Presenters

Marc Baxter, B.S. Ed., is an Early Childhood Resource Specialist for STAR NET Regions I and III. He has been a preschool teacher for 14 years, working four years as a lead teacher at the St. Ambrose University Children’s Campus in Davenport, IA and then ten years as a lead teacher at the MacArthur Early Childhood Center in Macomb, Illinois. Marc has worked with a diverse population of students across many cultural, socioeconomic, and inclusive backgrounds. While in Macomb, Marc worked in a variety of committees dedicated to improving the school and district, including serving as a parent-teacher coordinator, team leader, union representative, and mentor teacher. He also worked with and instructed several students from Western Illinois University looking to complete field hours in the classroom.

Annie Boldt has been teaching Early Childhood Special Education since 2014. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Early Childhood Education, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Annie has a passion for creating engaging and inclusive learning environments that encourage all students to reach their full potential. Having been diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and as the parent of a child with ADHD, Annie is driven to empower her students to learn about their unique learning styles and teach them how to advocate for themselves. Annie has a particular interest in executive functioning and has developed innovative activities and materials that have proven to be effective in helping students gain independence. She is a strong advocate for families and has worked to raise awareness regarding equity and promote positive change. Annie is excited to share her expertise and insights with fellow educators and looks forward to learning from and collaborating with others

Marlene Christ is the Project Director for STAR NET Region VI. She has extensive experience in early childhood programs and services. Marlene has worked as a school-based speech-language pathologist, diagnostician on an Early Childhood Team; Early Intervention service provider, and supervisor of an Early Intervention program. Marlene also served as supervisor of the speech-language program and assistive technology program at Southwest Cook County Cooperative Association for Special Education and as an educational consultant and trainer for Infinitec. Marlene has a B.A. in Speech, a M.H.S in Communication Disorders and has completed graduate coursework for a School Administrators Certificate.

Doreen Comings, Ph. D., CCC-SLP/L has been a Speech-Language Pathologist at Madison Early Childhood Education Center (MECEC) in Elmhurst District 205 since 2005. She previously worked at the Elementary and Middle School level for District 205. She currently serves children in early childhood special education classrooms, blended classrooms, and bilingual classrooms who have a wide variety of speech and language needs and disorders. She is a proponent of integrated push-in services in the classroom and primarily uses a classroom based model to serve her students. Doreen is also an adjunct professor at Northern Illinois University and has taught courses in Language Development (COMD 403, LTCY 403x), Early Childhood Language Disorders (COMD 603), and Assessment of Language Disorders (COMD 475). She received her Master’s degree from Miami University and her Ph.D. from Northern Illinois University.

Angie Darnell is an ECSE Professional Development Specialist for STAR NET Region IV with more than 25 years of experience in early childhood, serving in positions in Even Start, Model Parental Training, and Preschool For All Programs. She was in a PFA classroom for 11 years. Angie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and also holds an Early Childhood Education license with Special Education Endorsements.

Michelle Evans has a wide variety of experience working with children who have special needs. In addition to being a parent of two children with special needs, Michelle is also a Developmental Therapist for Early Intervention. She has an extensive background of working closely with families and coordinating community events. Michelle earned a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

Tareema Jean-Baptiste is a Family Professional Development Resource Specialist with STAR NET Region V. As a fierce advocate for her oldest son, who has special needs, Tareema uses diligence, intelligence, and an untiring drive to make sure he receives everything under the law entitled to him. She is passionate about sharing what she has learned with others, hopefully helping them on their journey. Using her experience in real estate, event management, and her most recent experience as Neighborhood Parents Network’s Programs Manager, Tareema will continue to support and facilitate family programming for STAR NET Region V. Affectionately nicknamed "The Connector" by her friends and family, she is excited to share creative, equitable and inclusive ways for all families to connect throughout the city. Tareema and her family, including her husband and three children, live in Chicago's Hyde Park/Kenwood neighborhood.

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.

Sheri Kraus is the ECSE Family Professional Development Specialist with STAR NET Region IV. Prior to working for STAR NET, Sheri was an Educational Interpreter and provided Ministry Interpreting for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Sheri received her Bachelors in Science degree in Workforce Education Development from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and her Associates in Applied Science degree in Sign Language Interpreting from Southwestern Illinois College. Sheri and her husband are parents of three young men, one which happens to have Autism Spectrum Disorder. She enjoys working with families and sharing all she can with those who have children with and without disabilities.

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.

Chris Miller is an educational consultant who has presented across the country about best practices for special education and early childhood education. He has held positions with the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and several school districts as a district administrator. Chris also regularly teaches education courses at the Universities of Denver and Colorado. Chris’s educational path took him from a BA in Psychology and an EdS in School Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado to an EdD in Educational Equity and Leadership from the University of Colorado Denver. Both his EdS and EdD included specialization in early childhood education and special education. Previous to administrative roles, Chris has worked for many years as a school psychologist in Washington and Colorado. Chris’ passion in education has always included early childhood systems, especially effective inclusion of all students and partnering with families to ensure educational attainment for all children.
 

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.

Kathy Nehrt recently retired as a Resource Specialist for STARNET. She has participated in statewide Early Childhood Outcomes, Early Intervention to Early Childhood Transition and STARNET Region IV Community Focus Groups. She believes in supporting children, families and the Early Childhood professionals who serve them. She retired after over 36 years in education, working as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher and coordinator, Blended Pre-K/Head Start teacher and Family Coordinator, and as an adjunct professor. She has a BS in Special Education, Early Childhood minor, from WIU and a MSEd in Speical Education for SIUE, with additional coursework in Educational Leadership.

Bridget Ortmann is currently the Supervisor of Early Childhood Special Education in Naperville Community Unit School District 203, where she facilitates the transition process from Early Intervention to Preschool, serves as  lead of the Screening and Diagnostic Teams and supports staff in the understanding and use of best practices in special education for Early Childhood.  She has been serving in early childhood since 2011 where she began her career as a Developmental Therapist in Early Intervention.  Upon transitioning to Naperville 203, Bridget served as a Blended Classroom preschool teacher, supporting the general education, special education and English Learner needs of her students and developing strong relationships with the families.  After leaving the classroom, Bridget assumed the role of Student Services Coordinator, where she provided Instructional Coaching to staff.  Outside of the district, Bridget 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 Saint Mary’s College earning a B.A. in Psychology and Communicative Disorders.  Bridget later attended Elmhurst College where she received an M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education and North Central College where she obtained Master’s in Educational Leadership .  She also holds an English Language Learner and Learning Behavior Specialist 1 endorsement.

Brianna Sayre Geiser has worked in Early Childhood Education for 30 years. Her career started in Houston TX as a self contained Early Childhood Special Education Teacher with a focus on children with Autism and challenging behavior for 7 years. Brianna earned a Master's Degree from St Thomas University in Houston, TX as an Educational Diagnostician and fulfilled that role for 1 year in middle school. She eventually made her way back to her home state of Iowa to work for Heartland Area Education Agency as an Early Childhood Consultant and Professional Development trainer. Annie Boldt has been teaching Early Childhood Special Education since 2014. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Early Childhood Education, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Annie has a passion for creating engaging and inclusive learning environments that encourage all students to reach their full potential. Having been diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and as the parent of a child with ADHD, Annie is driven to empower her students to learn about their unique learning styles and teach them how to advocate for themselves. Annie has a particular interest in executive functioning and has developed innovative activities and materials that have proven to be effective in helping students gain independence. She is a strong advocate for families and has worked to raise awareness regarding equity and promote positive change. Annie is excited to share her expertise and insights with fellow educators and looks forward to learning from and collaborating with others.

Connie Shugart, Project Coordinator STARnet Regions I & III, has over 30 years of experience working in the field of early childhood education. Her experiences include teaching and/or training of early childhood and early intervention professionals and families. She has done presentations at many regional, state and national conferences. A few of her topics include curriculum, assessment, standards, environments, child development, and play. Connie is also one of the Executive Producers and hosts of Apples Magazine training videos. Her passions include educating professionals and families on play and the impact that the early childhood environment has on teaching and learning.

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.

Roseann Slaght has worked as a Family Resource Specialist for STARnet for 23 years. Her goals are to embrace inclusive practices, and find ways to support each child in order to develop their full potential, and include parents as partners in the learning process. She is a parent of two adult men with significant disabilities. In her spare time, she is also a licensed Massage Therapist. Rose earned her degree in Child Development.

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.

Sharon Sprague is an ECSE Professional Development Specialist for STAR NET Region II. Sharon has worked in the field of Education, Early Childhood Education, and Special Education as a classroom teacher and administrator for over 25 years. She most recently was the Director of Early Childhood programs at the Joseph E. Hill Early Education Center for School District 65 in Evanston, IL. Sharon holds a doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Master’s of Science in Early Childhood Education from The Erikson Institute.  Previously, Sharon has been a presenter for Illinois State Board of Education conferences, and a trainer and coach for school professionals in issues pertaining to Early Childhood Education and Special Education. 

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.

Rachel Varela Bernardin has twenty years experience working in early childhood education since graduating in 2004, all of which have been in preschool. Sixteen years have been as an at-risk early childhood teacher in public schools for varying positions between ESL, bilingual, and special education. She holds a bachelor's in early childhood, master's in curriculum and instruction, endorsement in ESL/ bilingual, and special education approval for preschool. Her passion is inclusion and supporting teachers with the tools they need so that everyone can be successful.

Sheila Yates, M. Ed Early Childhood Administration, is an ECSE Family and Professional Development Specialist for STAR NET Regions I and III. She has experience teaching preschool as well as leading teams of early childhood professionals in community-based organizations. Sheila is passionate about providing resources and education to professionals and families on the impact that quality environments and relationships have on young children.