CDA Credential - Preschool, Part 9

Connie Jo Smith
EdD

Dr. Connie Jo Smith’s professional passions include exploring play, encouraging curiosity and problem solving in children and adults, designing professional development opportunities, and writing for the practitioner. Her most recent publications include “Behavioral Challenges in Early Childhood Settings” and “Growing, Growing Strong: A Whole Health Curriculum for Young Children” published by Redleaf Press. She has contributed to the early childhood field as a teacher of young children; director of for-profit and non-profit child care and Head Start programs; administrator of state and foundation programs; child care resource and referral administrator; child studies faculty member teaching undergraduate and graduate classes; instructional design graduate faculty member; instructional designer; trainer, and author. Her academic background includes an EdD in Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, an EdS in Elementary and Early Curriculum and Instruction, an MA in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Area of Concentration, and a BS in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Endorsement.

Alison Peak
LCSW

Alison D. Peak LCSW (Allied Behavioral Health Solutions, Nashville, TN) received her Master's in Social Work from the University of Michigan with an emphasis in Interpersonal Practice with Children and Youth and Infant Mental Health. Alison is the Co-chair of the AIMHiTN Endorsement Committee and a member of AIMHiTN's Leadership Cohort. Alison also has two post-graduate degrees, Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care and Pediatric Integrated Health Services. Alison is passionate about working with children with histories of early trauma, families with adopted children, and youth in DCS custody. Alison seeks to meet these children and families where they most often present for assistance, their physician's office, and to assist in collaborating with primary care providers to optimize services for children and families.    

Dena Bishop
OTR/L

Dena Bishop, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in school-based therapy for students with multiple ages and diagnoses.  She earned a BS degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh and has spent her entire career of 18 years engaging and empowering students with diverse cultures while working in schools in OH, PA, CA, HI, and FL.  She has academia experience as an adjunct professor for the OTA program at Polk State College in Winter Haven, FL and as a continuing education presenter.  Her passion for OT and growth mindset continually challenges her to excel in her field. 

Tara Warwick
MS OTR/L

Tara Warwick, MS, OTR/L, is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy in 2000 and completing her Master’s degree in rehabilitation sciences with an emphasis in pediatrics in 2005. She has spent her entire career focusing on improving the quality of services for children, primarily targeting children with autism.  She currently co-owns a pediatric therapy practice called Today’s Therapy Solutions and is a consultant for the Oklahoma Autism Center through the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center – Child Study Center. Tara’s specialties include working with children with autism and challenging behavior. She has extensive experience and expertise in behavior management, sensory processing, self-care training (potty training, eating/feeding, dressing, play, etc.), and assistive technology.  She has conducted trainings and provided consultations for schools, parents and health and child care professionals all across the state.

Clara Cappiello
BA, MA

Clara Cappiello has wide experience in the field of early childhood education, both in the USA and Latin America.  For over 19 years she managed the training and professional development function of a migrant Head Start program that served close to 5,000 children in 10 states.  She also provided leadership and direction to the agency education services and led the development and implementation of a dual-language curriculum that authentically reflected migrant farmworker families’ language and culture. 

Born and raised in Colombia and with children raised in two languages, Clara is passionate about topics related to bilingual development and cultural diversity.  She has worked as a teacher's aide, teacher, center director, early childhood education instructor, university professor, and technical assistance provider.  Clara also worked with an international foundation with whom she supported early childhood programs in Latin America, USA, and Europe.  She is a seasoned presenter and trainer and has been a speaker at Spanish radio and television shows. Clara holds a Bachelor and a Master’s degree and a Training Specialist Graduate Certificate.

Tonya R. Hayes
MEd Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Tonya Hayes is a speech-language pathology assistant at Sprout Pediatrics. She holds a Master of Education degree from the University of South Carolina as well as a Bachelor's degree in Speech Correction from Columbia College. She has served children in the public schools for over ten years, led the Parent Education and Family Literacy program, and served as an early interventionist with the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind. She has a niche serving children and families of late talkers as well as those on the Autism Spectrum. Tonya and her husband enjoy travel, mentoring newlyweds at their church, and enjoying their adult sons and daughter-in-law.

Erika Flores
BS, MEd

Erika Flores is the founder of ChildrenFlow, an organization whose mission is to empower young children’s development through evidence-based professional development to teachers, coaches, trainers, and administrators. She has over 20 years of experience in the early education field in various capacities and in different countries. Erika has brought her expertise to large statewide strategy and implementation programs, school districts, Head Start programs, non-profit organizations and to the private sector. Before founding ChildrenFlow, Erika worked at Teachstone as a Client Relations Director, at the University of Virginia as a Researcher, and at DePaul University as faculty teaching courses to graduate and undergraduate students. Erika has also taught young children in Mexico and the US. Erika earned her MEd from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her BS in Psychology from the Universidad de Monterrey.