Overview
Our theme for 2024
Healthy Families; Differences Enhance Greatness!
We will focus on inclusivity
and social determinants of health
Click below for more information about Charlottesville:
Click Below for information about restaurants in the Stonefield Shopping Center which is walking distance from the Hyatt Place Hotel and close to the Conference Center.
Other recommended food options close to Conference Center:
Great for Breakfast and Lunch
Lunch buffet
Dr. El Brown
Dr. El Brown is the Founder of KinderJam and host of the podcast Straight Talk with Dr. El. She is also a faculty member in the Early Childhood Education Master of Arts in Teaching Program in the American University, School of Education, in Washington DC.
Dr. El began her career as an Early Childhood educator in Atlanta Public Schools (APS). After which, she relocated to Asia and taught 2nd grade in Japan and South Korea with the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).
In 2008, after her return to the United States, as a stay at home mom, Dr. El founded KinderJam, an Early Childhood Education enrichment, care, and training agency, which grew to serve Military and State Department Families in 11 countries and 16 states. The program was founded in response to Dr. El’s experience as a mother parenting a young child with disabilities and with a purpose to promote early intervention and family engagement in military communities. This endeavor earned Dr. El the title of 2012 Army Spouse of the Year, an invitation to the White House, and a feature on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
To further develop KinderJam and ensure the professional integrity of the program, she earned a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Then, to better position herself to effectively advocate for young children with disabilities and their families, Dr. El later earned a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education with a secondary emphasis in Educational Psychology from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.
Dr. El’s current research focuses on reconceptualizing what it means to support families of young children with disabilities.
Presently, Dr. El operates a preschool and summer camp programs for Fairfax County and provides keynote presentations and professional development to service providers, who engage with young children and their families.
Dr. El has authored four books and created a music and movement curriculum for young children. But, above all she is a proud Head Start alumna and mother of a 17-year-old son on the autism spectrum, affectionately known as SuperDuperYoungMan (SDYM).
Cynthia Bohrer (she/her) National Facilitator with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
Cynthia has over 30 years of experience working in education and youth-serving organizations. Cindy’s areas of specialization include early childhood education, risk and resilience, teacher and program development, and community engagement. She has served a diversity of families and children in Boston, Houston, and the DC metro area as a teacher and program administrator. Cindy’s commitment to equity and accessibility was ignited early on while working in partnership with South End Head Start in Boston.
As a consultant and national facilitator with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Welcoming Schools program, Cindy has trained with educators and schools across the country in support of safe and inclusive schools. Cindy holds a BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, an EdM in Human Development and Psychology, Risk and Resilience from Harvard University and a MA in Leadership in Social Transformation from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.
In addition to her work with Welcoming Schools, Cindy currently serves as Senior Manager, Teaching and Program Experience at KID Museum in Bethesda, MD. KID Museum’s makerspace programs focus on engaging and empowering populations that are traditionally underrepresented in STEM. Cindy lives in Hyattsville, MD with her family, two pups, and a growing mountain of maker materials.
Consuella L. Carter, Ed.S
Consuella has worked in many facets of education, but Early Childhood Education is her jam. Being an ECE Instructor in Higher Education was a proud achievement as it provided the opportunity to teach and mentor incoming ECE practitioners. Her dedication to the Early Childhood profession is evident in her memberships and work contributions. She is a member of NAEYC ( National Association for the Education of Young Children) and the state affiliate, GAEYC (Georgia Association for the Education of Young Children), which she serves as their Lead Consultant for the Equity Fellowship Program. She is a Circle of Security Parent Facilitator. Consuella facilitates ECE ( Early Childhood Education) courses that she created for Early Childhood practitioners including Head Starts and Pre-K programs. Her CDA curriculum of 120 hours of coursework (Child Development Associate) is accepted by the CDA council in Washington D.C. Her courses are interactive and engaging. She takes the theories of Early Childhood Education and does a unique fusion with Adult Learning principles to create fun, educational, and relevant learning opportunities to meet the needs of various learning styles. Through the grace of God she has been cultivating her craft. She has two undergraduate degrees in Early Childhood Education and went on to earn her Master’s degree in Higher Education. She also has a Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Consuella is a Phd candidate in Education with North Central University. But, it is not her education that is most important. Her focus is the aspect of educating others to enhance their knowledge to become positive advocates for change in the communities they serve. “Be the joy you seek from others”- Consuella L. Carter, Ed.S
Dr. Mary Jackson
Dr. Jackson has worked in education for over 30 years. She considers herself as an international teacher who has worked in the countries of Panama and Germany, as well as many states in the United States. She has taught grades K-6 in all areas. Dr Jackson is certified as a Teacher Support Specialist and a Teacher Leader. One of her strengths is mentoring teachers and helping them to be the best educators they can possibly be. She recently retired as an Instructional Lead Teacher with the Douglas County School System in Douglasville, GA. At the present time, she is a University Supervisor for Student Teaching at Mercer University. Dr. Jackson earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary from Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, NC. She received her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from University of Oklahoma and her Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Capella University. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her husband, friends, and family, traveling, and shopping.
Rashanda Jenkins
Rashanda Jenkins has served the Head Start (HS)/Early Head Start (EHS) community for over 14 years. Ms. Jenkins joined the Office of Head Start/Region III Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Network in 2019 as a Health Specialist. In her tenure as Health Specialist, she supports EHS/Recipients with individualized TTA in areas such as safe and healthy learning environments; new health leadership and orientation; emergency preparedness; ongoing monitoring and quality improvement systems; and data monitoring and tracking. In her previous roles, while working at a recipient program, she analyzed and used multiple program datasets to make informed decisions for program operations, ongoing monitoring, and quality improvement. Ms. Jenkins provided resources and information on health-related topics and supported states in developing and strengthening state health manager networks. This wide-ranging experience with building organizational capacity and management systems enables her to provide TTA in specialty areas of data analysis, health and safety, and group facilitation and presentation. Ms. Jenkins currently lives in Arlington, Virginia.
See ALL of Dr. El Browns Resources to download CLICK HERE!
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PEDAGOGIES Consuella Carter
$275.00 for Conference Programming.
Meals are not provided, plan accordingly. You will have time to go out to get lunch, breakfast is on your own. Many shops and restaurants nearby! Snacks and coffee will be available.
REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED.
Conference Location:
The Hillsdale Conference Center
550 Hillsdale Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22901
Hotel information:
We have a block of rooms at our group rate at the Hyatt Place, Charlottesville. Please see info below to book.
You can also inquire about government rates if you call the hotel.
There is a hotel shuttle or short drive to Hillsdale Conference Center.
2100 Bond Street
Charlottesville VA, 22901
Reservations by Phone 800.993.4751
Mention the Group Booking Code G-HS34
Or
Head Start Va
Internet Reservations
King Room or Double Queen Room $126+tax
Rooms must be booked by 02/18/24
Breakfast, Internet, and Parking Included
Located in The Shops at Stonefield
https://www.shopsatstonefield.com/hyatt-place-charlottesville-hotel/
IF BLOCK IS FULL
Other Hotel option, walking distance to the Hillsdale Conference center:
Fairfield Inn & Suites Charlottesville North
Upcoming Events
Mar 27, 2025
Apr 24, 2025
May 8, 2025
