Speakers' Bureau

A Guide to the ACEI Speakers' Bureau

The ACEI Speakers' Bureau connects engaging, professional presenters with schools, local organizations, associations, and other community groups who are interested in the well-being and education of children.

ADHD...literacy...testing and assessment..., our speakers cover a broad range of subjects and they agree to share their knowledge and experience for the cost of travel expenses. Should an honorarium be offered, speakers have also agreed to donate 40% of the fee to ACEI to help promote the Speakers Bureau and other ACEI programs.

Speakers are approved by the ACEI Executive Board and they must be Professional Members of the organization for a minimum of 3 years.

ACEI's education professionals are available in many geographical regions.

To schedule a speaker at your next event, call ACEI headquarters at 800.423.3563 or 301.570.2111.

Click in any of the following links for the specified state or for a Speakers' Bureau Application form.

Arizona California Connecticut Florida Illinois Louisiana Maryland

Mississippi New York Pennsylvania South Carolina Tennessee Virginia Wisconsin

Speakers' Bureau Application Form

ACEI Speakers

ARIZONA

Sandra Stone's expertise in early childhood literacy education has led her to write several books, including Creating the Multiage Classroom and Playing: A Kid's Curriculum. As a professor at Northern Arizona University and the Director of the National Multiage Institute, Stone performs teacher-training, does consultant work, and conducts ongoing research. Her areas of expertise include multiage classrooms, play, literacy development (guided reading, modeled writing, shared books), and portfolio assessment. Flagstaff, AZ

Go back to the state index
CALIFORNIA

Edythe Margolin's expertise is in a wide range of topics, including programs for young children, social and emotional development and their effects on interpersonal relationships and children's personality characteristics, a changing society in relation to parents and children, parent education, and teacher-child interactions at school. Margolin has presented at many lectures, inservice events, and PTA meetings, and she is comfortable speaking to groups of all sizes. Los Angeles, CA

Go back to the state index
CONNECTICUT

Terri Lawrence has served as an early childhood educator and trainer for over 27 years. Over the course of her career, she has worked in both public and private settings as a classroom teacher, center director, school administrator, and college professor. An experienced workshop leader and trainer, she has engaged a variety of audiences - elementarty teachers, childcare providers, administrators, specialists, social workers, and parents - in a wide range of topics. Her areas of expertise include: Creativity, Observing and Recording, Parenting, Environments, and Early Literacy. Her approach is a participatory one with attendees involved in hands-on, meaningful activities that they can immediately apply to their work with childeren.

Teri has presented at national, state, and regional conferences and frequently visits centers, schools, and districts to pursue the work she loves best - training, supporting, and collaborating with teachers of young children. Her workshops have been described as "amazing" and "jam-packed with important and useful information and strategies." To quote one recent attendee, "a day with Teri is like an injection of professional adrenaline..." Washington, CT

Go back to the state index
FLORIDA

Melanie Bazarte has been dubbed "The Erma Bombeck of Discipline" because she tackles that serious topic with wit and energetic perception, and uses a variety of props and techniques to make her presentations memorable nationwide. Bazarte specializes in teacher training and parenting workshops and has authored Parenting 101: Because Kids Don't Come with Instructions, The Care or Repair of Children's Self-Esteem, Dr. Melanie's 115 Fingerplays and Action Songs. An educator for more than 35 years, Bazarte presently teaches parenting classes, infant/toddler stimulation, and pre-birth parenting classes. Previously, she taught preschool, Head Start, and primary grades. Delray Beach, FL
William Janiak is a nationally known author, composer, children's artist, and activity specialist. Janiak's sessions provide a fun, group-participation atmosphere in a "We Learn by Doing" format. He offers more than forty topic choices, including music-time and movement, games (for rainy days, leisure-time, and fun and fitness), supervision training (ethics, leadership, cultural diversity, quality, coaching, delegating), and generic areas (stress, handling negative emotions, communicating, sexual harassment). Miami, FL
Catheryn Weitman's presentation style is down-to-earth, realistic, and practical; it provides immediately employable ideas, and it's fun! Her expertise in education is culled from a circular perspective: parent, classroom teacher, principal, college faculty and administrator. Weitman's presentations cover conduct disorders, portfolio development, P-16+, assessment, program development, mentorship, college teaching, action research, grade inflation, collegial coaching, curriculum, standards, and assessment alignment. She has presented before local, regional, national, and international audiences, and to a variety of participants, including preservice/inservice teachers, and vice presidents and presidents of SCDEs. Miami Shores, FL
Janice Wood's expertise is in the importance of an early literacy curriculum in Pre-K, kindergarten, and primary classrooms. A frequent keynote speaker, her workshop sessions, including "Designing a Primary Classroom that Enhances Early Literacy Development," "Successful Strategies for Working with At-risk, Urban Primary Children," and "Developing Positive Family, School, and Community Partnerships," have been attended by teachers and curriculum people across the country. Jacksonville, FL

Go back to the state index
ILLINOIS

MaryLouise Burger can speak to the high-profile subjects of children's self-esteem, toy safety, and dealing with stress. A specialist in early childhood, Burger's other sessions discuss children's literature and creativity. Rolling Meadows, IL

Merribeth D. Bruning employs her expertise on various subjects, including curriculum integration, religious education, multicultural issues, teacher effectiveness and education, motivation, and research and trends in early childhood, elementary and music education. She has presented to audiences ranging from at-risk preschool students and their families, to international audiences of adults and professional peers. Chair, Department of Early Childhood, Elementary Education, and Middle Level Education, Eastern Illinois University, Bruning has delivered presentations in the United States and Canada. Charleston, IL

Madeline Currier speaks on language development and the importance of young children (ages 3-8 years old) from homes where English is not the primary language, being introduced to English before beginning their formal education. She has developed a program called Play and Language, that encourages the parent to coach the child. The program is offered in a structured English immersion format. Ms. Currier also provides a five-hour seminar educating teachers, childcare staff, and vvolunteers on methods og bringing children from different cultures together to learn a common language through cooperative play. Elk Grove, IL

Barbara Lowenthal speaks about social skills for at-risk/special needs young children. She also gives presentations concerning ADD, early childhood, special education, alternative assessments, family assessment in early childhood special education, and the effects of early childhood abuse and neglect. Chicago, IL

Go back to the state index
LOUISIANA

Janie Humphries' hands-on presentations have led participants to comment, "She knew just what teachers needed" and "I felt like she was talking to me about my classroom." Humphries encourages "active learning" whenever possible, and her at-ease style makes it easy for audiences of Head Start teachers and directors, child care providers, early childhood teachers, paraprofessionals, and elementary school administrators to relate to her and to ask questions. A Professor and Coordinator of Early Childhood Education at Louisiana Tech University, Humphries directs undergraduate and graduate programs in early childhood education. During her 20-plus years as an educator, Humphries has taught Pre-K and kindergarten students in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Ruston, LA

Go back to the state index
MARYLAND

William Fitzhugh uses hands-on, child-centered activities to make geography education fun and interesting. A recipient of the 1997 NCSS Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award, Fitzhugh was an elementary teacher for more than 28 years. Presently, he teaches graduate geography courses for teachers and has traveled extensively in Japan, Australia, Uruguay, Israel, Korea, Italy, and Jordan. Reisterstown, MD

Judith A. Hatton's workshops and lectures — "Helping Children Manage Stress," "Working With Primary Special Needs Children," "Effective Classroom Management," "Working With Difficult Children," and "Working With Difficult Parents"—cover timely topics in education. For her contributions to multicultural education and diverse populations she was rewarded with the 1999 Outstanding Educators Award from the Minority Affairs Committee of the Prince George's County (MD) Educators Association. A practical, down-to-earth speaker with a good sense of humor, Hatton shares her passion for living and learning with a common-sense approach to her subject matter. Though trained as an Adlerian counselor, Hatton has become a special educator of primary aged children. Washington, DC, metropolitan area

Go back to the state index
MISSISSIPPI

Mary Jo Ayres is an award-winning author and songwriter who conducts presentations, keynotes, and make-it take-it sessions that are fun, educational, motivational, and musical. Her songs for children have focused on fire safety, the Statue of Liberty, good behavior, and helping children to learn letters and letter sounds. She also emphasizes phonemic awareness for young children with a crossover of phonics for elementary children. A presenter at early childhood conferences, international reading conferences, universities, schools, Head Start agencies, libraries, day care environments, and other educational organizations in the U.S. and abroad, Ayres is listed in the Region IV Head Start database for presentations and keynotes. Her company, Natural Learning, highlights natural, hands-on active ways for children to learn with songs, fingerplays, puppets, games, and art. Leland, MS

Go back to the state index
NEW YORK

Mary McKnight-Taylor, Professor Emerita, draws upon her 21 years at Hofstra University (Hempstead, NY) when discussing issues in early childhood, elementary school and middle school; children's self-esteem and behavior management; diversity; special education and inclusion; language, literacy, and creativity; gifted and talented programs; and family/school relationships. She brings extensive experience as a lecturer, workshop leader, and keynote speaker for civic, social, and educational groups. Hempstead, NY

Go back to the state index
PENNSYLVANIA

Mary Anne Hannibal speaks to current issues and trends in early childhood, with an emphasis on advocacy strategies; research on intergenerational programs in early childhood classrooms; research on the young child's developing understanding of geometric concepts; and a disability awareness unit for the early childhood classroom. A former elementary school teacher, Hannibal also owned and operated a preschool. Erie, PA

Ellen R. Price-Maloy uses humor to inspire creativity and enthusiasm in her developmentally appropriate practice workshops. Price-Maloy covers a variety of academic topics, including math, science, music, physical education, discipline, special needs, cooking, and sign language. Her sessions include group participation and hands-on practices. Lansdale, PA

Go back to the state index
SOUTH CAROLINA

Patricia H. Kostell's lively and motivating presentations, "Planning With a Focus on Your State Standards," "Lifelong Problem Solving Techniques for Your Students," "Your Classroom Management" and "Strategies for Teachers Working with Children Exposed to Drugs," bring practical ideas to administrators and teachers. Kostell introduces new teaching techniques and planning strategies to help teachers improve instruction. A frequent speaker at state and national conferences, she has provided a national perspective on various topics in early childhood education in China, Russia, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Rock Hill, SC

Go back to the state index
TENNESSEE

Krystal L. Bishop specializes in Special Education, Multiage Classrooms, Language Arts-Whole Language, Teacher Affirmation, and Motivation. Collegedale, TN

Go back to the state index
VIRGINIA

M. Lee Manning uses firsthand experiences with young adolescents and middle school educators to bring a sense of realism and practicality to his professional presentations and workshops. In "Multicultural Education in Middle Schools," "Improving and Refining Middle School Concepts," and "Working with Learners At-Risk," Manning translates research and theory into practical application. His professional presentations and inservice workshops have received considerable praise from educators. Norfolk, VA

Go back to the state index
WISCONSIN

Michael Ford speaks effectively about best practices in elementary reading programs linking theory and practice. Ford actively involves audiences in exploring classroom-tested practical ideas and examining the best available research and theory supporting those ideas. He is the co-author of Reaching Readers: Flexible and innovative Strategies for Guided Reading, Where Have All the Bluebirds Gone? Transforming Ability Based Classrooms. Ford took personal leave from his position as a teacher-educator in the field of reading to return to his roots to teach in a first-grade classroom. He now serves as Associate Dean for the College of Education and Human Services for the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. He stays active in the field, working with teachers and their students at every opportunity. Oshkosh, WI

Go back to the state index

The Association for Childhood Education International
17904 Georgia Avenue, Suite 215 Olney, MD 20832-2277
Tel: 1(301)570-2111 1(800)423-3563
FAX: 1(301)570-2212
E-mail: aceihq@aol.com

To ACEI home page.