Ms. Havens is the Executive Director of Educational Training Partners, a non-profit training organization, and has 18 years of experience training adult students. Adult education is a passion of Amber’s, therefore her focus is on applicable content and long-term retention by students. In addition to her national and community-based training, Ms. Havens is a mentor for early learning programs pursuing national accreditation. She has an MEd from the University of Phoenix.

Mr. Teeters is a life long learner, adult educator, poet and author. He has worked in the field of early learning for many years within public, private and government agencies. Jim held positions such as licensor, coach, trainer and college faculty and has influenced adult education in our state through work with the Department of Child Care and Early Learning, WAEYC and his own business, Adults Teaching Adults. Jim brings a global focus as he has travels and taught internationally as well.

Mr. Osborn has taught in a wide range of settings from preschools to colleges and enjoys teaching and learning in equal measure. He works to help others be their best at what they most love doing by matching trainer/coach skills to community needs related to afterschool and youth development across Washington. Integrating his personal interests around family, treehouses, storytelling, juggling, NW coastal canoes and many more, into his work add fuel to his fire.

Ms. Bell has worked at the Washington Association for the Education of Young Children (WAEYC) for nearly ten years, in the position of STARS Program Coordinator for the most recent three years. She participates in the statewide Professional Development Consortium and the Washington Afterschool Network. She is a founding member of the Trainer Educator Conference and has been involved with the administration of other conferences, including WAEYC's Annual Conference and the 2008 Tribal Conference.

Ten years ago, Ms. Bell enrolled her daughter in a Montessori program, and the program's positive impact on her daughter's early years led to Tenlee's commitment to quality early learning for all children. Tenlee is actively involved in the PTA and currently chairs two PTA committees at Federal Way Public Academy. Additionally, Tenlee has 18 years of experience in customer service.

Debra Shope, MA

Ms. Shope is eager to share her enthusiasm and lifelong devotion to education by developing meaningful learning experiences. The context of her trainings draws on her educational background coupled with her experience in early learning.

Before taking on her current role of Child and Family Services Supervisor for an Early Childhood Education and Assistance (ECEAP) program in Vancouver, Washington, Ms. Shope worked as a Teacher Assistant, Lead Teacher, Teacher and Family Advocate, and Executive Director, for a total of 15 years in Early Childhood Education. This experience has given Debra many opportunities to participate in, develop, and facilitate dynamic trainings for her agency, the community and other ECE programs.

She earned a Master of Arts degree in Human Development with a specialization in Leadership in Education from Pacific Oaks College, which required two semesters of student teaching: one developing effective STARS trainings, and one as student teacher for a Children’s Literature class at Clark College.

Ms. King currently oversees the mental health, health and disabilities services for children enrolled in Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF) programs as the Special Resources Manager. She is also adjunct faculty for two community colleges. Ms. King has worked in early education for ten years and has her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been a preschool teacher, afterschool program supervisor and director, and a preschool center director.  

Holly is passionate about helping early childhood professionals reach their highest potential through offering quality trainings that provide theory and research along with ideas for practical application. She enjoys helping the adults who care for and educate children to do so in developmentally appropriate ways.

Ms. Wilson is the owner of Meridian Nurse Consulting, a company that offers infant nurse consulting and health education, and a member of the nursing faculty of Lake Washington Technical College. She has a Master of Arts in Teaching from and a Master of Science in Maternal-Newborn Nursing from Yale.

Susie has been a certified nurse-midwife for 20 years, and her first training activities were in childbirth education and early parenting. Like many in the nursing profession, she found health education to be one of the most satisfying aspects of her career, and since then, has explored a variety of teaching methods, including mentoring and instruction of nursing students, high school students, parents, and child care providers.

Ms. Gallagher specializes in bringing startups, non-profits and small businesses to the market. With over 12 years of diverse marketing and communications experience, she focuses on marketing plan development and implementation, including: design, copywriting, research, and communications. She has created several successful identities and marketing campaigns for many clients such as the Chinook Tribe, III Branches Law Office, Educational Training Partners, Sagessence, Front Porch Software, Childhood Matters Conference, and the Washington Association for the Education of Young Children.

Before founding Saltwater Zapf Co./Kool Rd Studios, Taffy spent nearly four years in professional services marketing, working for the third largest architectural firm in the world and an environmental engineering firm. Additionally, she spent over three years as a marketing and communications specialist concentrating on consumer marketing, market research, and graphic design. Ms. Gallagher has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Washington State University and is the author of Program Full – Your Guide to Successful Childcare Marketing and 100 Ideas to Market Your Childcare Business.

Mr. Figueroa is the founder of Peace Enforcement LLC, and is an expert in violence prevention, conflict resolution, self-esteem building, and motivation. An inspirational speaker, Paul is a 12-year veteran of the King County Sheriff’s Department where he spent much of his career working with street gangs. Drawing on this experience, Paul re-channeled his efforts, and for the last 12 years has been working to positively impact the lives of people, both young and old, before law enforcement sees them. In his trainings, programs, and keynotes, Paul provides kids, parents, educators, and child advocates the tools they need to ensure a brilliant and happy future.

Paul was awarded "The Governor's Child Abuse Prevention Award", his Peace Enforcement Self Esteem / Conflict Resolution Curriculum was nominated for KCTS' Golden Apple Award, he has directly helped over 5,300 children and thousands of parents. Mr. Figueroa has been recognized by the Snohomish County Juvenile Court for his work with Juvenile Offenders, been nominated for the United Way “Outstanding Mentor Award,” appeared on Radio Disney, presented his “Seven Steps to Phenomenal Management Skills” at the largest HR conference ever in Singapore, teaches management skills at North Seattle Community College, produced his audio CD called “Compassionate Leadership – Leading from the inside out”, and has appeared on NBC’s Today Show.

Dr. Anderson knows how to make your voice heard. She is the author of a hard-cover book, e-book and audio book, host of a nationally-syndicated weekly radio program, a blogger, a podcaster, the creator of online courses and online programs for parents, teachers, and the general public - and she can show you how to do all this too! She'll point you toward free and low-cost sites and services and help you find the right way to get your message out.