MARIA TERESA RUIZ

My first experience in the field of early childhood education began as a mother of four children. I initiated my journey as a Migrant Head Start Parent when my oldest son was three years old. Parenting reaffirmed to my amazement the value and importance of the child's development in these early years. I hold a Masters of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and a Child Development Graduate Certificate enhancing my understanding and twenty-three years of practice in the field of early childhood education. I have served in different capacities as an instructional Para-Professional and Lead Teacher for both Federal and State Preschool Programs. As a Child Development Specialist, I have supported professional development workshops disseminating evidenced-based research for high-quality program improvement. Some of the in-service workshops focused on intentional strategies supporting staff response to challenging behaviors; play-based approaches to language and literacy development, music and movement as an engaging developmental approach supporting curriculum outcomes for children with special needs, and the language acquisition of English and Dual Language Learners. For the last ten years, I have been a CLASS™ reliable observer and worked with public agency mentoring educators. I am a certified STEM educator by the National Institute of STEM education (NISE). As a Child Development Specialist, I have presented at Early Childhood Education Conferences including the Society of Research in Child Development, pre-service Professional Development Seminars, and in-service workshops for Head Start Programs, State Preschool Programs, and Family Child Care Home Providers. Presenter at STEM Conference, CAEYC, NAEYC, and NHSA. As a co-founder of Purple i am, ( Early Childhood Education consulting project) my work was focused on best practices to individualize powerful and unique learning approaches that support high-quality early childhood education. And now as a consultant, I am dedicated to supporting educators in the continuous search of best practices in Early Childhood Education. I have a passion for STEAM experiences and creative-innovative approaches to engage educators in professional development opportunities that support best practices in serving young children and their families.