Rena Dubensky

Rena Dubensky holds a M.Ed. from the University of Maryland in Curriculum and Instruction and has worked in the field of early childhood education for 19 years.  Rena enjoys partnering with and learning from early childhood educators in her role as Quality Enhancement Specialist with the Montgomery County Child Care Resource and Referral Center. She was previously a Quality Assurance Specialist for Maryland EXCELS, director of an early childhood center in Potomac, MD and classroom teacher.  She is particularly interested in nature, science and outdoor education in early childhood and incorporating natural materials into early childhood pedagogy.  

Tiffany Carter

Teresa Delisi

Jennifer Ferreira

Junlei Li

Junlei Li

Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University, (2003)

Junlei Li is the Saul Zaentz senior lecturer in Early Childhood Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

His research and practice focus on understanding and supporting the work of helpers —  those who serve children and families on the frontlines of education and social services. Li studied and learned from a wide range of developmental settings with low resources but high-quality practices, including orphanages, childcare, classrooms, and community youth programs. He developed the "Simple Interactions" approach to help identify what ordinary people do extraordinarily well with children in everyday moments and made that the basis for promoting positive system change.

Li frequently delivers keynote presentations and workshops for national, state, and international conferences focused on improving practices, programs, and policies for children, families, and professionals, with a particular emphasis on early childhood development. He teaches about improving human interactions and supporting adult helpers. He serves on boards and advisory panels, including Child Care Aware of America, Parents as Teachers, Turrell Fund, Head Start National Center for Family and Community Engagement, and various initiatives at the U.S. Administration for Children and Families. Li’s work is significantly influenced and inspired by the pioneering work of Fred Rogers (creator of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood). He previously served as the co-director and Rita M. McGinley Professor for Early Learning and Children’s Media at the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College.

Saru Nithyanandam

As a passionate advocate for young children, youth, and their families, Saru serves as the Head Start PBIS – Program Specialist with Montgomery County Child Care Support Services. Saru has been in the ECE profession for more than twenty years and has more than twelve years of experience serving in an Early Head Start program in different leadership roles. She holds bachelor’s degrees in education, Chemistry, a master’s degree in English literature, and several certifications including Pyramid model, RIE – Foundational Course, CLASS, and as well as in PBC.

In her current role with the Montgomery County Child Care Support Services, Saru provides coordination and oversight of the implementation of the Promoting Positive Behavior Strategies and Pyramid model to the childcare providers, parents, and other ECE community providers. She is also a certified yoga teacher who teaches yoga and heartfulness meditation to the members of the community. Saru’s personal mission is “To motivate and empower dedicated individuals to gain, develop and enhance their professional and life skills and to make a positive impact on the future society.”

Sophia Watts-Jenkins