaker and consultant. Dr. Rosinia brings a healthy balance of humor, passion, and expertise to all of her presentations. She is the president of Kid Links Unlimited, Incorporated a company whose mission is to link theory to practice, parents with professionals and kids with their optimal potential.

 

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 an Early Childhood Special Education Professional Development 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 twelve 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.