I am an early childhood educator with over 17 years of experience working in private preschool settings. I currently teach in a play-based early learning environment that incorporates a Jewish curriculum, where I focus on supporting children’s social, emotional, and academic growth through meaningful and intentional relationships.

I began my academic journey at the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Adolescence from California State University, Northridge. I later completed my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at California State University, Long Beach.

Throughout my years in the classroom, I have seen firsthand how strong connections between educators, children, and families play a critical role in academic success and overall development. This experience has deeply shaped my teaching philosophy and my passion for relationship-centered education, which is the foundation of my workshop, The Role of Educators in Building Meaningful Connections. I am committed to creating inclusive, respectful, and nurturing learning environments where every child feels safe, valued, and supported.

Bronwyn Kennedy is a Consultant with the Division of Standards, Accreditation, and Workforce Investment, with California’s State Commission on Teacher Credentialing She is involved in the development of the new PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential, the Child Development Permit, and supporting other early learning initiatives across the state. She has over 25 years of experience in the field of Early Learning, ranging from supporting private and state preschools to family childcare homes, and acting as a liaison in childcare policy and planning. She holds a master’s degree in both Early Childhood Education and Public Administration.

Bryan Astrachan is the coordinator of the National Education Safety and Security Initiative (NESSI) in the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Bryan has spent several years in education including K-12, college and university. He is a leading expert in the arena of safe schools, school administration, school law, and juvenile procedures. He has held numerous posts dealing with administration, discipline, Child Welfare Attendance (CWA), and school safety, in addition to being primary school safety trainer including partnership development with school districts and the County Office of Education. Bryan's unique experience with law enforcement, military, and educational administration allows him to deliver instruction on a multiple levels, from executives to the "Boots On The Ground" teams. Bryan is also the NESSI Governmental Affairs Representative who works closely with California Department of Education (CDE), Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), and law enforcement partners. Bryan is a POST certified academy instructor and our Terrorism Liaison Officer (TLO) Coordinator with the Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Bryan provides contract services to school districts, county office of education and charter schools; services include background investigations, uniform complaint investigations, employer/employee relations, and internal affairs investigations.

*EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST; SPECIAL EDUCATION EXPERIENCE SINCE 2017: Perform assessments utilizing various test measurements including Brigance test. Present findings from assessment reports to I.E.P. teams. Proposing Specialized Academic Instruction Services for a student’s least restrictive environment attending IEP meeting, presenting draft IEP's and I review prior records of students to identify specific educational needs & services.

LIFE-TIME COMMUNITY COLLEGE ADMINISTRATIVE & INSTRUCTOR CREDENTIAL

Debra Keeler Ph.D. is a Consultant with the Division of Standards, Accreditation, and Workforce Investment with California’s State Commission on Teacher Credentialing involved in the development of the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential and Child Development Permit. Her work supports teacher preparation programs to institutions across the state and comes with private and public early education experience. Debra holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. 

Jaime Onate is a bilingual (Spanish/English) school psychologist with eight years of experience, currently serving in Chino Valley Unified School District. With a career spanning middle school and high school settings—as well as a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian school and treatment community—Jaime brings both depth and real-world perspective to every space he enters.

Before becoming a school psychologist, he spent three years providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services in both school and home environments, giving him a strong foundation in behavior, intervention, and student-centered support.

Known for his engaging, down-to-earth style, Jaime blends research, real talk, and actionable strategies that educators can immediately apply. His work resonates with new teachers, administrators, and faculty across K–12 and community college settings who are looking for practical, compassionate approaches that support ALL learners.

He holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy, and earned his M.S. in School Psychology and PPS credential from University of La Verne.

Jennifer Davis is an educator, artist, and relationship-builder who brings creativity and heart to her work with young children. Teaching is her second career, shaped by many years as a professional tattoo artist and shop owner, where she built trusted client relationships that often spanned 25 years. Those experiences continue to influence her teaching, grounding her work in trust, empathy, and the belief that every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and capable.

She is currently a Transitional Kindergarten teacher in Cypress School District and has also taught first grade, with experience supporting students from preschool through fifth grade. Jennifer is known for creating nurturing, inclusive classrooms where kindness, belonging, and curiosity are at the center, and where all students, including English learners and those with diverse learning needs, are supported in reaching their full potential. She holds a Multiple Subject Credential in Elementary and Bilingual Education from Cal State Fullerton, where she graduated summa cum laude, and she continues to blend her passions for education and art to inspire her students and community.

Jorge O. Ramirez has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, working across programs such as Head Start, state preschool, special education collaborative classrooms, district centers, faith-based programs, laboratory schools, and private schools. His work with diverse populations has shaped his commitment to equity, advocacy, and community-centered practices.

He earned his B.A. in Child Development and a Multiple Subject Credential from California State University, Los Angeles, and an M.A. in Education from the University of Southern California, where he focused on advocacy and research-based practice. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Early Childhood Education at Pacific Oaks College, with research centered on promoting social-emotional development and emotional competence in young children.

As a mentor with the California Early Childhood Mentor Program, he supports students from multiple institutions, guiding future educators in advocacy, equity, and best practices for the holistic development of children.

Jorge believes that equipping educators with knowledge, compassion, and practical strategies can transform early childhood education into a force for social change and community empowerment. His current research and teaching emphasize the critical role of social and emotional development in helping children thrive academically, relationally, and beyond.

Highly motivated and well-organized educator with 17 years of teaching experience and office administration. My main focus is to continue to be a Child Development Advocate for educators, along with counseling them in the right path as they develop the necessary skills to become a great educator. I have worked with all age groups from infancy to school age, up to high school, however, my passion for teaching lied with the two years, which is the age where they find themselves, understand their personality and comprehend that like has many skills to practice on. I have the ability to manage a variety of projects such as management, data entry, and communications. In addition, i also have a wide knowledge perspective of ECE/CD, in which enables me to be the educator I am today.

Dr. Julie Pelikhova grew up in Los Angeles and attended UCLA as a Sociology major and Education minor. She discovered her passion for counseling while at UCLA, leading her to pursue a Master’s in School Counseling and Pupil Personnel Services Credential at Loyola Marymount University. In 2014, Dr. Pelikhova earned a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from UCLA, focusing her research on professional development for coaches.    

Dr. Pelikhova has worked as a College and Career Counselor for two decades. A lifelong athletics enthusiast, she has also coached cheerleading and marathon teams. In addition to her counseling career, Dr. Pelikhova became a professor of Education and Career Counseling at Loyola Marymount University in 2015. Currently, Dr. Pelikhova is a lecturer in John Wooden’s Transformative Coaching and Leadership program. She has implemented several mentoring opportunities for UCLA athletes to give back to the community. 

Dr. Pelikhova’s passion for helping others reach their full potential has impacted thousands of people, division 1 athletes, and coaches throughout her career. She successfully blends her background in athletics with her experience with counseling to support her clients. 

Dr. Karen Lyn Saysay is an educator and workforce leader with over 30 years of experience spanning K–12 and community college systems. She currently serves in Workforce and Economic Development at the Los Angeles Community College District, where she leads cross-college initiatives focused on career pathways, dual enrollment, work-based learning, and industry partnerships. Her work centers on building sustainable collaborations that align education with real workforce needs, particularly in underserved communities. Dr. Saysay is a former ACTE Fellow and was recently awarded two mini-grants through the ECMC Foundation supporting innovative workforce exposure and transition programs for students with learning disabilities. Her pride and joy is her 15-year-old daughter, who recently published her first research article on atherosclerosis and is concurrently working toward an Associate of Science degree through dual enrollment. A self-described 80s kid and unapologetic Back to the Future fan, Dr. Saysay brings energy, humor, and a practitioner’s lens to her work—emphasizing needs assessment, equity, and follow-through to turn partnerships into real student opportunities.

Liz López es profesora de Desarrollo Infantil y una orgullosa defensora del juego. Durante más de 23 años, ha sido una voz poderosa a favor de los niños… siempre con una misión en mente:

Devolverle la alegría a la infancia.

El trabajo de Liz se centra en crear espacios de aprendizaje basados en el juego donde comunidades diversas, especialmente familias y estudiantes de habla hispana, se sientan vistos, valorados y empoderados. Ella tiene el privilegio de orientar y preparar a futuros educadores y profesionales que trabajan con niños y familias para que se conviertan en defensores reflexivos y agentes de cambio.

Ya sea enseñando, asesorando o facilitando talleres llenos de juego, Liz aporta energía, humor y una profunda convicción de que la curiosidad, el asombro y el juego son ingredientes esenciales en la forma en que los niños aprenden y crecen.

Pero por encima de todos sus logros profesionales, Liz dirá que su papel más importante es ser la mamá de tres niños infinitamente curiosos… ¡su recordatorio diario de que la infancia debe estar llena de preguntas, risas, desorden y muchísimo asombro!

ENGLISH TRANSLATION: 

Liz López is a Child Development professor and proud defender of play. For more than 23 years, she has been a powerful voice for children… always with one mission in mind: 

Bringing back joy to childhood.

Liz’s work centers on creating play-based learning spaces where diverse communities, especially Spanish-speaking families and students, feel seen, valued, and empowered. She has the privilege of mentoring and preparing future educators and professionals working with children and families to become thoughtful advocates and agents of change.

Whether she’s teaching, consulting, or leading playful workshops, Liz brings energy, humor, and a deep belief that curiosity, wonder, and play are essential ingredients in how children learn and grow.

But above all her professional accomplishments, Liz will tell you her most important role is being the mom of three endlessly curious boys… her daily reminder that childhood should be full of questions, laughter, messes, and a whole lot of wonder!

Marley Parker has been working as a professional science communicator for over a decade. As a photographer, videographer, and writer, she specializes in documenting research in some of the most remote parts of our planet. In the past eight years, she has joined over 30 expedition teams, highlighting projects sponsored by NOAA, NASA, the National Science Foundation, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Ocean Exploration Trust, and many others. Her travels have taken her from the Antarctic Peninsula to the North Atlantic to the South Pacific. 

Marnnie Francisco holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and has over 15 years of experience working with children and families. She has worked as a substitute teacher, classroom teacher, and site supervisor for a government early education project. She also worked as a Senior Recruiter for Child Care Careers, where she supported early childhood programs with staffing and workforce development. Currently, she is a full time Child Development faculty member and also teaches Spanish. Her work focuses on social emotional development, educator well being, and creating supportive learning environments. She believes that when educators feel calm and supported, students are more ready to learn. Professor Marnnie has presented professional development workshops for LACOE and Frog Street. She is passionate about helping educators build strong relationships, practice self regulation, and create classrooms where both adults and children feel safe, valued, and successful.

A produced screenwriter and teacher with over 20 years experience, Matthew Waynee works at USC Media Arts & Engineering Magnet in LAUSD, where he helped build its CTE Video Production and Animation pathways from the ground up.  He has written nearly $3,000,000 in grants and set up partnerships with DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, IATSE, and Warner Bros.  For three years, Waynee’s Advanced Animation Course was one of three schools in North America to participate in a year-long Nickelodeon Studios Mentorship Program, and he was part of the Education Advisory Team that helped revise the California State CTE standards for all Arts, Media, & Entertainment pathways that were approved by the California Department of Education in November 2025.  Additionally, he authored the first ever DOL & DAS registered Animation, Game Design & VFX Apprenticeship Program that launched in 2023.  In December 2025, Waynee was recognized as the National ACTE Teacher of the Year.

Dr. Rebecca Heneise has been a dual-language educator for more than 13 years. In her current role, she develops the teaching capacity of her dual-language teachers. Dr. Heneise grew up bilingual and always wanted to be a bilingual educator but the options were limited when she started her teaching career. Now, bilingual schools are opening every day and more bilingual teachers are needed. Dr. Heneise’s research and work has been centered around preparing teachers to be bilingual educators. 

I am the 2026 California Teacher of the Year. I teach IB Language and Literature at South Hills High School in the Covina-Valley Unified School District. I have been in the classroom for 22 years and have taught all grade levels from 9-12. Courses from study skills, to honors, AP and now IB and recently served as our school's WASC chairperson. I have a masters degree in Cultural Studies. 

Sabrina Ruiz is a K-12 Pathway Coordinator with Glendale Community College, where she works to expand college and career pathways for students through dual enrollment, career technical education (CTE), and workforce partnerships. She collaborates with school districts, community colleges, and regional partners to help students explore high-demand careers and transition successfully from high school to college and the workforce. Sabrina also serves as an adjunct professor with the Los Angeles Community College District. Through her work with the Los Angeles Regional Consortium (LARC), Glendale Community College (GCC), Burbank Unified School District (BUSD), and West Los Angeles College (WLAC), she focuses on strengthening educational pathways and supporting the next generation of educators. She is passionate about helping teachers and students explore how artificial intelligence can support innovative teaching and learning.

Shelby Clatterbuck is Faculty and Department Chair of Human Development and Faculty Lead for the Teacher Preparation Pathway at Irvine Valley College, bringing over 25 years of experience in early childhood and teacher education. Her work centers on building equity-driven, practice-aligned pathways that support diverse future educators, including adult re-entry students, paraeducators, and early childhood professionals transitioning into K–12 teaching. Shelby has led CAP/CTC-aligned curriculum development, strengthened school district partnerships, and expanded fieldwork, mentorship, and student leadership opportunities through campus and statewide initiatives. As a Board Member of ACCCTEP, she advocates for stronger community college preparation, seamless transfer, and centering practitioner and student voice to better serve California’s children, families, and schools.

With 20 years of educational experience including high school, community college and adult education. 14 of those years in intercity high school teaching Business Management Pathway and Marketing courses for 9-12 grade students, six periods a day and served as a Teacher Advisor for California "DECA" club after school.  Extensive Career Technical Education (CTE) experience which has included supervising the Carl Perkins Grant and working with teachers to develop career pathways for their students. Taught after school enrichment program for high school students in business skills online and provided mocking interview skills.

Throughout my career, I also assisted with program development, advisement and curriculum development within the state framework for career technical education development.

My adult education teaching included teaching Business Occupations training including Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Business Office Technology including database applications, word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheets, digital presentations and workplace communication.    

Served as a mentor for the Community Partnerships for Teacher Pipeline at Rio Hondo College.

Presently, on staff at Charter Oaks Adult School, East L.A. College and The Los Angeles County Fairplex Learning Development Center, Career Technical Education Center  "CTEC" program.

Thomas Gebreyesus is the Transfer and Black Student Success Advisor at CSU Fullerton. A first-generation Eritrean American, he earned his A.A. in Communication Studies from El Camino College, a B.A. in Communication Studies from CSU Long Beach, and an M.S. in Education from the University of Miami. At CSU Fullerton’s Center for Careers in Teaching, he recruits and supports students interested in teaching, with a focus on increasing access and addressing the scarcity of Black educators.

My name is Thresa Offord and I have been working in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) field for the pat twenty-five years. I have held various positions; Toddler Teacher, Site Supervisor, Education Coordinator, Regional Director, ECE Consultant, Education Specialist and Coaching Manager. In each position I have learned the value of working with families, children and adults. I have a BA in ECE and will be graduating with my Masters in Human Development, Spring 2021. My passion is coaching and sharing my experience with Educators that add new tools to their enriched tool belt.

Tony Thurmond has served as California’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction since 2019, leading the nation’s largest and most diverse public school system. An educator, social worker, and public-school parent, he brings more than 15 years of experience in public service.

Superintendent Thurmond’s dedication to education is rooted in his lived experiences and the impact of supportive schools and communities. Those experiences continue to inform his work to ensure that every student—regardless of background—has access to a high-quality education, caring adults, and the resources needed to thrive.

With a focus on equity and whole-child support and opportunity throughout his career, he has championed initiatives that matter most to students, families, and educators, including expanding mental health supports, increasing access to school meals, investing in community schools, strengthening the educator workforce, advancing early learning and literacy, and building school systems that empower every learner to succeed.

Yadira Arellano is a doctoral student in the School of Education at UCLA and a dedicated educator with over ten years of experience as a Child Development faculty member. She teaches dual enrollment courses across three community colleges and four high schools, where she has had the privilege of serving approximately 160 high school students — supporting their access to college-level coursework and guiding them on their journey toward higher education.

As a first-generation graduate and former AB540 student at East Los Angeles College, Yadira understands firsthand the challenges faced by non-traditional and underserved students. These lived experiences fuel her ability to connect authentically with students, inspiring them to pursue their academic and career aspirations with confidence.

She holds a Master’s degree in Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services from Pacific Oaks College, which has deepened her commitment to understanding and addressing the diverse needs of students and families.

Yadira is passionate about creating equitable opportunities for all students to succeed and thrive.

📎 Connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/yadira-arellano-2ba89b80”

Dr. Zhonghe Wu is a professor at National University with over 20 years of teaching experience at both the PK–12 and university levels. His research interests include educational policy and teacher knowledge development in mathematics and transdisciplinary STEM. He has contributed to numerous publicly and privately funded research projects. Dr. Wu is an active scholar who has published extensively in academic journals. He has served in various editorial roles, including Assistant Editor, Associate Editor, and Editor-in-Chief. Currently, he serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning (JRIT&L). In 2024, Dr. Wu received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award from Mathematics Classroom Teaching Research for All Students (M-CTRAS).