Home | Best Arts Conference

Ashley Mills Monaghan, BFA, H.Dip

Description: Music and rhythm have a way of targeting the executive functioning in the brain and its emotional centers to actively improve learning and memory so why not use more of it in the classroom to help with our children's learning? In this crash course, teachers will learn the benefits of music and how to use more of it in their classrooms. From tricks and tips on using music for lining up, cleaning up, circle time fun, attention grabbers, transitioning activities to learning songs that go along with common curriculum themes and ways to write your own songs to go alongside your own curriculum, using music should be a part of your student's every day learning. You don't even have to know how to play an instrument. You just need some helpful tools and songs in your back pocket to use as part of your curriculum to enhance their learning. Music is getting lost in our schools - give your students the gift of music. Let's learn and play - the musical way!

Bio: Ashley Mills Monaghan (Ashley Mills Music) is an award-winning children’s musician, producer, author and early childhood music educator. When she is not busy with recording projects and performing at children’s events, she runs her music enrichment program in preschools around her community and hosts music classes through the CRC in Wilmington and Inglewood. Over the years, she has worked hard to create a music program that combines early childhood music education, music therapy and her Montessori training to utilize music as a tool in early childhood development and learning. She continues to create inspiring and intentional music for young children (and their caregivers and teachers) and has a second album due out this year. She has won several awards over the years for her children’s book and music including ‘Finalist’ with International Songwriting Contest and an ‘Honorable Mention’ with International Readers Favorite Award. Ashley is a member of ASCAP, Children’s Music Network and The Recording Academy.

Kiesha Stotko, M.S., CCLS, RCYT (Session 2 only)

Description: Come discover the many ways you can incorporate mindful movement and breath into your work with children. In this interactive workshop we will explore how yoga and mindfulness can flow seamlessly into your classroom routines and learn how these practices support classroom wellbeing. Hopefully you will walk away with a couple of new ideas on ways to cultivate more gratitude and joy in your classroom.

Bio: Kiesha Stotko has served children and their families in early education, non-profit, and hospital settings over the last 16 years. With certifications in child life and yoga she enjoys supporting families as they navigate the ups and downs of early childhood. Kiesha currently shares yoga with the children at Pacific Oaks Children's School and in homes with families across Los Angeles. She is working on her Doctor of Education from Pacific Oaks College, researching mindfulness in the early childhood education classroom. While incorporating yoga and mindfulness into her personal life, she loves the giggles and playfulness her three-year-old which adds to her practice.

Judy Krause, Ed.D.

Description: Are you just starting your journey with young children? Maybe you’ve been working in the field for many years… we’ve been waiting for you! Join this interactive presentation and discover how to build bonds and connections through music. Be prepared to get up and move as you establish connections with your neighbor.

Bio: Dr. Judy Krause serves as Executive Director, Early Childhood as well as Program Director, Doctor of Education in ECE program in the Early Childhood Education Department at Pacific Oaks College. She has been working with young children and their families since 1978 and began her work with college students in 1989. Dr. Krause's research focuses on developmentally and culturally appropriate pedagogy and she enjoys presenting hands-on, interactive workshops at the national, state and local level. In her spare time, she takes joy in traveling along the coast with her husband, as well as spending time with her grandchildren.

Bryana Casas, M.A.

Description: Are you passionate about helping children create deeper connections with the natural world? This workshop will focus on how to encourage environmental stewardship with the support of literature and pre literacy activities.

Bio: Bryana Casas is currently a Master Teacher at Pacific Oaks Children's School. She received her Master's in Early Childhood/Primary Education at California State University of Los Angeles.
She is a member of the LA STEM Collective. She has given professional development workshops at Pacific Oaks Children's School, the Early Childhood STEM Conference and the California Association for the Education of Young Children conference. She has also been a panel speaker, panel host, and organizer for the City of STEM and LA Maker Faire.

Sundrina Cottrell

Description: Join us for this fun, interactive, live storytelling workshop! Learn how to effectively use felts, puppets and props to engage learners and enhance English and Spanish literacy through math, science and social emotional curriculum! Get inspired AND take home a 20 page handout of application material that you can use immediately!

Bio: Since earning her child development degree-specializing in preschool-in 2011, Sundrina Cottrell has taught in a variety of settings and is driven by a passion for teaching early learners. Sundrina’s family puppet business of 30 years has facilitated relationships with a wide range of other teachers, care givers, librarians, and story tellers which fosters a community of shared knowledge and ideas. As a result of her two careers, Sundrina has realized a passion for presenting workshops to early educators like herself. She has been doing this for the past 10 years and she continues her own education in the conference setting. This presenter has a deep understanding of children, experience as a teacher, knowledge of the classroom and home care settings, years of detailed work with felts and puppets, and hours spent continuing her education and researching current curriculum. She is a wife, mother, teacher, student, puppet maker, curriculum specialist, and professional storyteller.

Juliana Escudero, M.A.

Description: Join us for a creative and engaging workshop where children ages 3 and up will explore important social justice themes through the magic of puppetry and storytelling. We'll begin by reading age-appropriate books that introduce concepts like fairness, kindness, and inclusion. These stories will serve as inspiration for our puppet-making activity. Children will have the opportunity to create their own unique puppets, bringing characters and ideas from the stories to life. This hands-on experience allows children to process and interpret these complex topics in a fun and accessible way, fostering their own understanding of social justice and empowering them to express their thoughts and feelings. This workshop encourages independent interpretation and creative expression, building confidence and fostering empathy in our youngest learners.

Bio: Juliana’s interest in the field of Early Childhood Education began with her Mexican tradition which was that the oldest children take care of the younger children in the family. Since Juliana was the youngest in her generation it was ingrained in her to teach the next generation of children. Also, Juliana’s mother had a home daycare, so her childhood was filled with infants and toddlers.
Her educational background helped her understand child development theorists, and curriculum inspired by Reggio Emilia. She studied at Cerritos Community College (AA Early Childhood Development), University of La Verne (BS Child Development), and California State University, Long Beach Early Childhood Development (MA). As she reached higher educational degrees, she searched for companies that valued her education and background experience.
She currently is a Lead Infant Teacher at Discovery Days Preschool. She has been previously employed by Pacific Oaks Children's School, Bright Horizons, The Children’s Center at Caltech, and Cerritos College Child Development Center. In addition to her work experience, she was a mentor for California Early Childhood Mentor Program which partnered with Rio Hondo College. As a mentor, Juliana empowered future generations of educators with planting a seed of passion and curiosity of continuous learning. Through her experience, education, and different roles as an Educator, Juliana is a storyteller and a “geek” when discussing the why’s of why an Educator presents material, routines, and scaffolding children’s interests.

Michelle Moen, M.A.

Description: This workshop will empower teachers to make (and use!) puppets. We will cover why puppets are important in classrooms, different types of puppets, and how to expand your puppet inventory inexpensively by using recyclable treasures.

Bio: Michelle received her Masters Degree from CSULB and teaches at El Camino College. She has over 20 years of experience teaching young children in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and California. She also keeps busy with her roles as a consultant, guest speaker, artist, and professional storyteller.

Lynette Ridgel

Description: Create lots, waste not. Explore how recyclables allow children to explore open-ended activities; allowing children to express their ideas and build upon their own experiences, bringing these experiences into their creative imagination.

Bio: Lynette’s teaching career started with operating an in-home based childcare facility for over 20 years. After raising her children, she decided to continue her education. She believes one is never too old or young to explore to gain knowledge.
Her Early Education journey has led her down many paths to enriching children’s knowledge by way of a creative curriculum to academic success. Lynette has obtained years of early childhood experience by working at home school enrichment program various colleges, state funded, and head start preschools, private schools, schools that assist children with special needs and school age programs. She has experienced many enriching school environments in such a way that it allows her to mentor others by thinking “outside of the box.” As an educator she has continued to grow and embrace the need for early education experiences for children and families and has been able to share new ideas that help children to engage creatively in a way which they hadn’t before.

“Who you are makes a difference”

Monique Le, M.A.

Description: Dive in and explore the ways you can make storytelling an enriched multi-sensory experience! Learn how to foster inclusivity and engagement–across all levels of development–by honoring different learning styles while simultaneously speaking to the whole child. Children possess an innate sense of curiosity that drives them to explore and learn about their surrounding environment. Leave inspired by their inquisitive nature and ready to ignite learning in a more meaningful way!

Bio: Monique Le received her B.S. in Child Development from the University of La Verne and soon after her Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College. She has been recognized throughout her career for her vibrant leadership, her advocacy toward inclusive practices, and dedication to facilitating exceptionally enriched early childhood experiences. However, for the last five years, she has had the unequivocal honor and privilege to be within arm’s reach of her two children for each and every developmental milestone. The two most important children in her life have inspired her to explore publishing a children’s book, designing a play-based early literacy program, and as of recently, the production of an engaging and developmentally appropriate homeschool curriculum.

Rokeya Rahman, M.A.

Description: This workshop will emphasize strategies to enrich the block play area in the early childhood classroom with practical, hands-on, and creative experiences that are highly relevant for young children. Since block play and woodworking activities provide an open-ended platform for children, supporting their physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development, it is imperative to have this essential learning area in every early childhood classroom. Through this presentation, the presenter will share innovative ideas and strategies for incorporating block play into the visual art curriculum for young children. This workshop will also highlight the connection between children’s block play and woodworking experiences, as measured by the Preschool Learning Foundations, DRDP, and ECERS.

Bio: Rokeya Rahman is a full-time faculty in the Child, Family, and Education Studies Department at East Los Angeles College (ELAC). She has worked closely with children and families for more than fifteen years as a preschool teacher, site program supervisor, site director, and instructional coach. Besides teaching classes, she presents parenting training and workshops throughout California for large and small groups of teachers, students, and conference attendees. Rokeya is also a facilitator for the ELAC campus community with such workshops as “Creating Classroom Community,” “Student-Centered Classroom: How to Implement the Student’s Perspective,” “Six

Success Factors,” etc. Additionally, Rokeya offers soft-skills training, child development workshops, and parenting classes for ELAC students and the local community. Rokeya earned her A.A. from LA City College, her B.A. and M.S.S. from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, and a master’s from Cal State Northridge. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in ECE at Pacific Oaks College.