Dr. Carol L. Russell, Professor of Early Childhood Unified at Emporia State University, has taught higher education for nearly 40 years. Russell has served on local/national committees and boards and received numerous grants/awards. She is Co-Creator and Co-Coordinator of Emporia State University’s Children Inspire Glass Project and the ESU’s Children’s Art Gallery. Russell has authored articles, chapters, and presented regionally, nationally and internationally on various topics, including: artistic creativity, inclusion, inclusive creative movement, inclusive arts, children with special needs and their families, SIBSHOPS and sibling issues of children with special needs, Nonverbal Learning Disability, ADA and accessibility, Person First Philosophy, the “Sandwich Generation”, curriculum adaptations / modifications, public policy, and advocacy.

Russell’s most recent book, Integrating Art into the Inclusive Early Childhood Curriculum, was published by Common Grounds Publishing in 2018, second edition in 2019. Other books include: Sandwiched! Tales, Tips, and Tools to Balance Life in the Sandwich Generation; co-authored a children’s book, I Like Rocks! and a chapter entitled Understanding Nonverbal Learning Disorders in Post-Secondary Students with Spina Bifida, chapter in Medical and Educational Perspectives on Nonverbal Learning Disability in Children and Young Adults, edited by Dr. Barbara Rissman, published by IGI Global Publishing. She also authored and co-authored several chapters in, Richey & Wheeler (2000). Inclusive early childhood education. New York: Delmar / Thomson Learning.

Nicole "Nikki" Meier loves learning and enjoys helping others love it too. This is her 10th year at Farley Elementary School in Topeka, KS and her 18th year teaching. She has primarily taught kindergarten, with a couple years leading a K-5 after school program and is currently teaching 1st grade. Mrs. Meier was the SDE National Kindergarten Teacher of the Year in 2003 and the 2014 Auburn-Washburn Unified School District Teacher of the Year. She has received multiple other awards for doing the job she loves. She received her National Board Certification in 2017. She loves working with children and majored in early childhood & elementary education at Evangel University graduating Summa cum laude. She is also earning her Master of Education in STEM from Emporia State currently. Mrs. Meier is always excited to share and learn from others in the education field.

Julie Miller has been with Olathe Public Schools, located within the Kansas City area, for 33 years. Currently she serves as the PreK-12 District Science Coordinator and is Nationally Board Certified in Early Adolescence Science. She authors online Science courses for the ParaEducator Learning Network. Julie has received recognition and honors, including Honeywell Scholarships to the Space Academy for Educators at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama; Excellence in Earth Science Teaching Award for Kansas; Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching; Kansas Medical Society and KATM Math Award. She received her Bachelor of Science and Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Kansas. She enjoys traveling to new cultures and discovering wildlife in its natural habitat. Julie’s passion is keeping the “sense of wonder” alive with children and adults.