Focus on Children Conference
Focus on Children, 2026
42nd Annual Conference
Saturday, February 7, 2026
8 am - 4:30 pm
Location: Whatcom Community College Syre Center, Bellingham WA
Sponsor List:
The Imagine Institute
Child Care Aware / Opportunity Council
Northwest Indian College
PNW Chapter of WAEYC
Dr Chao-ying & Sue Wu Early Learnining Scholarship Fund
Whatcom Community College
Bellingham Technical College
Keynote
Little Bodies, Big Hearts
Whatcom County Library System Youth Services Manager Thom Barthelmess will talk with attendees about emotional literacy. We’ll look at ways we can support young children as they develop and sustain healthy relationships with their emotions, and center books and stories as invaluable resources for exploration, affirmation, and connection.
Presented by Thom Barthelmess
Thom Barthelmess is the Youth Services Manager at the Whatcom County Library System and has been bringing children and books together for over 30 years. He is a Past-President of the Association for Library Service to Children, the nation’s largest organization for children’s librarians. He has served as Chair of the Newbery Award Committee, the world’s oldest and most prestigious literary award for children, as well as the Chair of the Boston Globe Horn Book Award Jury and the Washington State Book Award for Young People’s Literature. He taught at the Graduate School for Library and Information Science at Dominican University where he was the inaugural Curator of the Butler Children’s Literature Center. He has lectured internationally about the role of books and stories in rich, full, curious lives.
Agenda
Focus 2026 Agenda
8 - 8:30 am:
Check-in, light breakfast (provided)
8:30 - 8:40 am:
Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:40 - 9:40 am:
Keynote Presentation: Little Bodies, Big Hearts
Thom Barthelmess
9:40 - 10 am:
Break
10 - 12 noon:
Morning Workshops (2 hours)
-
Beyond the Walls: Building Relationships Through Intentional Classroom Design
Jeanne Holdal & Julie Wasilewski -
The Adult That Plays
Michael Haycock -
Teaching Independence Through Practical Life Activities
Ian Becker & Jack Eiford -
The Importance of the Caregiver-Child Relationship for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
Kimberlee Shoecraft -
Playful Learning with Everyday Materials
Allie Bishop -
Designing Your Classroom So It Reflects Your Community and the Land
Kim Bogren Owen -
Play and Children’s Development: Exploration of the Teacher’s Role in Supporting Children’s Play
Dr. Jennifer KarshnaCómo promover el desarrollo y aprendizaje a través del juego: herramientas prácticas y efectivas
Carolina Olza-Kelsh
12 - 1 pm:
Lunch
1 - 4 pm:
Afternoon Workshops (3 Hours) 1- 4 pm
-
Flip It (Abridged)
Urvasi Graham & Jamie Ashton -
Stitching Success: Building Our ECE Program Together
Deb Walrath
Early Afternoon Workshops (1.5 Hours) 1-2:30 pm
-
Using Music to Enhance Learning in Early Childhood
Audrey Schwind -
Social & Emotional Learning: The Role of Books and Stories
Thom Barthelmess -
Playful Learning in Action
Allie Bishop, Mary Melloh, Ashley Reynoso, Ryleigh Stover -
The Science of Interoception: Supporting Self-Regulation and Emotional Well-Being in Early Learning Environments
Ira Glovinsky, PhD & Frances Poteet, PhD -
Honoring the Culture: Cultures’ Influence on Development
Kim Bogren Owen -
Beyond Words: Strategies for Supporting Linguistically Diverse Families
Elsie De La Rosa & Jacque Rafferty -
Tendiendo Puentes: Estrategias de apoyo a las familias lingüísticamente diversas
Elsie De La Rosa & Jacque Rafferty
Late Afternoon Workshops (1.5 Hours) 2:45-4 pm
-
The Science of Interoception: Supporting Self-Regulation and Emotional Well-Being in Early Learning Environments
Ira Glovinsky, PhD & Frances Poteet, PhD -
Using Music to Enhance Learning in Early Childhood
Audrey Schwind -
Fear No Number: Overcoming Teacher Math Trauma
Catherine Conway, Samantha Dolan, Annie Garrett, Carol Jack, Matt McKenzie -
Family Engagement Strategies to Strengthen School-Home Relationships and Support Social-Emotional Learning
Michelle Malone -
Infant Brain Development
Darcie Donegan -
La Familia Latina y Acceso a Servicios Sociales
Monica Blaine
4 - 4:30 pm:
Sign-Out
Workshops
Morning Workshops (10 - 12 pm)
Beyond the Walls: Building Relationships Through Intentional Classroom Design
Jeanne Holdal & Julie Wasilewski
A well-designed classroom environment is more than just a physical space; it’s an active partner in children’s learning and relationship building. This interactive workshop explores how early learning environments can be intentionally structured to promote positive peer interactions, collaboration, and a sense of belonging. Participants will examine how room layout, materials, routines, and teacher practices influence social-emotional development and community building. Through reflection, discussion, and hands-on activities, educators will learn strategies to create inclusive, engaging spaces that support children in developing empathy, communication skills, and meaningful connections with others
Core Competency: Curriculum & Learning Environment
The Adult That Plays
Michael Haycock
The Adult That Plays is an interactive workshop that invites educators to rediscover the power of play. Through improv-inspired activities, participants explore skills that enhance their ability to play and bring out playfulness in their students. By the end, you will leave energized, inspired, and equipped to bring more playfulness and presence into your work and life.
Core Competency: Interactions
Teaching Independence Through Practical Life Activities
Ian Becker & Jack Eiford
In this workshop, we will discuss the importance of helping children develop independence through learning practical life skills. Engaging in practical life activities such as putting on clothes, cleaning tables, folding laundry, and preparing food can build self-efficacy for children and facilitate classroom order. We incorporate concepts from Montessori pedagogy, where independence in these skills is intertwined with academics. We will begin with a brief overview of the topic, then turn to a group discussion where we will use independence as a lens to problem-solve challenges in your own classrooms.
Core Competency: Child Growth & Development
The Importance of the Caregiver-Child Relationship for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Kimberlee Shoecraft
We will discover how relationships between children and caregivers can provide the necessary ingredients for healthy growth and development. Relationships with adult caregivers who are attuned and responsive to the child’s need for security enable a child to reach their potential. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to link babytoddler communication with what the child feels inside their body and how that feeling leads to certain behaviors. Once caregivers understand the meaning behind non-verbal communications their options for responding become more attuned with the child’s underlying emotional need, which results in improved caregiver-child interaction and wellbeing.
Core Competency: Child Growth & Development
Playful Learning with Everyday Materials
Allie Bishop
Young children learn through hands-on play! In this workshop we’ll explore how we can promote children’s playful learning with open-ended materials. Participants will think about how we create spaces and curate materials to give children choice and voice in their playful learning. Participants will engage in play and planning activities to learn actionable ways to support all areas of development, leaving with new ideas to implement in their early learning setting.
Core Competency: Curriculum & Learning Environment
Designing Your Classroom So It Reflects Your Community and the Land
Kim Bogren Owen
In this workshop, we will examine how you can create a place-based environment. Attendees will learn what placebased education is, how they can implement it in their classrooms and programs, and will leave with materials and a plan to implement place-based education.
Core Competency: Curriculum & Learning Environment
Play and Children’s Development: Exploration of the Teacher’s Role in Supporting Children’s Play
Dr. Jennifer Karshna
In this workshop participants will explore play as it relates to children’s learning and development. Through discussion and playful engagement participants will consider types of play and challenges some children face during play. Discussion will include the teacher’s role in and strategies for supporting play and learning, including consideration of behavior and social/emotional development.
Core Competency: Curriculum & Learning Environment
Cómo promover el desarrollo y aprendizaje a través del juego: herramientas prácticas y efectivas
Carolina Olza-Kelsh
Los asistentes adquirirán herramientas prácticas para promover el desarrollo y el aprendizaje infantil a través del juego. La sesión se llevará a cabo en un salón de clases preescolar, donde los participantes tendrán una experiencia táctil y práctica, con dinámicas que podrán implementarse fácilmente en entornos educativos y familiares para fortalecer el aprendizaje. Exploraremos diversos tipos de juegos y actividades que estimulan habilidades cognitivas, emocionales y sociales, adaptables a diferentes edades, habilidades y contextos.
Core Competency: Child Growth & Development
Afternoon Workshops (1 - 4 pm)
Flip It (Abridged)
Urvasi Graham & Jamie Ashton
FLIP IT® is a strategy that offers a simple, kind, strength-based, commonsense and effective four-step process for day-to-day challenges and challenging moments with children. This abridged training teaches participants the four supportive steps of FLIP IT that are designed to help young children (ages 3-8) learn about their feelings, gain self-control, and reduce challenging behavior. The purpose of this training is to enhance our understanding of the factors that contribute to children’s use of challenging behavior and review this evidence-based and practical strategy for reducing instances of challenging behavior.
Core Competency: Interactions
Stitching Success: Building Our ECE Program Together
Deb Walrath
This workshop uses quilting as a creative metaphor to explore and strengthen any Early Childhood Program. Through interactive exercises, participants will collaborate, reflect, and develop a shared understanding of program priorities. Content considers program essentials, including the learning environment, interactions, curriculum, and materials; external expectations from licensing, agency policies, core competencies, families, and community; and our individual influence.
Core Competency: Professional Development Leadership
Early Afternoon Workshops (1.5 hours): 1-2:30 p.m.
Using Music to Enhance Learning in Early Childhood
Audrey Schwind
Music can be a powerful and joyful tool to support young children’s learning and development. In this interactive session, educators will explore how to use music to ease transitions, support classroom management, and enrich daily routines. Participants will gain practical tools and experience songs and chants they can immediately bring into their classrooms to create a musically rich, positive learning environment — no musical “talent” required! The session also includes ideas for engaging parents and caregivers in musical play at home, helping strengthen the home-school connection and extend learning beyond the classroom. Join us for a joyful, playful experience!
Core Competency: Curriculum & Learning Environment
Social & Emotional Learning: The Role of Books and Stories
Thom Barthelmess
Children with healthy social and emotional development are happier people and better citizens. Learn about the principles of social and emotional learning, how to evaluate books with social and emotional content, and how to employ books and stories to support social and emotional growth.
Core Competency: Child Growth & Development
Playful Learning in Action
Allie Bishop, Mary Melloh, Ashley Reynoso, Ryleigh Stover
In this 90-minute session, participants will explore playful learning invitations in a preschool classroom setting. Playing together in the Whatcom Family Cooperative Preschool classroom on the WCC campus, participants get to move playful learning theory into action. Participants will play, dialogue, and connect over how we create welcoming and playful spaces that truly engage children in playful learning! This session will expand on the morning session, Playful Learning with Everyday Materials, moving the "why" into the "how." Participants are not required to attend both sessions.
Core Competency: Curriculum & Learning Environment
The Science of Interoception: Supporting Self-Regulation and Emotional Well-Being in Early Learning Environments
Ira Glovinsky, PhD & Frances Poteet, PhD
During this interactive presentation, we will explore the research behind interoceptive awareness — our ability to recognize and interpret internal body signals — and examine how early life experiences with touch influence educators’ own interoceptive development. Participants will engage in reflective discussions about the children in their care, the challenges they face in early learning settings, and how interoception plays a key role in emotional regulation and overall well-being. Through guided exercises, attendees will learn practical tools for tuning into their own bodily signals to enhance self-regulation, create calmer classroom environments, and promote positive mental health. The session will also provide strategies to help young children develop awareness of their own internal cues and understand how to respond to them in healthy ways.
Core Competency: Interactions
Honoring the Culture: Cultures’ Influence on Development
Kim Bogren Owen
In this workshop, we examine how culture impacts child development and learning. We will examine cultural differences in development and explore strategies for working with families from diverse backgrounds in a manner that respects and honors the diverse approaches to supporting young children’s development and learning.
Core Competency: Child Growth & Development
Beyond Words: Strategies for Supporting Linguistically Diverse Families
Elsie De La Rosa & Jacque Rafferty
This workshop provides practical tools and strategies for supporting multilingual children and families. Participants will explore effective ways to strengthen family engagement, classroom-ready strategies, and valuable resources to support growth and success in linguistically diverse communities.
Core Competency: Family & Community Partnerships
Tendiendo Puentes: Estrategias de apoyo a las familias lingüísticamente diversas
Elsie De La Rosa & Jacque Rafferty
Esta sesión ofrece herramientas y estrategias prácticas para apoyar niños y familias multilingües. Los participantes explorarán maneras efectivas de fortalecer la participación familiar, promover estrategias en la clase y acceder a recursos valiosos que favorezcan el crecimiento y el éxito en comunidades lingüísticamente diversas.
Core Competency: Family & Community Partnerships
Late Afternoon Workshops (1.5 hours): 2:45-4:15 p.m.
The Science of Interoception: Supporting Self-Regulation and Emotional Well-Being in Early Learning Environments
Ira Glovinsky, PhD & Frances Poteet, PhD
During this interactive presentation, we will explore the research behind interoceptive awareness — our ability to recognize and interpret internal body signals — and examine how early life experiences with touch influence educators’ own interoceptive development. Participants will engage in reflective discussions about the children in their care, the challenges they face in early learning settings, and how interoception plays a key role in emotional regulation and overall well-being. Through guided exercises, attendees will learn practical tools for tuning into their own bodily signals to enhance self-regulation, create calmer classroom environments, and promote positive mental health. The session will also provide strategies to help young children develop awareness of their own internal cues and understand how to respond to them in healthy ways.
Core Competency: Interactions
Using Music to Enhance Learning in Early Childhood
Audrey Schwind
Music can be a powerful and joyful tool to support young children’s learning and development. In this interactive session, educators will explore how to use music to ease transitions, support classroom management, and enrich daily routines. Participants will gain practical tools and experience songs and chants they can immediately bring into their classrooms to create a musically rich, positive learning environment — no musical “talent” required! The session also includes ideas for engaging parents and caregivers in musical play at home, helping strengthen the home-school connection and extend learning beyond the classroom. Join us for a joyful, playful experience!
Core Competency: Curriculum & Learning Environment
Fear No Number: Overcoming Teacher Math Trauma
Catherine Conway, Samantha Dolan, Annie Garrett, Carol Jack, Matt McKenzie
Did you know that math is the top academic barrier to completion of associate degrees nationwide? Math anxiety/ trauma has prevented too many early childhood educators from achieving their personal and professional goals. When teachers lack a strong math identity, this is reflected in their teaching practice, indirectly impacting early learners. In this session, we will raise awareness around teacher math identity, the indirect impact on early learners, and strategies teachers can use to grow their confidence and skills.
Core Competency: Interactions
Family Engagement Strategies to Strengthen School-Home Relationships and Support Social-Emotional Learning
Michelle Malone
This session will empower early childhood educators to cultivate strong school-home relationships that foster socialemotional learning (SEL) for students and families. We will explore actionable strategies for building trust with families, moving beyond traditional communication to genuine partnership. The session will guide participants in clarifying their school’s SEL goals and strategies, tailoring them to the unique strengths and needs of their early learning community. Educators will learn effective communication techniques to share these strategies with families, ensuring consistent support for children’s social-emotional development and well-being at school and home. Participants will also have the opportunity to share successful family engagement practices from their own centers and schools.
Core Competency: Family & Community Partnerships
Infant Brain Development
Darcie Donegan
This workshop will explore how the brain develops during infancy and toddlerhood, and what this means for caregivers. We will explore Zero to Three’s Brain Map, play the brain architecture game, and share brain-building tips. This session is appropriate for those new to infant care as well as more experienced caregivers.
Core Competency: Child Growth & Development
La Familia Latina y Acceso a Servicios Sociales
Monica Blaine
Esta presentación se centra en fortalecer la competencia cultural en la prestación de servicios a la comunidad. Los participantes comprenderán como los valores culturales y los factores de estrés social influyen en el acceso a la información y apoyo. La presentación describe enfoques prácticos basados en fortalezas y técnicas estratégicas de comunicación para conectar con las familias y facilitar su acceso a servicios.
Core Competency: Family & Community Partnerships
Presenters
Jamie Ashton
Before joining Child Care Aware of Northwest Washington at Opportunity Council in the Spring of 2014, Jamie spent more than 20 years as a teacher and administrator in early learning programs and schools in Whatcom County, leading one program through NAEYC Accreditation. She is passionate about supporting teachers and administrators to be reflective learners and is committed to furthering the early childhood education field. As a coach and state-approved trainer, Jamie focuses much of her work on supporting programs to implement effective social-emotional learning strategies in classrooms.
Thom Barthelmess
Thom Barthelmess is the Youth Services Manager at the Whatcom County Library System and has been bringing children and books together for over 30 years. He is a Past-President of the Association for Library Service to Children, the nation’s largest organization for children’s librarians. He has served as Chair of the Newbery Award Committee, the world’s oldest and most prestigious literary award for children, as well as the Chair of the Boston Globe Horn Book Award Jury and the Washington State Book Award for Young People’s Literature. He taught at the Graduate School for Library and Information Science at Dominican University where he was the inaugural Curator of the Butler Children’s Literature Center. He has lectured internationally about the role of books and stories in rich, full, curious, lives.
Ian Becker
Dr. Ian Becker received his Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Virginia. He is currently teaching in a Montessori early childhood mixed-age classroom, where he has been for the past three years, as well as teaching as an adjunct in the Montessori Ed.D. program at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. Becker has specialized his work and research in Montessori early childhood education, with deep knowledge of this unique educational philosophy and the ways in which it relates to child development.
Allie Bishop
Allie Bishop is the ProfessionalDevelopment Coordinator for Child Care Aware of NW Washington (Opportunity Council) and Parenting Education Adjunct Faculty at Whatcom Community College. She has spent her career in early childhood promoting playful caregiving in a variety of settings, supporting children, teachers, and parents.
Monica Blaine
Monica Blaine es originaria de Chile, ha vivido en Estados Unidos por 22 años. Obtuvo su grado de B.A. en Psicología y Consejería de Morningside College - Iowa. Posteriormente continuó sus estudios en la escuela de graduados, obteniendo su Maestría en Trabajo Social de Boston University - Massachusetts. Ha trabajado en centros de adicciones, mayormente con clientes de la comunidad hispana, además de proveer servicios de terapia (menores de edad, adultos y familias), ha sido manejadora de casos, instructora en Pacific University (Oregon) por dos años académicos enseñando Latino Families and Culture a estudiantes de la carrera de maestría en trabajo social, además de supervisora de estudiantes practicantes. En la actualidad se desempeña como coordinadora bilingüe de cuidado comunitario en Opportunity Council. Su trabajo ha estado siempre enfocado en trabajar con su comunidad desde un punto de vista bicultural y buscar recursos y soluciones que puedan facilitar el acceso a servicios.
Kim Bogren Owen
Kim Bogren Owen holds a BA in Cultural Anthropology and an MA in Early Childhood
Education. She currently works at Northwest Indian College and is a part-time ECE instructor. She brings her knowledge and experience to the training she offers. In her spare time, she enjoys beachcombing, hiking, and spending time with her family.
Catherine Conway
Catherine Conway is a part-time math faculty at North Seattle College and an associate math faculty/Math Center Coordinator at Edmonds College. She was a member of the Curriculum Committee at North and a former scholarship reviewer for both NSC and EDC. Catherine’s dedication to education goes beyond just math; it extends to fostering a love for math and alleviating anxiety in her students. She began her career as a high school math teacher in Baltimore County before pursuing a career in higher ed. She earned her AA from Wenatchee Valley College, BA of Mathematics and Secondary Education from SUNY Potsdam and her MS in Mathematics Education from Towson University. Beyond her love for math, she cherishes her family and enjoys crocheting and volunteering in her community.
Elsie De La Rosa
Elsie tiene más de 10 años de experiencia como maestra y cuidadora de niños particularmente con las edades 0-5 años en guardería en casa, centros, y como niñera. Ha ganado su licenciatura en los estudios de aprendizaje temprano y familias en la Universidad de Washington. Le encanta trabajar con niños, familias, y otras proveedoras de cuidado de niños. Es su trabajo como enlace comunitario de Early Achievers por 3 años, ha trabajado uno a uno con educadores y proveedores de aprendizaje temprano. ¡Espero verlos en la sesión para aprender más sobre estrategias prácticas para apoyar niños y familias multilingües!
Samantha Dolan
Samantha Dolan is interim Associate Dean of Education and Human Services at North Seattle College and a liaison for early learning for the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). She has served as full-time faculty and the Director of Early Childhood Initiatives prior to this role. She earned her Ph.D. in Early Childhood Special Education at the University of Washington.
Darcie Donegan
Darcie Donegan has been teaching ECE/ED at Whatcom Community College for 30 years and has an MA in Human Development/ ECE/Adult Ed from Pacific Oaks College. She has been a teacher of infants through kindergarteners, center director, consultant, parent educator, and international trainer. Darcie is also on the WCEL Board and teaches preschool at the local synagogue. Infants and brain development are her passion.
Jack Eiford
Jack Eiford received his master’s from Loyola University and his Montessori Early Childhood teaching credential from Montessori Northwest. He has taught in a Montessori early childhood mixed-age classroom for five years and it is now his third year teaching in mixed-age lower elementary classrooms serving 1st-3rd grade students. Eiford has worked on integrating Montessori tenets with a variety of different topics, such as theater and digital technologies, and in different settings, such as summer camps.
Annie Garrett
Annie Garrett is an educational leadership professional with over fifteen years of experience in university, community college, and nonprofit settings. She currently serves as a manager and adjunct faculty member in Early Childhood Education at North Seattle College. She is also a freelance writer and presenter with a focus on parent education, early childhood education, and advocacy. She holds a master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington.
Ira Glovinsky
Ira Glovinsky is a fully licensed psychologist practicing in West Bloomfield, Michigan. He is a mental health practitioner who educates and trains F.I.R.S.T. Clinic parent allies about interoception. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1977 with a Ph.D. in Special Education and taught for five years in the New York City school system working with emotionally impaired children and then for five years in a children’s psychiatric hospital helping develop a clinical program for preschoolers with emotional difficulties. He then coordinated an NICU follow-up program for high-risk infants at Sinai Hospital in Detroit. Since 2007 he has been part of the Interdisciplinary Council for Developmental and Learning Disorders, co-leading the program when it merged with Fielding Graduate University. He has written two books on pediatric mood disorders with Dr. Stanley Greenspan. He also is currently an adjunct faculty member at Brooklyn College and at Fielding Graduate University.
Urvasi Graham
Urvasi Graham earned a BA in BioSocioCultural Anthropology focusing on the evolution of parenting and child rearing across time and space, and an MS in ECE focusing on ITMH, as well as an IMH-E (II). She is an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant (Holding Hope) and an instructor of ECE at Skagit Valley College and Western Washington University, teaching foundations in ECE, infant and toddler care, health, nutrition, and safety in ECE, exceptional child, and more. She completed the Train the Trainer Flip It with the author and has run 3 Flip It sessions. She is a STARs approved Trainer.
Michael Haycock
Michael Haycock has a master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education and has been working as an early learning instructor for over a decade. He is the Artistic Director at the Upfront Theater and is a professional improv comedian. He loves to share his passion of play with others!
Jeanne Holdal
Jeanne has worked as an Early Learning Coach and STARS Trainer for CCA Northwest from 20212025. Before this, she worked with families and children ages 0-14 for over 30 years holding many positions in a variety of early learning and public-school settings, including Head Start and ECEAP. Jeanne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Hawai’i Hilo and a Master of Education in Adult and Higher Ed from Western Washington University. She has continued her learning throughout her career, adding courses in child development and family services through Skagit Valley College and Edmonds Community College, and teaches part time in the ECE department at Skagit Valley College. Jeanne finds peace in the natural environment and loves bringing it into her classrooms to enhance learning, exploration and relationships. Jeanne enjoys gardening, building outdoor art and sitting outside by the fire throughout the year.
Carol Jack
Carol Jack became a valued member of the Child Care Aware of WA team in November 2022, assuming the role of Scholarships Program Manager. Her dedication lies in harnessing the power of team collaboration to ensure equitable support for students on their journey towards higher education. Holding a Master of Science degree in Organizational Management from Capella University, Carol brings a wealth of academic and professional experience to her position.
Jennifer Karshna
Dr. Jennifer Karshna currently works at Tacoma Community College as Early Childhood Education Program Chair and Professor. Past work experiences include teaching young children at a variety of early learning programs including full day childcare, Head Start, preschool, and the childcare center at an in-patient drug/alcohol treatment center. Jennifer has also done on-site coaching and training at early learning programs. Her doctorate dissertation topic was early childhood education teacher experience and knowledge regarding children’s outdoor learning experiences.
Michelle Malone
Michelle Malone is a Parenting Education instructor at Whatcom Community College and Bellingham Technical College. She loves working with families and teachers in cooperative preschools and facilitating parent/child classes for toddlers and their families. She believes that building trusting relationships between schools and families helps children thrive and looks forward to sharing ideas with and learning from participants in this collaborative session.
Matt McKenzie
Matt McKenzie is an experienced educator, administrator, and teacher trainer – supporting the growth and development of both young children and adult learners. He is the Director of PRLC Preschool in the Greenwood neighborhood of North Seattle. As a graduate of the Bachelor of Applied Science in
Early Childhood Education program at North Seattle College, Matt also supports the program in several ways, including as an advisory board member and consultant. Matt is passionate about creating systems to ensure every child gets the best start in life and is equipped with the skills and tools they need to thrive.
Mary Melloh
Mary Melloh is the lead teacher in the Whatcom Family Cooperative Preschool WCC Classroom. She completed her Early Childhood teaching certification at the Montessori Institute of the Pacific Northwest and spent 10 years teaching in a Montessori Early Childhood classroom. She has facilitated toddler programs for the Whatcom Center for Early Learning and has three children of her own.
Carolina Olza-Kelsh
Carolina Olza-Kelsh ejerce desde 2008 en Whatcom Community College, donde imparte educación para padres y coordina salones prescolares cooperativos. Es profesora asociada en el programa de Educación Temprana en Skagit Valley College. Carolina cuenta con una maestría en Estudios de la Primera Infancia. Carolina Olza-Kelsh has been an instructor in parenting education and facilitator of cooperative preschools at Whatcom Community College since 2008. She serves as an associate faculty member in the Early Childhood Education program at Skagit Valley College. Carolina holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Studies.
Frances Poteet
Frances Poteet, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is a post-doctoral fellow at the UMass Chan School of Medicine. She obtained her Ph.D. in Infant & Early Childhood Development, with an emphasis on Infant Mental Health & Developmental Disorders, at Fielding Graduate University, her M.A. at West Chester University, M.S.S. (Social Services) at Bryn Mawr College, and B.S. at Chestnut Hill College. Frances has lectured on trauma, development, and interoception at Eastern Michigan University, Douglas College (BC), and University of Pretoria (SA). She has expertise providing bilingual/ bicultural clinical services in therapeutic schools and outpatient clinics for children ages birth-21 years old. She works on NIH-funded research studying infant and maternal mental health, perinatal psychiatry and autism.
Jacque Rafferty
Jacque began working in the field of Early Childhood Education in 2006. She has worked with a variety of ages, from infants to school-age children and in a variety of settings. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.Ed. in Early Childhood
Education. Serving as a Community Liaison for Early Achievers for over 10 years has allowed her to build relationships with numerous members of our ECE community. She has been a foster parent and currently has 3 children at home that keep her very busy!
Ashley Reynoso
Ashley Reynoso is the assistant teacher in the Whatcom Family Cooperative Preschool WCC Classroom. She has taught in the US and abroad. She enjoys inspiring students to follow their curiosities, creativity, and to foster a love of learning.
Audrey Schwind
Audrey Schwind is passionate about sharing the joy of music with children and families. A skilled Music Together® teacher, early childhood educator, and lifelong vocalist, Audrey holds a dual degree in Elementary Education and Spanish from Western Washington University and a Master of Science in Kinesiology from Boise State University. She completed her Music Together teacher training in 2020 and founded Music Together North End in Boise, Idaho, a thriving center known for its quality and community engagement. After moving to Bellingham in 2024, she launched Music Together Fairhaven, which was voted Cascade’s Best Preschool Program in its first year and featured in Southside Living magazine. Today, Music Together Fairhaven serves more than 80 families each week. Audrey brings warmth, energy, and expertise to her work, inspiring families to make joyful music together.
Kimberlee Shoecraft
Kimberlee Shoecraft has a master’s degree in social work and is a certified infant and toddler mental health clinical mentor. She has been working in the field of infant mental health for over 20 years.
Ryleigh Stover
Ryleigh Stover is the lead teacher in the Whatcom Family Cooperative Preschool classroom at Wade King Elementary school. She studied psychology with an ECE certificate. She believes in creating a supportive and engaging environment where children feel safe to explore, learn, and grow at their own pace.
Deb Walrath
Deb Walrath is a lifelong learner with over 40 years of experience in early childhood programs. She has taught in primary public schools, directed private preschools, provided in-home care, and managed ECEAP programs. She has also provided coaching for Early Achievers and is now enjoying a change of pace as an assistant teacher in a local cooperative preschool. Deb finds joy in quilting, trying a variety of other crafts, and singing in her car.
Julie Wasilewski
Julie has worked at Child Care Aware of NW Washington, a program of the Opportunity Council, for the past 19 years and has been an EA Coach, Lead, Professional Development Manager, and currently the Family, Friends and Neighbors Manager and Trainer for the NW Region. Julie also is an adjunct ECE instructor at Whatcom Community College and Skagit Valley College. Julie has her master’s in early childhood education.