South Carolina Child Care Inclusion Collaborative

Registration for the 2025 Champions Symposium is open! Admission is $40.00. Click here to register.

Workshop Description:

We want to eliminate preschool suspensions and expulsion, but how do we break the cycle? We have the friendship and self-regulation strategies that you can use to help children build relationships and keep them engaged and learning.  This session will provide you with hands-on opportunities to create and take tools that can be used in your program or classroom.

About the Presenters:

Dana Bennett serves as a Technical Assistance Specialist with South Carolina Partnerships for Inclusion (SCPI). In this position, she provides training and technical assistance to districts to increase their use of evidence-based practices that support the inclusion of young children with disabilities in early learning programs. Dana holds a M.Ed. and has 18 years of experience teaching in the public school system. She has also served as a family childcare educator and an Inclusion Specialist. She has worked to promote inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood education environments throughout her career.

Joanne Osterland is a Pyramid Model Program Implementation Lead Program Coach, supporting child care centers with program-wide implementation. Joanne earned a BA in Early Childhood Education from Kent State University and a Master of Science in Special Education from Drake University. She has served as a teacher in toddler, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten classrooms, and as a director of programs serving infant through school-age children. Joanne is a Certified Trainer and Technical Assistance Provider with SC Endeavors. She is dedicated to helping teachers experience joy in their work as they implement best practices to support children's growth in social and emotional development.

Workshop Description:

"Preschool children are suspended up to three times more than students from kindergarten through 12th grades"

Open your heart; It’s a great start!

Open your mind; It’s a great find!

Building Resiliency, One Step at a Time!

In this session participants will experience the power of evidenced-based strategies in improving young children’s social, emotional and behavioral outcomes, pursuing the elimination of exclusionary practices.

About the Presenters:

Angela Compton is an education associate with the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Early Learning and Literacy.  Her educational background includes a master’s degree in Language and Literacy from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Winthrop University. Before joining the Office of Early Learning and Literacy, Angela served as an instructional coach with Laurens District 55 and a facilitator for the Read to Succeed courses through the University of South Carolina. She is passionate about igniting a spark for learning and setting EVERY child on a path for success by creating a supportive early learning foundation.

Anna Williams is an Education Associate with the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Early Learning and Literacy. Her educational background includes a master’s degree in Supervision and Leadership from Anderson University and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Anderson University. Before joining the Office of Early Learning and Literacy, Anna served as an early childhood teacher, interventionist and Literacy Specialist in Anderson District 5 and Greenville County.  She has a passion for working with early childhood educators and students throughout the state of South Carolina to promote an early learning foundation for our youngest learners.

(Part C Credit Approved)

Workshop Description:

Challenging behavior is the most commonly cited reason for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) being removed from preschool classrooms. Parents of these children also report higher rates of stress and reduced support.  Understanding ASD and learning strategies to respond to challenging behaviors can reduce classroom removals. This session will increase understanding and provide tools to support children with ASD and their families.

About the Presenters:

Amy Shapley-Farrell has worked in nonprofits for over 15 years leading programs in maternal-infant health, disability support and advocacy, and child welfare.  Amy has led local and statewide coalitions and parent leadership groups and worked as a consultant with numerous programs to build, fund, and deliver services and is a seasoned trainer, having presented at the local, state, and national levels.  Amy coordinates the outreach and education activities of the CRAwl program as well as administrative aspects of funding, tracking, and reporting. She also serves as Director of Community Programs for LuMind IDSC, A national Down syndrome support organization.  

Kate Chappell has been a nurse for over 20 years with bedside nursing and nurse practitioner roles. She has provided acute and chronic healthcare in various settings, including pediatric intensive care, pediatric neurology, and child advocacy centers. She is an experienced presenter on topics including pediatric health, multidisciplinary approaches, and social determinants of health at local, state, national, and international conferences. As Co-Program Director of CRAwl, Kate develops and provides trainings and leads program administration. She is a Professor in the University of South Carolina College of Nursing and serves as Department Chair of Professional Nursing Practice.

(Part C Credit Approved)

Workshop Description:

This session will define trauma, identify characteristics of children who have experienced trauma, and offer classroom strategies. Attendees will identify basic play therapy concepts through relationship-building and brain-based activities to reduce behaviors leading to suspension and expulsion. Attendees can implement these child-friendly examples in their schools to make small but meaningful changes in their own lives.

About the Presenters:

Dr. Jill C. Shelnut is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Teaching & Learning, instructing preservice teachers in Early Childhood Education. With a variety of experiences over two decades in education, Dr. Shelnut is a former early childhood and special educator who has worked in public and private school settings and early intervention. Additionally, Dr. Shelnut serves as a faculty advisor for the SCAEYC student organization at Clemson University. She is the mother of three wonderful boys, two aging dogs, and one ornery cat.

Amy M. Starkey has worked for over 25 years as a pediatric occupational therapist, specializing in school-based, mental health and public health with at-risk youth and underserved populations. She is the founder of YOGA-2-GO, a therapeutic yoga & mindfulness organization providing trauma-informed mental health and wellness enrichment programming for at-risk/underserved PreK-12 students. Ms. Starkey is a Certified Youth Mental Health Specialist, Certified Trauma Practitioner and Registered Yoga & Qigong instructor. She created the C.A.L.M SCHOOL© program to assist children in regulating their emotions, healing from trauma, and building optimal mental health using The ABCs of C.A.L.M© strategies. For information about YOGA-2-GO, go to www.missamysyoga2go.com.

Dr. Jennifer Geddes Hall is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist. She has worked as a school counselor and child/adolescent therapist in diverse urban and rural community/school settings. Currently, Dr. Hall is an associate clinical professor working with counselors in-training at Clemson University. Her areas of interest include incorporating play therapy and creative interventions to heal from trauma. Dr. Hall serves as the President-elect for the SC Association for Play Therapy.

(Part C Credit Approved)
 

Workshop Description:

When support feels limited, what can you do? This session equips early childhood educators with evidence-based inclusive strategies for addressing persistent challenging behaviors exhibited by young children. Through discussions and the exploration of resources, participants will build confidence in addressing challenging behaviors. The session also describes how Pyramid PICES and SCIC provide support and guidance, empowering early childhood education professionals.

About the Presenters:

Nicole Randall joined the Inclusion Team in March 2021, as a Project Manager. Prior to this role, she worked as a Behavior Specialist, supporting early childhood professionals in promoting young children's social-emotional development. With extensive experience in human services and early childhood education, Nicole has worked as a Preschool Teacher, Job Coach, Inpatient Discharge Planner, Adjunct Instructor, and Early Learning Coach. She holds a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction degree from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina, where she majored in Psychology.

Stephanie McAvoy is the Lead Behavior Specialist with the Pyramid PIECES Behavior Support Network Child Care Implementation Team. In this role, she provides behavior support services in child care programs throughout South Carolina. Stephanie has over 15 years of experience and holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education. She is excited to be a part of supporting children, their families, and the whole early childhood team through building relationships and supporting the implementation of evidence-based practices throughout South Carolina.

(Part C Credit Approved)

Workshop Description:

Navigating early childhood behaviors can feel overwhelming, but the right tools make it feel manageable. This session guides participants in quickly identifying triggers, responding effectively, and teaching alternative behaviors sustainably. Participants will apply these strategies to common classroom behaviors using real-life experiences and will leave empowered with practical techniques to renew their sense of control in the classroom.

About the Presenters:

Dallas Yoshida is a Behavior Specialist with Pyramid PIECES, where she assists early childhood educators by providing behavior support services in child care programs across the Midlands. Dallas is a licensed social worker with a background in early intervention and pediatric mental health and is a Certified Content Specialist Trainer and Specialized Technical Assistance Provider with SC Endeavors. Dallas holds nearly a decade of experience teaching and supporting diverse children and their families. She is dedicated to empowering early educators, children, and families through cultivating nurturing relationships and promoting use of evidence-based practices within the early childhood field.

Trisha Germain is a Behavior Specialist, providing behavior support services in child care programs throughout South Carolina. She holds her M.A. in Early Childhood with a Specialization in Teaching and Learning, along with her B.A. in Early Childhood Studies. She is also a Certified Trainer with SC Endeavors and has worked with Head Start, Parents as Teachers, and Early Head Start. Trisha has over a decade of experience teaching and mentoring young children with disabilities, developmental delays, and challenging behaviors. She is passionate about the opportunity to improve outcomes for children, families, and teachers within the South Carolina early childhood community.

Workshop Description:

Join Family Connection of SC in exploring the vital role of parent-school communication in fostering family engagement and improving student success. This session will provide parents and educators with practical, evidence-based strategies for developing and sustaining collaborative relationships and effective communication around student behavior.

About the Presenter:

Elizabeth Kinney is the Director of Special Education and Training for Family Connection of SC and has a passion for empowering parents to confidently collaborate in their child’s educational journey. She is a certified school psychologist and has worked in both public education as well as the private sector supporting children and families. Elizabeth is also a devoted mother of two, including a child with a rare genetic condition, which offers her a unique perspective both as a parent and a professional. Elizabeth holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and child development from Florida State University and a master’s and specialist degree in school psychology from Winthrop University.

(Part C Credit Approved)
 

Workshop Description:

Educators will discuss infant/toddler behaviors that they find challenging and explore methods to "go upstream" and identify potential causes of behavior, as well as address those potential causes by meeting children's needs.

About the Presenter:

Jessica Sharp is an experienced leader with over two decades of direct and indirect service to children and families in South Carolina. Prior to leading SCPITC, she managed the organization’s statewide Infant/Toddler Specialist Network. Jessica is steeped in the culture of child care in South Carolina, having begun her career as a care teacher of children birth to age five. Driven by her passion to serve children and families, she leads South Carolina’s infant/toddler early care and education quality initiatives. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from Furman University and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Early Childhood Education from Converse College.

(Part C Credit Approved)

Workshop Description:

We want to eliminate preschool suspensions and expulsion, but how do we break the cycle? This session includes make-and-take activities where we will discuss important  skills including emotional literacy and social problem-solving. These activities will keep children engaged and learning. During the session, you will create and take activities that can be used in your program or classroom.

About the Presenters:

Tanya Hutchinson serves as the Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) Coach. In this role, she supports school districts who have completed the SEIT Academy as they implement the special education itinerant model in preschool programs within their district.  Tanya holds an MA in Early Childhood Education with over 25 years in early childhood education, 15 of those years being an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Itinerant teacher. She has mentored first-year ECSE teachers and site-supervised student teachers. She holds teaching licenses in South Carolina, Early Childhood (Pk-3rd grade), ECSE (3-5 years old) and Colorado EC (0-8 years old), and ECSE Special Education.

Jo Wallace serves as a Technical Assistance Specialist with SCPI. In this position, she provides training and technical assistance to districts to increase their use of evidence-based practices that support the inclusion of young children with disabilities in early learning programs. Jo holds an M.Ed. in Educational Administration, is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree in Curriculum and Assessment and has over 10 years of experience teaching and working in the public school system. She has also served as an Early Interventionist working with children aged birth-three.

(Part C Credit Approved)

Workshop Description:

This session will introduce the Pyramid Model framework to participants and how the Pyramid Model can play a critical role in decreasing suspension and expulsion in early childhood environments. In this session, participants will explore evidence based practices designed to keep our youngest learners in the classroom where they can be successful and thrive!

About the Presenters:

Nichole Hudgens is a Pyramid Model Program Implementation Coach with the Pyramid PIECES team, supporting school districts with program-wide implementation. Prior to joining Pyramid PIECES, Nichole served as an Inclusion Specialist with the SC Inclusion Collaborative, and as Quality Coach with the South Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral Network for four years. Nichole earned a BA in Early Childhood Education from Clemson University and received her Master’s in Education from Ashford University. Nichole also taught pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and upper elementary school.

Kerri Wikel is the Pyramid Model Coordinator. She coordinates and facilitates the work of the State Leadership Team (SLT) and supports the work of the professional development network as they provide training and program coaching. Kerri holds a BA in Psychology and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina. Kerri is endorsed through the South Carolina Infant Mental Health Association as an infant family associate. She is passionate about promoting and supporting the cross-sector work of early childhood education professionals.