Pat Adams has worked in early childhood education for over 20 years, earning a Bachelor of Science in Community Recreation Programs, an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Masters Degree in Human Development. She started her career as a classroom aid in Dillon, Colorado, enrolling in Early Childhood Education classes and moving up to Co-Director and Head Teacher. She moved to Montana with her family to continue her education, while also working in the preschool at the University of Montana. Pat has worked with all age groups of children, from infants to school-age children and their families. For the past 11 years, she has taught Early Childhood Education classes for the University of Montana-Western in Missoula.

Course authored: What's With This Biting?

Renee Bentham holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's in Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She began her career in early childhood in 1992 as a family child care provider in Minneapolis, Minnesota. From there, she has worked as an Accreditation Coordinator, an in-home consultant for providers, and finally as the Department Manager for the Child Care Resource and Referral agency serving Minnesota's most heavily populated county. Through this work, Renee has had unique opportunities to see early childhood issues from urban, rural, immigrant and refugee perspectives. She has worked with Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees who faced cultural and language barriers with receiving child care; bringing these barriers to the attention of policymakers and funders. In the past, Renee worked for Child Care Resources as the Provider Services Coordinator, where she oversaw and developed training and resources for child care providers. She currently works as an adjunct faculty in the Early Childhood Program at the University of Montana – Western and as a coach/mentor for students who are pursuing AAS and BS degrees in that program.

Courses authored: Three Things You Can't Make Toddlers Do; The Image of a Child: Intro to Project Approach

Cathy Costakis holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Illinois and a Master's degree in Health Promotion from Montana State University-Bozeman. Currently, she is the Physical Activity Coordinator for the Montana Nutrition and Physical Activity program (NAPA). NAPA is a statewide obesity prevention program, funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located at MSU. Cathy is responsible for building partnerships statewide to implement evidence-based strategies that address environmental and policy approaches to promoting and supporting physical activity and reducing time spent in front of the television. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Society of Physical Activity Practitioners in Public Health and is a member of her local planning board.

Course authored: Young Children Growing Up in the Digital Age

Kaitlyn Emnett is enrolled in the University of Montana's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. She has a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Eastern Washington University. She has a particular interest in Prevention and Wellness Education, and plans to work with a neurological population as a licensed physical therapist.

Courses authored: Childhood Obesity

Lucy Hart Paulson, Ed. D., CCC-SLP, is a speech and language pathologist who has worked in public schools for many years , while maintaining a private practice specializing in the treatment of phonological disorders in young children. As an assistant research professor in the School of Education, she shares responsibilities for teacher training, supervising, outreach work, and research. She is the project director for an emerging literacy grant in the Division of Educational Research and Service at the University of Montana -Missoula . The project has developed a model that facilitates the development of emerging literacy skills in language and emerging literacy development , sharing developmentally appropriate activities that enhance emerging literacy skills in young children. She currently manages the Western Montana Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinic at the University of Montana, which serves young children with communication challenges.

Courses authored: Literacy-Rich Child Care Environments; Print in Preschool; Hickory Dickory Dock: Talk About Phonological Awareness

Christy Hill Larson has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Washington State University and has worked in the field of early childhood education in a variety of capacities for thirty-four years. Her experience includes working as a lead teacher in a private non-profit child care center, a Head Start teacher, a Head Start home visitor, the director of a child care center, an early childhood consultant and trainer, an early childhood advocate, and the Executive Director of the Montana Head Start Association. Currently, she is a special projects coordinator for the Early Childhood Project at MSU.

Couse authored: Introduction to the Pyramid Model

Deb Huestis holds Bachelor Degrees in Child Development and Family Relations and Cognitive Psychology from the University of Idaho. She has been involved in the Early Childhood Care and Education field for 19 years. She started her career as a preschool teacher and has worked her way through Education Coordinator of a Children's Museum, Early Childhood Core Instructor for UM Western, coordinator for Montana's Early Learning Guidelines Birth – 36 months, and is currently a PDS III for Child Care Solutions MT.

Courses authored: LCP Orientation; Making Math Count

Erin Lavender has spent 30 years in the field of Early Childhood Education, receiving her Bachelor's degree in Education from The University of Texas at Austin, and a Master's in Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction. She has taught pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, third grade, and Head Start. In June 2004, Erin was hired by the State of Montana as the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Coordinator, where she provided training and technical assistance as an independent contractor to Head Start and other early childhood programs. Currently her work includes teaching Early Childhood Classes in Helena as an adjunct faculty member of the University of Montana-Missoula.

Course authored: Explore the World: Science and Young Children

Lucy Marose holds a B.A. in Social Work and a M. Ed. in Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Special Education. Lucy began her career in education teaching in a Head Start classroom for several years. When her children were young, Lucy provided in-home child care, later completing the Graduate Preparation Project through Child Care Plus+ and the University of Montana-Missoula. She has worked as a Contract Program Evaluator and an Accreditation Observer for the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), and an Early Childhood Project Longevity Clause Observer. Lucy has been with Child Care Resources for almost three years, working as the Infant/Toddler Coordinator, an Inclusion Specialist, an Early Childhood Specialist, and a Professional Development Specialist. She also teaches both classroom and online courses for the University of Montana-Western.

Course authored: Positive Guidance in Early Childhood Settings

Shelly Meyer has a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from Montana State University and a Bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Science from Colorado State University. She has been Board Certified in Community Health Nursing since 1994. Shelly has been employed as a Public Health Nurse by Missoula City-County Health Department since 1992. She has coordinated a federal grant project for the state, Healthy Child Care Montana, as well as working in more traditional public health roles, such as well child clinics, infectious disease investigation, early childhood developmental screening, and HIV testing and counseling. Since 1992, Shelly has also specifically provided Child Care Health Consultation services in conjunction with Child Care Resources in Missoula. Those services include working with child care providers, children, and families to identify risk factors, develop policy, assess, educate and refer children to additional health or community resources. She has received additional training in inclusion through Child Care Plus + and First Start, in child care health consultation through the National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultation, and in child development through NCAST. She has presented on the state, regional, and national levels for the Montana Nurses' Association, the Montana Public Health Association, NACCRRA, the National American Indian Child Care Conference, and HRSA grantee meetings.

Course authored: Medication Administration in Child Care - Part 1, Medication Administration in Child Care - Part 2, Medication Administration in Child Care - Refresher, Safe Sleep in Child Care

Jessica Miller received a B. A. in Psychology from the University of Montana in 1999. Jessica worked as the Executive Assistant at Child Care Resources for over four years, where her experience provided detailed involvement in the various programs CCR offers. Jessica was very involved with CCR's Online Training program and edited all course content and managed the administrative features of the site. Presently, she works as the Office Manager for the Public Works Department at the City of Missoula.

Courses authored: Beyond the Belly: The How and Why of Food Variety; Meals Without Squeals

Joshua Parks is a graduate of the University of Montana. He holds a B.A. in French literature and is currently a graduate student at the Université de Toulouse II-le Mirail in the south of France. The son of a childcare provider, Joshua developed an interest in food at a very young age, preparing his first helping of escargot (snails in a black butter garlic sauce) at thirteen. Pursuing French as a means to enter a culinary profession, he was quickly sidetracked by a love of literature. Although not his career, cuisine and nutrition continue to be a life-long passion. In between term papers he is most often found taking courses from professional chefs in the French city of Toulouse.

Courses authored: High Energy with High Fiber

Trish Pierson received her Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children from Vermont College in 2002. Her degree allows her to combine her two favorite things: writing and learning about/working with children. She's taken courses in child development, education, psychology and science, in addition to courses in children's literature. She began working for Child Care Resources in 2001, and during her tenure, wrote courses for early child care professionals, allowing her to learn even more about children and child development.

Courses authored: Brain Development I – The Beautiful Brain; Brain Development II – Building a Better Brain; The Early Learning Environments: Floors, Ceilings, and Walls; Us and Them: Exploring Diversity in Early Childhood Programs

Lori Rittel holds a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics - Pre-Dietetics, and a Master of Science in Food Science and Nutrition. She has worked with families and children in the nutrition field for over 15 years, starting her career as an instructor in the Food Science Lab at Montana State University after earning her Bachelor's degree. Lori has worked as a community nutritionist, a nutrition consultant, a public health nutritionist and a food columnist. She worked as a Public Health Nutritionist for the State of Montana Child and Adult Care Food Program for over four years, developing and presenting numerous trainings. She is currently employed by the Montana WIC Program in Helena as a Public Health Nutritionist.

Courses authored: My Pyramid: The New Food Pyramid & Cooking with Fruits and Veggies; Save Money with Low-Cost, Nutritious Meals; Handling Picky Eaters; Fun Snacks with A, C, and I; Fit is Fun

Kelly Rosenleaf has been the Executive Director of Child Care Resources since 1996. Prior to joining Child Care Resources, Kelly directed several non-profit organizations, including a micro-enterprise program. In that capacity, Kelly offered business consulting and facilitated financing to very small businesses, including child care. Kelly brings over 25 years of organizational management experience, including personnel management, marketing, financial management and advocacy work to her position at Child Care Resources. She has developed and delivered training specifically for the early childhood industry on these topics.

Course authored: Personnel Management for Child Care Centers

Lauralea Sanks has been in the Early Childhood Education field for over 20 years, working with children from the age of two weeks to eight years old. Lauralea holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Special Needs. More than half of her career has been spent working exclusively with infants and toddlers. She and her husband are both Infant/Toddler Certified and operate their own National Association for Family Child Care accredited infant and toddler program in Missoula, Montana. She has been a mentor in Child Care Resources' Infant/Toddler Mentoring Program and Accreditation Mentoring Program for the past seven years. She loves learning and reading about new ideas or perspectives, and plans to work in the Early Childhood Education field all her life.

Courses authored: Shattered Spectrums – The Complexities of Autism; Expressive Language in Early Childhood; Receptive Language – The Ability to Comprehend Information

Barb Sherrill worked in Montana's public school system as a primary teacher and program coordinator for over 30 years. Barb also taught adult education and presented many workshops for teachers throughout Montana and the U.S. Barb holds a B.S. and a Master's of Human Services. Barb worked with child care providers and developed curriculum with Child Care Resources in Missoula, Montana for five years. Barb is currently the Director of Early Head Start in Missoula.

Revised Explore the World: Science and Young Children; Course developer for the book discussion Taking Back Childhood: A Proven Roadmap for Raising Confident, Creative, Compassionate Kids and the book discussion Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

Jennifer Swartz works as a Professional Development Specialist for Child Care Resources. Jennifer has worked in early childhood education since 1997. Her experience varies from family home child care provider, Assistant Director of NAEYC accredited Montessori preschool, to Quality Coaching, parenting class coordination, professional development coordination, conference planning, work in both the Language Arts and Math classrooms of Adult Basic Education, and a thorough knowledge of the Pyramid Model (CSEFEL). Jennifer has worked with children with special needs ranging from both physical and cognitive delays to learning differences and behavior challenges. Jennifer earned a B.A. from the University of Montana and achieved a Level VI on the Child Care Practitioner's Registry through the Early Childhood Project at Montana State University-Bozeman. She also is a member of the Trainer Registry.

Course Authored: A Better Approach to Feeding: Ellyn Satter's Division of Responsibility; Going City Green; Going City Green; Around the Table; Managing Your Child Care Business - CACFP Program Management

Debra Taylor-Cragg has her Master's degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Family Communication and Education Communication. For 16 years she was an adjunct professor in the Communication Studies Department at the University of Montana, as well as working as the Keeping Everyone in Childhood Programs (KEEP) Coordinator for Child Care Plus+. Debra has taught elementary students in several Montana communities and school systems, including a rural school with 52 children in grades K-8. Much of her work has been with primary grades, involving remedial support for children from transient families, children learning English as a second language and children waiting for special education services. Debra has also been an Early Childhood trainer for Child Care Resources. Presently, she works in the Adult Education Department for Missoula County Public Schools.

Course authored: Focus on Curriculum: The Learning Cycle

Larry Williams graduated from the University of Montana with a B.A. in Business Administration-Finance Emphasis in 1997. In addition to eight-and-a-half years in banking, Larry spent three-and-a-half years as a Loan Fund Manager at Montana Community Development Corp (MCDC), a non-profit organization serving the needs of small businesses in Western Montana. During his time at MCDC, Larry worked with the Montana Child Care Resource & Referral Network to establish and administer the Child Care Loan Fund for child care providers statewide. He has trained business owners to the professional level in QuickBooks, the Microsoft Office products suite, and several other software applications. Larry has been a presenter at Child Care Resources' Spring Conferences teaching basic Excel skills as well as Quick Books. He is a firm believer in, and a dedicated practitioner of, the “Keep It Simple” philosophy. Larry is currently Vice President in Commercial Lending at Community Bank-Missoula, Inc.

Course authored: Basic Bookkeeping Practices for Your Child Care Business

Leann Worden received a B.A. in Psychology with an emphasis in Child Development and a Minor in Human and Family Development from the University of Montana. She has taught in a variety of early childhood programs, recently serving as the Director of a licensed preschool program. Leann served as an Education Manager at a Head Start program for six years where she achieved NAEYC Accreditation for the program and over-saw all State Licensing Requirements, Head Start Performance Standard implementation and services to low-income children and their families. Her experience also includes providing training and technical assistance to other early childhood professionals and licensed child care facilities. She is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector with the National Playground Safety Institute. Leann has spent the past two years achieving reliability in the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale, Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale, Program Administration Scale, and the Business Administration Scale. Currently she is working with the Early Childhood Services Bureau as The Best Beginnings Program Specialist who over-sees the Montana Quality Rating System (QRIS) and its implementation.

Course authored: The Environment Rating Scales (ERS)