Reimagine Childhood

Dr. Sharon R. Jackson is a life-long early childhood advocate and a seasoned professional with experience in local, state, and national presentations throughout her career. She is an encourager by nature…From a background that includes public schools, military childcare centers, faith-based organizations, and for-profit settings, her experience is not only wide-ranging but also deeply grounded in...

Today's guest is Prerna Richards, a conference attendee favorite!  Prerna is an international speaker, coach, and consultant who has been in the early childhood field for almost four decades. She founded Together We Grow a few years ago as a coaching and education provider for early childhood educators and parents. She believes every child is born capable and intelligent and deserves the best star...

I'm looking forward to introducing you to our podcast guest today.  Julie Hammer is a Christ-follower, wife, mom, and minister to preschoolers and kids - in that order! She serves as Children's Minister and Interim Preschool Minister at First Baptist Church Lewisville, Texas, where she oversees weekday ministry. Julie also leads conferences for Texas Baptists and serves as a part of the Texas Bapt...

Today, there is no special guest, all you have is me, Monica Healer, your host. Today, we're discussing the importance of play for adults by prioritizing activities that bring joy. I know the realities of stress and burnout that many early childhood leaders and teachers experience are real. This is why engaging in activities that stimulate creativity and improve brain functionality is so important...

I'm chatting with another of our summer keynote presenters today – Shaneil Yarbrough, affectionately known as "PJ" in her circles! You are going to love her.  PJ has a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education with a minor in early childhood education from Southern Arkansas University. Her professional career spans over twenty years within the education field, with children at the heart o...

Our guest today is Stacy Benge.  If you've attended any of our summer conferences over the last few years, you've probably heard from Stacy! She is an early childhood speaker who approaches learning in the early years with practicality and common sense. Standing firm on the truth that children learn best through simple, authentic experiences, Stacy advocates for child-led play to build solid found...

Today I'm chatting with Dr. Mimi Larson, Executive Director of the Center for Faith and Children and Assistant Professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Mimi, a scholar-practitioner and advocate for children's spirituality, brings over 25 years of experience in ministry and curriculum development. She focuses on children's faith formation, in particular, how young children make meaning of...

Today's guest is Sarah Scrivens. Sarah has over 15 years of diverse experience in the education field. She has served as an early childhood consultant, preschool director, and classroom teacher. For the past several years, Sarah has provided educators across the nation with professional development and instructional coaching through Building Brains. Sarah is passionate about spreading the importan...

Patty Shukla is an award winning American singer, songwriter, musician, author, and keynote speaker.  She specializes in music tailored to early childhood curriculum. Her expertise stems from her pioneering work in educational and interactive music videos on YouTube since 2009, captivating millions worldwide on her youtube channel. Patty is part of the worship team at her church and spent years le...

  Today, I get to have a conversation with Sharon Burnett.  Sharon is a publisher and co-founder of two early childhood companies, most currently – CELEBRATE Successful Early Learning. The company creates supplemental big books, little books, music, and digital e-Stories based on a foundation of FUN and SUCCESS for our youngest learners. You might recognize the "Sing and Read" books like "Apple An...

I have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Beverly Alford on today's episode of Reimagine Childhood.  Beverly is a staunch advocate for meaningful play. An Associate Professor of Early Childhood, her focus is on children, ages birth through age seven years. She is particularly fascinated by how young children develop in play-based, non-traditional education settings, as well as the effects of stand...

Today on Reimagine Childhood, I have the privilege of chatting with Dr. Pam Rinn.  Pam is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice with Acorn Counseling Education Services.  She has over 25 years of experience helping families with young children and adolescents navigate their life course.  Dr. Rinn spent almost two decades as the Program Director of Camp Fire First Texas, prov...

My guest on today's episode is Debbie Jones.  Debbie is the lead trainer and owner of Confident Director, a company that provides coaching, consulting, training, networking, and online courses.  She enjoys guiding directors and teachers to reach their unique potential in their professional roles.  She has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education working with faith-based and secular...

My guest today is Faith Rivera. Faith has worked with a variety of programs supporting children, youth, and young adults through nonprofits, faith-based organizations, universities, and health care over the last decade. Faith is passionate about ensuring families have access to the resources and services they need to raise their children well and for service providers to have the support to offer...

For over 30 years, Kathy's passion has been early childhood education. She has an education degree from Texas Tech University and taught for Coppell ISD and Hurst Euless Bedford ISD right here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area before starting her true love of teaching and directing weekday early childhood programs. She led a faith-based school in Fort Worth for several years and recently shifted her d...

Today, our guest on Reimagine Childhood is Tiffany Crow, a Behavior Analyst. Tiffany's expertise also extends to providing behavioral training and consultations across various domains, including school districts, religious organizations, and nonprofit entities. As the Clinical Supervisor of an ABA Clinic, she offers essential behavior strategies to both staff and families through Telehealth servic...

Our guest today, Evelyn Knight, is driven by a mission to ensure every child receives the love they deserve. As an experienced childcare center owner with over 25 years in preschool education, she provides coaching and mentoring to ECE directors and owners. She currently stands as the visionary CEO of Child Care Business Professionals and hosts The Childcare Business Coach Podcast. Inspired by 1 J...

Today's guest is Erin Brady – she serves as a College Associate Minister at The Way - a ministry to college students at Indiana Ave Baptist Church in Lubbock, TX. She holds a business degree from Lubbock Christian University. She would describe herself as happily belonging to Jesus Christ and she gets fired up about people knowing Jesus and allowing Him to change their lives. In this podcast episo...

Today, we have Michelle Pinkston, Global Director of the Prestonwood Christian Learning Center, discussing a special event called "The Journey to Bethlehem," aimed at teaching young children about the birth of Jesus. She has a passion for teaching young children the truth of the Gospel in age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate ways. In this podcast episode, Michelle talks with Monica abou...

Macy Dickson, a registered nurse who is now a stay-at-home mom, joins Monica on this episode.  Macy has a heart for the Lord and really wants to see moms and, women, in general, glorify the Lord in all they do.  She serves as part of the women's ministry team at her home church in Lubbock, Texas - Indiana Ave Baptist Church where she helps lead a Mom-to-Mom ministry.   In this podcast episode, Mac...

Our guest on this episode is Chad Oliver, an elementary school PE coach in McKinney, Texas. This is his 26th year in education. Chad and Monica serve together in student ministry at their home church of First McKinney.  Chad is passionate about children's health and learning and he shares Jesus however he can.  He currently teaches in a Title I elementary school where many parents are absent – som...

Our guest today, Paula Miller, is a seasoned Weekday Education Director with almost three decades of experience. As an energetic motivator, Paula offers visionary leadership grounded in faith, inspiring and empowering others to create a positive impact on the lives of young children and their families. Paula is also a certified Outdoor Training Specialist through the Outdoor Classroom Project. She...

Our guest today, Jerri Thompson, is an unstoppable force with 35+ years of early childhood expertise! She currently serves as an administrator at a NAEYC accredited program in Austin and as President of the Austin Chapter for the Texas Association for Young Children. Jerri's passion lies in teaching adults, advocacy, and crafting top-notch curriculum and assessment tools. Jerri is a Master Registe...

Our guest today, Kristin Mathis, is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist with expertise in sensory, learning, behavior, and attachment issues in children. With a background as a weekday teacher and former Weekday Director at FBC Carrollton, TX, Kristin holds degrees in Family and Child Development from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman's University. Cu...

Our guest today, Julie Hamilton, is an educator with a diverse background. She has served as an elementary physical education teacher, church preschool teacher, Mother's Day Out program director, Head Start teacher, and the list goes on! Currently, she consults with churches and private programs, assisting them with program analysis and facility design. She is passionate about learning through out...