2026 Speakers

We are pleased to present an outstanding program of presenters and speakers. See below for the some of presenters and brief bios.

Melodi Faris, Keynote Speaker

Dr. Melodi Faris has spent more than three decades helping young children learn and grow while supporting the educators who make that possible. Her career has taken her from teaching young children in elementary classrooms to preparing future teachers at the university level and leading professional development for early childhood educators. Dr. Faris holds a Ph.D. in Child Development and Early Education and is passionate about play-based learning, early literacy, child development, and creating meaningful learning experiences for young children. Today, she works as an independent consultant and is the creator of Spell2Read Early Literacy Curriculum. At the heart of her work is a simple belief: when we invest in the people who care for and teach young children, we invest in children.

Stephanie Cantú

Stephanie Cantú is a TEA Master Designated Dual-Language Kindergarten Teacher, who also proudly serves as the campus Garden Education Coordinator at Mockingbird Elementary in Dallas. With over 30 years of experience of teaching and writing curriculum, Stephanie expertly uses play and creative innovation to enhance student learning in her classroom.

Michelle L. Coston

Michelle Coston, M.Ed., is an early childhood consultant, trainer, and doctoral candidate in Early Childhood Education at Texas Woman’s University. Through Rootz & Wingz ECE Solutions, LLC, she supports educators and programs through practical professional development focused on child development, responsive relationships, intentional teaching, and developmentally appropriate practice.

Dorian Curry

Mrs. Dorian Curry is in her third year of teaching Kindergarten in Rockwall ISD. She graduated from East Texas A&M University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies- EC-6. Mrs. Curry is currently attending ETAMU pursuing a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction- Early Childhood Education.

Beth Edwards

Beth Edwards, MS, is the ECE Network Manager with Texas Children in Nature Network & Adjunct Professor with UNT, with 40 years of early childhood education experience, she brings expertise as an educator, trainer, consultant, and certified OLE! Texas natural playground designer. Beth advocates for protecting and preserving childhood as a time for play, self-directed discovery, joy and wonder.

Susan Friedman-Featured Speaker

Susan Friedman is Senior Director of Publishing and Content Development at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and is the NAEYC volume editor of Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition. Susan speaks extensively on developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) and is also responsible for NAEYC Books, Periodicals, and DAP-related resources. Early childhood educators rely on NAEYC’s content to stay up to date on research and best practices they can apply directly to their classrooms. Formerly a preschool teacher, Susan has years of experience creating content for educators and families. She graduated from Vassar College and received her graduate degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Susan recently relocated from DC to Dallas, Texas.

Angelina Fuchs

Angelina Fuchs, M.S., is a Senior Lead Early Childhood Specialist for Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas with over 14 years of experience in the early childhood field. A dedicated play advocate, she works to support educators and improve the quality of early learning experiences for children and families across North Central Texas.

Vivien L. Geneser-Featured Speaker

Vivien L. Geneser, PhD has a wide range of experience as an educator, from early childhood and elementary (Austin ISD) to graduate school (Texas A&M University-San Antonio) and she implements a playful approach at all levels. Additionally, Dr. Geneser served for eleven years as a co-editor of Early Years, a publication of TXAEYC. She is the editor of Scholarly Snapshots: The Importance of Child Play as a Human Right (2022), and the author of both Play in Educational Settings (2024) and Promoting Teaching and Learning Through Play (2026). Dr. Geneser currently teaches Play in Educational Settings at Texas State University, where she received a Favorite Professor award.

Joe Gonzales

Joe Gonzales is a Sr. Early Childhood Specialist and Texas Rising Star Mentor with Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas. He has over 10 years of experience in education and provides coaching, training, and technical assistance to early childhood programs, with a focus on classroom engagement, social-emotional development, and quality improvement.

Melissa Heinrich

Melissa Heinrich is a developmental psychologist and educator specializing in social and emotional development. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from The University of Texas at Dallas, where she conducted research on healthy development and taught undergraduate psychology courses. Her work focuses on translating developmental science into practical strategies for supporting children.

Samuel Horn

Samuel Horn is an early childhood education professional with experience in childcare operations, classroom quality, teacher support, CACFP compliance, and program monitoring. Samuel Horn is passionate about helping early childhood professionals create responsive, relationship-centered learning environments where children feel safe, capable, valued, and ready to learn.

Monica Lozano Hughes

Monica Lozano Hughes is a passionate early childhood educator, instructional specialist, children’s book author, and presenter with 24 years in education. She loves inspiring teachers to create joyful, language-rich learning experiences. As a doctoral student at Texas Woman’s University, Monica’s work centers on early childhood development, language, literacy, and meaningful learning through play.

Jose Lema

Dr. Jose Lema is a Prekindergarten teacher in a Texas public school and an Adjunct Professor at Potomac University. He earned his Ph.D. in Early Childhood Development and Education from Texas Woman’s University and holds an AMI Montessori credential (ages 3–6).

His research focuses on teachers’ beliefs about children’s mathematics and learning trajectories.

Erin Littlefield

Erin Littlefield has 16 years of public school teaching experience, and currently teaches 1st grade in Richardson ISD. A former Dallas ISD Teacher of the Year Semifinalist, Erin received an M.Ed in Early Childhood Education from East Texas A&M, which further inspired her passion for bringing play and creativity to the public school system.

Skylar Logan

Skylar Logan is a doctoral student at East Texas A&M University and a 2nd grade teacher in North Texas. With five years of experience across Head Start, Kindergarten, and 2nd grade, I bring a developmental perspective to early childhood education. I hold a Master's in Early Childhood Education, and I'm passionate about playful learning.

Kishani Mathiasz Woldberhan

Kishani Woldberhan is a CEO and Founder passionate about transforming early childhood education through purposeful, play-based learning. She champions practical approaches that empower educators, nurture children’s creativity and confidence, and create meaningful learning experiences that support the whole child and inspire a lifelong love of learning.

Delia Merritt

Delia Merritt has been in the Early Child Care industry for over 44 years, doing everything from classroom teacher, cook, coordinator for setting up classrooms for a national corporate child care, and director. Currently, she is the director of a mationally accredited center in downtown Garland with 160 children ages 6 weeks to 12 years.

She has her teaching certification in Elementary Education and Special Education from Texas A&M-Commerce, a Masters in Early Childhood Education and Master of Science Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She has taught infants-8th grade, a principal of a high school for at risk students for 6 years, and currently an Adjunct Professor for Collin College in Plano, Texas, teaching child development and education classes.

Lin Moore

Dr. Lin Moore is a Professor of Early Childhood Education at Texas Woman's University. She teaches courses in curriculum, play, action research, and leadership. Awards include Texas Teacher Educator of the Year and Senior Fellow Advanced Higher Education. She is a strong advocate of play-based learning for all ages.

Annelise Pesch

Annelise Pesch, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at Dallas. Her research examines the role of trust in children’s learning from others and the science of playful learning. She is part of a global initiative called Playful Learning Landscapes, which transforms public and educational settings into playful learning opportunities.

Cheryl Potemkin

Cheryl Potemkin is an early childhood consultant and founder of Pollen Path Design. A former botanic garden early childhood learning manager, she creates professional learning connecting play, nature, literacy, and creative inquiry. She is pursuing an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education at the University of North Texas.

Michelle Price

Michelle Price is a bilingual special education specialist, and doctoral student at Texas Woman's University, committed to equity, identity, and meaning-making for emergent bilingual learners. As a second-language learner who experienced learning differences at a time when few supportive programs existed, her lived experience deeply informs her work and advocacy.

Anita Schwarz

Anita Schwarz is a developmental specialist at ECI, former early childhood educator and pioneer! She works with children across diverse backgrounds and believes play is a child's work and their work is play! She has 3 children who still encourage her to keep playing, and visiting various museums around the country.

Anna Sorrells

Anna Sorrells has taught 1st grade in Dallas ISD for 16 years, and has received recognition as Campus Teacher of the Year and a Texas PTA Lifetime Member. As a Deaf Education Inclusion teacher, Anna is passionate about creating hands-on experiences for all students, both in her classroom and in the school garden.

Sharon Tanyi

Sharon Tanyi is a business executive, entrepreneur, and proud alumna of Texas Woman's University with more than 20 years of leadership experience. Her career spans early education, multi-site operations, franchise ownership, executive leadership, and the co-founding of a private preschool organization that was later acquired. She brings a unique perspective shaped by her journey from the classroom to executive leadership and business ownership. Beyond her professional work, she is a devoted wife and mother who considers family one of her greatest joys.

Josh Thompson

Josh Thompson plays well with others. His life with children, teachers, classrooms and homes, focuses on fun, because it is in joy that children learn best. As Professor of Early Childhood Education at East Texas A&M University, his research follows DAP, developmental cascades, playful learning, ABAR, and men in education.

Kimberly Vaughn

Kimberly Vaughn, MED, is the Early Childhood Program Coordinator for Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas, North Central Texas Council of Governments.

Karen Walker

Dr. Karen Walker is an assistant professor of early childhood education at East Texas A&M University. Her research interests include early literacy and playful learning, including the critical role of play in healthy development. She frequently presents at conferences locally, nationally, and internationally - including New Zealand and Vancouver.

Racquel Washington

Racquel Washington, PhD, CEO of Care First Consulting and Your Unique Travel, has over 30 years of experience leading and advising early childhood education and faith-based programs. She provides accreditation support, Texas Rising Star guidance, professional development, CDA observations, and consulting for new center start-ups. Racquel holds a BA in Elementary Education from the University of North Texas, an MS in Early Childhood Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and an EdD in Supervision, Curriculum, and Instruction from East Texas A&M University. She serves as Professional Development Director on the TECECN Board and has held leadership roles with Texas AEYC and Dallas AEYC. She is also a proud Lifetime Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Kristin Mathis

Kristin Mathis is a trauma-informed pediatric occupational therapist and TBRI Practitioner (TCU). She is currently a PhD candidate in Child Development and Early Education at Texas Woman's University, where she teaches undergraduate child development courses. A former foster parent, preschool teacher, curriculum coordinator, and ECE program director, she researches SEL, self-regulation, and conflict resolution skills.

Robbin Wells

Dr. Robbin Wells holds a Ph.D. in child development and early education from Texas Woman's University. She owns and operates two early childhood education centers and is proud to be part of The Goddard School family. A former Lovejoy ISD School Board Trustee, she also co-founded The Seed Project Foundation.

Karen Williams

With nearly 30 years of experience in early childhood education and family services, I have earned a master’s degree in Family Studies. Currently, as a PhD candidate in Human Development and Family Studies, I am committed to advancing research and facilitating meaningful change for children and families through evidence-based practices and research initiatives.

Elaine Zweig-Featured Speaker

Dr. Elaine Zweig, Professor Emeritus, is an Early Childhood/Educational Consultant working with children and adults of all ages. She has presented over 75 workshops locally, state-wide, nationally, and internationally, addressing early childhood trends and teacher education. She believes that children develop a sense of self and learn to make sense of the world around them through play. Established the Texas Chapter of the International Play Association

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