Meet the Presenters for “Celebrating Our Children”

We are proud to introduce our presenters for the 2010-2011 "Celebrating Our Children" early workshop series, hosted by Hanover Rainbow Station & Children-R-First;

  

• January 4th, 2011 from 6:30pm-8:30pm; "DRAMATIC PLAY IN CHILDHOOD: REHEARSAL FOR LIFE" (click here to register for this class)
  

  
  Presented by;
  GEORGIA BLAIR: Owner of The Party Fairy 
  Georgia Blair is the owner of The Party Fairy, providing special events and children's entertainment services to the Richmond market. Since 2003, her original characters have traveled to preschools, daycares, clubhouses and homes to perform dramatic storytelling, puppet shows and interactive skits designed to engage and delight young children. To date, she has served magical fairy Tea to more than 10,000 children, inviting them to explore the mysteries, delights and power of an imagination unleashed.
  
  MONICA MOEHRING: Theatre Teacher for The Steward School 
  Monica Moehring has spent the last ten years writing, directing, and producing plays for children ranging in age from 4-18.   Currently, she is the Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade theatre teacher and extracurricular theatre director at The Steward School.    She has taught and directed for SPARC both in enrichment programs and summer camps and has created theatre programs to coordinate with art exhibits at the Children’s Museum of Richmond.  Monica graduated from Shenandoah Conservatory with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and then spent time in Chicago as an actor, playwright, and music teacher.  Upon her return to Richmond, she has enjoyed teaching and directing theatre, and working as an actor and writer in local independent films.

  Monica will be speaking about the benefits of creative dramatics in early childhood education.  Creative Dramatics is a fantastic outlet for a child to explore their creativity and become comfortable with self-expression through acting, movement, and music helping them become less self-conscious and more self-confident.  It also encourages a child to explore their silly imaginative side.  Creative Dramatics build the foundation for success in social settings, public speaking, and creative thinking-a skill set that will take you through school and life.

  • March 4th, 2011 from 6:30pm-8:30pm; "BEYOND ABCs AND 123s: A KINDERGARTEN READINESS WORKSHOP" (click here to register for this class)

  Presented by;
  STEPHANIE JEFFERSON: Owner of Little Scholars 
  Stephanie Jefferson is the founder of Little Scholars which provides enrichment programs, tutoring and Kindergarten readiness assessments for young children.  Stephanie has an extensive background in early childhood education with more than fifteen years of experience working with children. Her expertise includes early childhood development, preschool curriculum design and assessment, inclusion analysis, and developmental needs identification. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from East Carolina University in special education and psychology, and she earned a Master of Education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.  She will share some great information for you about how children learn and some specifics about what they need to learn before going into Kindergarten.

  KRISTI STILSON: Owner of Children-R-First
  Kristi is the founder of Children-R-First. She received her B.S. in Early Childhood Education in 1998 and has worked extensively with a variety of programs across the U.S. serving teachers, young children, and their families for over 13 years. Kristi has been blessed with the opportunity to share her love of learning by serving as an Education Specialist, Outcomes Specialist, Preschool Director, and Mommy. She currently resides in Chesterfield, Virginia with her husband, Chuck, and their 4-year-old son, Blake.
  
  

  • May 3rd, 2011 from 6:30pm-8:30pm; "THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE: HOW BLOCKS HELP CHILDREN LEARN" (click here to register for this class)
    

    Presented by;
    NICOLE SCHAEFER: Assistant Director at Rainbow Station Village Three Chopt 
    Nicole is a Virginia Tech graduate where she majored in Human Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Education.  Nicole says; "I have always had a passion for working with children and enjoy making a difference, not only in the life of a child but also helping to grow our community through our youth."  Nicole has been with Rainbow for 11 years, working both in the classroom directly with children and in the office as the Curriculum Specialist and currently Assistant Director.  When not working, she enjoys swimming and spending time with her family.  Nicole is the proud mother of two fabulous children and has been happily married for 5 years.  She looks forward to meeting professionals in the Richmond community through the workshop series.        

    LINDSEY PHIPPS: Owner of School Crossing 

    • July 6th, 2011 from 6:30pm-8:30pm; "CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR: FIGHTERS, BITERS, PUSHERS, SMUSHERS" (click here to register for this class)

    Presented by;
    SUSAN BROWN: Family Educator for Commonwealth Parenting
    In addition to a B.A. and a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology, Susan holds an A.A. in Early Childhood Education. She has worked extensively in the field of child development and parent education, as a teacher and private school director.  She provides in-service training and staff development for teachers of young children in the Richmond Metro area.  As a Family Educator for Commonwealth Parenting, Susan focuses on working directly with parents in private or group settings.  She has a comprehensive understanding of the issues unique to each stage of child development; infants through teens, and she strongly believes that through education and understanding we can create the kinds of productive, loving and supportive families we all wish for.
    
    ANDY BURNS: Junior Activities Director for American Family Fitness
    Andy Burns is the Junior Activities Director for American Family Fitness at the west end location, and is also a certified personal trainer with AFAA.  He is responsible for all of the programming at the club for 9-13 year old children, and uses his passion and knowledge to try to reshape the growing issue of childhood obesity.  He has a special interest in sharing his experience with anyone who needs help becoming the person they envision themselves as, at any age.  Before American Family Fitness, Andy worked 7 summers at Westview on the James, a summer camp in Goochland, VA. Andy will share ideas about how to take a proactive approach to challenging behavior by engaging children in a healthy and active lifestyle.
    
    Past Presenters: 

    • September 14th, 2010 from 6:30pm-8:30pm; "CREATING A FOUNDATION FOR EARLY LITERACY" (Click here to register for this class)

    Presented by;
    JOANIE BACHE; Executive Director of Read Aloud Virginia 
    ASHLEY TAYLOR; Director of The Village at Hanover Rainbow Station

    • November 2nd, 2010 from 6:30pm-8:30pm; "RECIPES FOR READING: LITERACY BASED COOKING AND NUTRITION ACTIVITIES" (click here to register for this class)

    Presented by;
    STACEY MOORE: Assistant Director at Hanover Rainbow Station 
    VICTORIA FINKA: Registered Dietician for American Family Fitness