Birth To Three Institute 2022

Learn more aboutAnnette Dieker Annette Dieker

Annette Dieker

Family

Region X Training & Technical Assistance/ICF

Annette Dieker brings more than 35 years of experience in the field of early care and education, with extensive background and diverse experiences in the fields of education, early learning, public health, family engagement, systems development and program management. In addition to working directly in Head Start/ Early Head Start programs, her experience includes leading systems development efforts; providing training and technical assistance; and serving as a subject matter expert on Early Learning, Home Visiting and Family Engagement. Ms. Dieker has previously served as an Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) with the Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Office of Washington, as well as the Early Head Start Specialist with the Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program in Oregon. Prior to joining the Region 10 TTA team, Annette directed the work the Early Learning Hub of Clackamas County, which included extensive collaboration between complex systems and partnerships with cross-sector stakeholders, including state, federal and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and school systems. Ms. Dieker holds a Masters Degree in Human Development with Specializations in Leadership In Education and Bicultural Development, and served as a National Head Start Fellow.

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Family

Region X Training & Technical Assistance/ICF

Learn more aboutJen Ross, M.Ed. Jen Ross, M.Ed.

Jen Ross, M.Ed.

Early Childhood Specialist

Region X Training & Technical Assistance/ICF

Jennifer Ross brings over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood to the R10 TTA Team. Most recently, she was a Site Supervisor and Education Specialist for Spokane Falls Community College Head Start. She has provided coaching for teachers to support quality early childhood environments, has experience as a CLASS observer, has been a State approved trainer for Idaho and Washington, and has provided technical assistance to rural early childhood programs for Child Care Resource & Referral. Jennifer currently lives in Spokane WA.

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Early Childhood Specialist

Region X Training & Technical Assistance/ICF

Learn more aboutSabian Pleasant Sabian Pleasant

Sabian Pleasant

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PleasantMovement/Multicultural Family Hope Center

Sabian was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. Through time, Sabian has been privileged to teach and choreograph dance all throughout the city of Jackson, Mississippi. In 2001, Sabian moved to Tacoma, WA and instantly began to teach and dance for Metropolitan Ballet of Tacoma for 10 years, under the direction of Damaris Caughlan. There he participated in performances such as “Celebrate his Birth”, “Those Who Trespass”, “Dance Me to the End of Love”, and many more. Sabian is now the Executive Director of his very own Dance Company called PleasantMovement. Although things have been quiet (due to Covid) Sabian has never stopped. In 2013, Sabian began working for Multicultural Child & Family Hope Center & Arts Impact. He INSTANTLY developed a lifelong relationship with not just the kids but staff as well. "I am excited to give a little bit of myself to our future through the Arts here in Washington State & afar!"

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PleasantMovement/Multicultural Family Hope Center

Learn more aboutDr. Michelle Homer Anderson Dr. Michelle Homer Anderson

Dr. Michelle Homer Anderson

Region 10 Health Specialist

Region X Training & Technical Assistance (ICF)

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Region 10 Health Specialist

Region X Training & Technical Assistance (ICF)

Learn more aboutAmy Lomanto Amy Lomanto

Amy Lomanto

Region 10 Early Childhood Specialist

Region X Training & Technical Assistance (ICF)

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Region 10 Early Childhood Specialist

Region X Training & Technical Assistance (ICF)

Learn more aboutKristin Van Marter Souers Kristin Van Marter Souers

Kristin Van Marter Souers

Licensed mental health counselor

Ffostering Resilient Learners

For over threedecades, Kristin Van Marter Souers, MA LMHC,has dedicated herself to the improvement of people’s lives. As a licensed mental health counselor witha history of working in the fields of early learning, law enforcement, education, and mental health, she has been able to develop an extensive knowledgebase. As an independent consultant, Kristin now provides critical professional development, consultation, education, and training services to schools, school districts, and organizations throughout the country. She has presented to thousandsof audiences, facilitated group learning, supervised internships, directed programs, been an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University in their Masters in Counseling Program, and supported the learning and growth of countless educators, caregiving professionals, and other individuals.The award-winning publication,Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies for creating a trauma-sensitive classroom environment (ASCD, 2016) and “Relationship, Responsibility, and Regulation: Trauma-Invested Practices for Fostering Resilient Learners,”(December 2018). She has written many articles published in education journals, her most recent “Trauma is a Word—Not a Sentence.”(October 2020). These publications have strengthened Kristin’s impact in education. Learn more about Kristin’s work, view her upcoming speaking engagements, obtain a quote for services, and more at www.FosteringResilientLearners.org. Connect with Kristin on Twitter at @KristinKSouers and email her at kristinsouers@gmail.com.

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Licensed mental health counselor

Ffostering Resilient Learners

Learn more aboutDeborah McNelis Deborah McNelis

Deborah McNelis

International Speaker & Author

Brain Insights

Deborah McNelis, M.Ed is an author, speaker and creator of Neuro-Nurturing®. As an Early Brain Development Specialist and founder of Brain Insights LLC, she has developed the unique Neuro-Nurturing Interaction Packets and the digital Brain Basics Quick Start Guide: Nurture the Brilliance within Children . She has also published Transitions and Balanced Stimulation development packets in collaboration with Redleaf Press. She has been seen in publications, heard on radio interviews and webinars worldwide and receives rave reviews for her engaging and insightful presentations and keynotes for communities, schools, organizations and companies. Her enthusiasm is said to be contagious.

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International Speaker & Author

Brain Insights

Learn more aboutRachel Nemhauser Rachel Nemhauser

Rachel Nemhauser

Community and Family Support Program Manager

The Arc of King County

Rachel has been an active member of the disability community since 2009, and is passionate about disability advocacy, and supporting families through all the joys and challenges of raising their children. She is a former two-term member of the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council, and has worked at The Arc of King County since 2015. She is currently the Community and Family Support Program Manager at The Arc, and has worked with hundreds of families as they navigate complex systems, including Special Education, to advocate for their sons and daughters. She is the founder of the Arc of King County’s IEP Parent Partner Program, and enjoys supporting parents so they can more effectively engage in their child’s education. Rachel is also the parent of a 17 year old autistic son, and feels strongly about self-determination and the importance of amplifying the voices of marginalized and underserved individuals.

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Community and Family Support Program Manager

The Arc of King County

Learn more aboutRichard Mullen Richard Mullen

Richard Mullen

Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator for African American Families

The Arc of King County

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Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator for African American Families

The Arc of King County

Learn more aboutPatricia Gonzalez Patricia Gonzalez

Patricia Gonzalez

Statewide and King County Parent to Parent Program Coordinator for Spanish-Speaking Families

The Arc of King County

Patty González is the Parent to Parent Coordinator for Spanish-speaking families at the Arc of King County, where she has advocated for the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for twelve years. She has led trainings for parents and community members on special education services, advocacy, navigating government services, and guardianship laws. Patricia has two daughters and a son. Her son was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD at a young age, which inspired her to learn how to advocate for him at school and help him succeed. She is passionate about working closely with community members to get them the resources they need. Currently, she is a member of the Special Education Advisory Council with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. She also leads the Helping Parents program, where parents are trained as mentors to parents of recently diagnosed children. Her other projects include partnering with the Odessa Brown Children’s clinic to become a Mindfulness Facilitator, and has led mindfulness sessions in Spanish and English. In her free time, she likes to traveling, learning about other cultures, and hanging out with her friends and family (socially distanced, of course).

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Statewide and King County Parent to Parent Program Coordinator for Spanish-Speaking Families

The Arc of King County