Evening with the Experts
Join us monthly for an interactive webinar from 6:30-7:30 PM to discuss relevant topics with experts in the field! These sessions are eligible for 1 training hour.
Schedule Overview:
January 6: Challenging Behaviors
Cindy Bruni-West River Mental Health & Carole Foster-ECC
February 3: “Specials” Art, Music and PE in the ECE Environment
Breon Derby-BHSU & Krista Caldwell-ECCMarch 3: Importance of Social Emotional Learning
Anne Meeker Watson-Sing, Play, Love & Kayla Herbener-ECC
April 7: Professionalism in Early Childhood
Dr. Rudia Kihura & Rose Ludeman-ECC
May 5: Developmentally Appropriate Practices
Sydney Haugland-BHSU and Jessi Beedle-ECCJune 2: Program Management
Andrea Neff-DSS & Ashleigh Young-ECC
January 6: Challenging Behaviors
6:30-7:30 PM | Online
Challenging behaviors are prevalent in all early childhood classrooms. In this session, our experts Cindy Bruni from West River Mental Health and Carole Foster from ECC will look at proven preventative measures and successful intervention strategies. They will also discuss the exponential increase in behaviors since COVID, what science and their own experience in the field tells them could be the cause, and what role do early childhood educators play in the solution.
You are encouraged to pre-submit any questions or scenarios that you would like advice from the experts on!
Expert: Cindy Bruni MS
Cindy Bruni is a Clinician in the Family Pathways Program at West River Mental Health in Rapid City, South Dakota. Cindy is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She received her BA in Psychology from Missouri Southern State University in 1992 and her MS in Clinical Psychology from Abilene Christian University in 1995.
Cindy has conducted research studying the correlation between behavioral disorders and mental health diagnoses in female adolescents. Cindy’s post-master’s experience has included supervising a Therapeutic Nursery Day Treatment Program for children ages two to eight; providing individual, family, and group therapy for children, ages 0 to 18, and their parents; and mentoring incarcerated juveniles. Her current position primarily focuses on behavior difficulties and trauma in ages 3 to 18, including work with neurodiverse children.
February 3: “Specials” Art, Music and PE in the ECE Environment
6:30-7:30 PM | Online
The “Specials” in education, Music, Physical Education and Art are often viewed as supplementary but are just as important and impactful learning opportunities as the traditional disciplines. In this interactive webinar, our experts Dr. Breon Derby from BHSU and Krista Caldwell from ECC will look at the importance of implementing these disciplines with intention and fidelity in ECE environments. They will discuss the importance and life-long effects each area has on a child’s development and what the early childhood educator’s role in this should be. Lack of ECE teacher training and confidence within these disciplines leads to the likelihood of these being taught less often in the early years.
Expert: Dr. Breon Derby
Dr. Breon Derby is a Spearfish native and alumni of Black Hills State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with minors in health and coaching. After graduation, she taught high school physical education and health education at Lead-Deadwood High School. She earned a Master of Education with emphasis in Physical Education degree from Chadron State College and then took a position in their HPER department. She always dreamed of teaching with her mentor, Dr. Betsy Silva, and that came true when she took a position in the Physical Education Department at BHSU in the fall of 2014. She completed her Doctorate in Health Education in May 2017 and her research interests revolve around wellness.
While at BHSU, she has taught a variety of undergraduate health and physical education courses. Her goal is to create a positive classroom environment where students are comfortable being authentic. In addition to leaving her classroom with more knowledge, she hopes students are empowered to become better people.
She believes in living her life in balance. She enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband and daughters, and attributes her passion for the field of education to her parents, who taught for over a combined 70 years! She is very grateful to have two amazing, supportive, loving parents as personal and professional role models. She loves being active, including running and golfing. She also loves to travel and create memories. She hopes to have a long career at BHSU so she can give back to the students, campus, and community who have given so much to her.
March 3: Importance of Social Emotional Learning
6:30-7:30 PM | Online
Intentional and explicit social and emotional learning opportunities in early childhood have lifelong effects. Dr. Anne Meeker Watson from Sing, Play, Love and Kayla Herbener from ECC will discuss the science behind the importance of teaching social emotional skills in early childhood. They will also provide techniques, tips and tricks of the trade when implementing throughout your day.
Expert: Anne Meeker Watson, Ph.D., MT-BC - Sing, Play, Love
Dr. Anne Meeker Watson is the founder of the SING.PLAY.LOVE. program. Through her writing, product development, and workshops, she shares information about the benefits of music and play to support early learning and kindergarten readiness and gives easy and practical strategies for embedding both into the daily lives of young children. Her program is being used all over the country and across the globe, most recently making its debut in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Anne has taught music to students from preschool through college levels. She received the Excellence in Teaching award given by the Learning Exchange, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, and the Kansas City Star. She was a commission member of the Vision 2020 Housewright Symposium on the Future of Music Education sponsored by the Music Educators National Conference.
Anne’s specific research interest is the use of music for helping with the social-emotional and communication skills of young children. She was invited to share her work on social-emotional development at the National Training Institute Addressing Young Children with Challenging Behaviors. Her research on music to support early language was published in the International Journal for Research in Music Education. She is the author of the popular Baby Sing & Sign book series (Perseus Books Group) and SING & SIGN for Young Children: A Guide for Early Childhood Professionals (Brookes Publishing, 2021).
She is a frequent trainer and presenter across the country, including conference presentations for the National Center for Parents as Teachers, National Head Start Association, Division of Early Childhood, Zero to Three, NAEYC Institute, the National Association for Music Education, and the American Music Therapy Association.
Her music for children earned National Association of Parenting Publications and Parent’s Choice Honors awards.
April 7: Professionalism in Early Childhood
6:30-7:30 PM | Online
Early childhood educators have long struggled with the public’s viewpoint of their profession as a career. As a result, there is an extreme lack of professionalism in the field. If outside stakeholders don’t hold the career in high regard, it can be very difficult to convince ECE teachers to do so. Dr. Rudia Kihura from BHSU and Rose Ludeman from Early Childhood Connections will discuss how early childhood educators can take back their power by owning their career and advocating that their community, state, and nation value them for their worth.
Expert: Dr. Rudia Kihura
Dr. Kihura is an Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology & Early Childhood in School of Education. She was born and raised in Kenya, East Africa. She attended Egerton University, Kenya Technical Teachers College, and Kenyatta University in Kenya.
Dr. Kihura taught grades 9-12 in Kituro High School, Alliance Girls High School, and St’ Annes Girls High School-Kiriari in Kenya. Later, Dr. Rudia W. Kihura moved to Iowa City, IA and completed graduate studies in Special Education at The University of Iowa. Previously Dr. Kihura served as an Advisor, International Health, Safety & Security and a Senior Advisor, International Student and Scholar Services at The University of Iowa.
Her research interest areas: student dropout, inclusive education, emotional/behavioral disorders-positive behavior supports, learning disabilities, teacher preparation in special education, trauma, and multiculturalism in special education (among teachers and exceptional children).
May 5: Developmentally Appropriate Practices
6:30-7:30 PM | Online
Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Education has gone through waves of transformation over the years. Dr. Sydney Haugland from BHSU and Jessi Beedle from Early Childhood Connections will discuss the role that early childhood educators play in implementing these practices in the early learning environment.
Expert: Sydney Haugland - BHSU
Dr. Sydney Haugland is originally from Houston, Texas, and moved to Spearfish, South Dakota during middle school. After finishing high school in Spearfish, she completed her undergraduate degree in Creative Advertising and Elementary Education at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. With a desire to live in the Midwest and closer to family, she began teaching in the Cherry Creek School District in Denver, Colorado, while earning an M.Ed. with an emphasis in Special Education from Regis University and Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Gifted and Talented from the University of Denver.
From 2006-2016, she was an Elementary Education teacher in grades 2nd-5th and supported learners K-5 as a Special Education teacher. In 2016, she relocated back to Spearfish and taught 4th grade for two years while directing the afterschool Gifted and Talented Enrichment Program. In 2018, she took the opportunity to work with preservice teachers pursuing their elementary education degrees at BHSU. “Learning and growing with our preservice teachers is fulfilling and meaningful work. I really enjoy supporting them along their journey in the field of education.”
Dr. Haugland teaches a variety of undergraduate courses for the School of Education and continuing education for practicing teachers, specializing in literacy, instruction and differentiation, assessment, coaching, and teacher wellness. She also serves on several School of Education and BHSU committees and volunteers in local classrooms. Her research interests include professional development for practicing teachers, literacy, and pre-service teacher preparation.
Dr. Haugland lives in Spearfish with her husband and three children. Together, they enjoy camping, listening to music, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
June 2: Program Management
6:30-7:30 PM | Online
Staffing in Early Childhood Education is a real issue that provides extreme ramifications in the program management aspect. Andrea Neff from DSS and Ashleigh Young from Early Childhood Connections will discuss the complexities that are involved in this issue, what administration can do as preventative measures and what early childhood educators should do to cope with the stress of staffing issues that falls on themselves and their classroom. You are encouraged to pre-submit any questions or scenarios that you would like advice from the experts on! Email rludeman@earlychildhoodconnections.com to submit your questions.
Expert: Andrea Neff-DSS
Andrea Neff is a Child Care Licensing Specialist with the Department of Social Services, Office of Licensing & Accreditation. Andrea moved from a small town called Lake City, FL to Rapid City, SD, seven and half years ago, trading the sun and sand for snow and hills.
With a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education Andrea has spent over twenty years in the field, holding numerous roles across the Early Childhood Education profession. Her diverse experience includes roles as an infant/toddler and preschool teacher, founding and directing a Preschool & Daycare in Florida, and coaching, mentoring and training in early childhood education.
Andrea is passionate about building connections and fostering community with the directors, providers and programs she collaborates with daily. Her goal is to create a positive and supportive experience through her licensing work.