Working with Early Childhood Students, Pre-Service, and In-Service Educators In-Person in Michigan and Virtually Across the United States
How can your team better support the youngest members of your community in inclusive, engaging, and developmentally meaningful ways?
What would it look like to provide your staff and volunteers with real-world tools rooted in current classroom practice—strategies that actually work with today’s diverse children and families?
Are your programs equipped to build environments, outings, and daily interactions that welcome all children—especially those with disabilities—with empathy, intentionality, and joy?
With over a decade of experience in early childhood and special education, I offer hands-on professional development for community organizations seeking to strengthen their work with young children and families. My workshops (offered as one-time sessions or in customized series) support staff, volunteers, and leaders in building inclusive, equity-centered, and developmentally responsive programs—from classroom design and sensory-friendly environments to inclusive field trip planning, family partnerships, and everyday interactions that matter.
As both a classroom teacher and higher education faculty member, I bring a unique lens that bridges academic knowledge with lived practice. I’ve trained teachers in collaborating with families, supporting neurodivergent learners, and building spaces where every child can thrive.
Let’s collaborate to equip your team with the skills, language, and mindset to serve all children with confidence, creativity, and care—no matter the setting.
Workshop Offerings
Creating Inclusive Spaces for All
Learn how to design welcoming, sensory-friendly environments that meet the developmental needs of both neurotypical and neurodivergent young children.
Supporting Behavior, Transitions, and Belonging
Explore how adding modification, accommodations, and routines to your current offerings can enhance engagement, smooth transitions, and create safe learning spaces for all children.
Building Relationships with Your Community: Practical Strategies for Connection
Strengthen staff confidence in forming collaborative, respectful partnerships with community members—especially when discussing challenges or special needs.
Understanding Behavior Through a Developmental Lens
Gain tools to recognize the root causes of behaviors and respond in ways that support regulation and inclusion.
Supporting Neurodivergent Learners in Community Settings
Learn accessible strategies for engaging children with autism, ADHD, and other developmental differences in everyday program activities.
Designing Offerings That Work for Everyone
Build smooth, predictable, and flexible offering routines that reduce stress and increase participation for all children—especially during drop-off, transitions, and group activities.
Partnering with Schools: Inclusive Practices for Trips & Transitions
Prepare your team to support young children with IEPs or 504s during school trips, partnerships, and transitions into formal education settings.
Storytime for Every Child: Inclusive Read-Alouds and Literacy Moments
Develop strategies to make circle time, storytime, and shared reading experiences more accessible and engaging for diverse learners.
Building Developmentally Appropriate, Inclusive Programs
Explore how to create program offerings that are play-based, hands-on, and inclusive of all children’s abilities, cultures, and communication styles.
Introduction to IEPs: What Community Staff Need to Know
Demystify special education plans—what they are, how they affect programming, and how your team can align with and support them.
Don’t See What You Are Looking For?
My offerings are not limited to past presentations, let’s connect and talk about how we can work together to meet your needs!
My Training Approach
Interactive, Hands-On Learning
Trainings are designed to be engaging, participatory, and rooted in real-world application. Staff and volunteers learn by doing—whether through role-play, sensory-based activities, case study discussions, or environmental walkthroughs—so they leave with strategies they can implement right away.
Culturally Responsive and Strengths-Based
I center the lived experiences of the children, families, and staff in your program. Training content honors diverse cultural practices, family structures, and communication styles, while building on your team's existing strengths to support inclusion and equity in everyday interactions.
Collaborative & Capacity-Building
Rather than one-size-fits-all lectures, I work with your team to co-create solutions, spark dialogue, and build shared language around inclusion. Sessions often include reflection, peer-to-peer learning, and tailored coaching so your organization can sustain change long after the training ends.
