Michele Hollander, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist for Early Childhood Services in the Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County Government. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Hollander has more than 25 years of experience working with families and children with developmental disabilities, including private practice and consulting to individuals, schools, group homes, and agencies. Currently, Dr. Hollander provides psychological evaluations for young children (many of whom are suspected to be on the Autism Spectrum) for the Montgomery County Infants and Toddler’s program and behavioral consultation for parents of preschool age children.

Julie Billingsley moved to the USA from the UK in 2007 currently works as a music teacher in Montgomery County and DC in five Montessori schools, teaching 2 to 6 year-olds. She also trains student teachers at the Institute for Advance Montessori Studies at the Barrie school. She is an accredited advanced trainer for the Maryland State Department of Education and a member of the American Montessori Society. Julie holds a Master’s degree in Music Education and plays a number of instruments including, guitar, mandolin and most recently Ukulele.

Esteban Morales, Educational Director, CentroNia Institute, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Bilingual Special Education from George Washington University and a Master’s degree in educational Administration from Trinity University. He has 30 years of experience working in the educational field in a variety of roles: teacher, coordinator, coach, principal, adjunct professor, educational director, educational consultant. In 2014 along with his colleague Heriberto Velasquez, Esteban wrote and published CIRPA (CentroNia Institute Reflective Practice Approach). He is a certified CLASS Trainer & Observer for the levels of Infants and Toddlers.

Steve Rohde is Deputy Director for Resource and Referral Services for the Maryland Family Network/MFN (a merger of Maryland Committee for Children and Friends of the Family) and the Maryland Child Care Resource Network. Steve has been a preschool classroom teacher, a child care center director, a child care specialist with municipal and county licensing programs, a trainer, a county and state administrator for licensing, and an Acting Executive Director for a major Maryland nonprofit. Steve was also adjunct faculty with Stevenson University (formerly Villa Julie College) for five years. Steve worked with the Center of Technology Education (CTE) at John’s Hopkins University (JHU) training their staff on an assessment for the research project CTE/JHU conducted of the Maryland EXCELS Program. Steve is President of the board of Child Care Aware of America. Steve has a Bachelors and Masters degrees in Early Childhood Education from Towson University. Steve has been married for over 39 years, has a great wife, two wonderful daughters, and has three preschool granddaughters.

Heriberto Velasquez, Educational Coordinator, CentroNia Institute, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood from Antioch College in Yellows Springs, Ohio. He has been working in the Early Childhood field for the past 13 years. Heriberto also worked as a volunteer social worker abroad in Quito, Ecuador as well as in Morelia, Mexico. In 2014 along with his colleague Esteban Morales, Heriberto wrote and published CIRPA (CentroNia Institute Reflective Practice Approach). He is a certified CLASS observer in Infants andToddlers and Pre-K.

Vilma Williams, Senior Manager, Multilingual and Special Programs at the Council for Professional Recognition has been involved in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 30 years. She studied Early Childhood Education/Child Development at Catholic University, Howard University, and University of the District of Columbia. She speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese. She is an expert presenter and trainer. Mrs. Williams has received numerous awards for her continuous work/dedicated service to the field of ECE. Specifically, for her work and dedication to Latino children, families and community, Migrant community, Indigenous nations in the USA, the Military community, and for her international work on behalf of the Council for Professional Recognition.