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PRESENTERS
PRESENTERS
MAIN SPEAKERS
MAIN SPEAKERS
Mary Rice Hopkins
For over five decades, Mary Rice Hopkins has been impacting families with her timeless music, becoming the soundtrack to generations of children's lives. Her impactful work, honored with the Parent's Choice and Legacy Awards, reflects her dedication to creating memorable and meaningful music, including Bible-based songs.
Darcie Maze
For over 40 years Darcie Maze has captivated the hearts of children and adults with her exceptional gift of puppetry. In addition, she is known nationally for her teacher training workshops and seminars, crossing many denominational lines. However, Darcie is best known for designing her own distinctive line of puppets that all have a removable heart. They are found in over 150 countries. One of her puppets is currently seen on the Cartoon Network.
Tom Wilbeck
Tom Wilbeck, MA, LPC, is a multi-instrumentalist who pulls audiences in with stories and a multitude of opportunities to join in the fun by becoming part of the show. You can see more of Tom's musical expression in his children's group Tom's Fun Band.
Peggy Osborne
Peggy has been a pastor’s wife since 1974 when she and Chris Osborne married. After serving in Oakwood, New Baden and Midland, Texas, they served together at Central Baptist Church in College Station, Texas for 33 years. Peggy has been in the field of education for over 25 years. She spent fourteen years in the elementary classroom teaching pre-k, kindergarten, second and fourth grades. In addition to consulting work, Peggy has enjoyed speaking at MOPS groups, women’s events such as “Advent By Candlelight” and women’s retreats. She enjoyed many years of teaching a women’s Sunday School class and various studies in her church setting.
Lori Buxton
Lori Buxton is the Executive Director of the Association for Early Learning Leaders and has been involved in early care and education since 1995. She has served children and their families on many levels, including classroom teacher, program director, children's pastor, executive administrator, training consultant, and national speaker. She has been a featured guest on Preschool Podcast, Rock Star Radio with Kris Murray, 1Place Podcast Series, “Excellence in Childcare'', Director Dialogues with Chanie Wilschanski, and is co-host “Small Talk! With Ron & Lori''.
Dr. Rick Chromey
Dr. Rick Chromey is an author, speaker and historian. His mission is to help people interpret history, navigate culture and explore faith to create trusted and transformative change. In 2017, he founded MANNA! Educational Services International to serve churches, Christian schools and faith-based organizations with "inspirational edu-trainment." He’s authored over 15 books on leadership, church ministry, classroom management, history and culture, including his most recent work titled GenTech: An American Story of Technology, Change and Who We Really Are (2020).
Karl Bastian
Pastor Karl Bastian has over thirty years of experience as a full time children’s pastor in large, small, and mobile churches. He is the founder of Kidology.org, one of the first and still leading Internet destinations for those who minister to children. He is the host of KidminTalk.com a popular children’s ministry podcast and is the creator of PastorKarl.com a positive media site for kids. He is a prolific writer of training resources, books, magazine articles, curriculum and is the creator of itBibleCurricululm.com. Karl has a Bible Theology degree from Moody Bible Institute and a Masters in Children’s Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Alba Bunnell
I have worked for twenty-nine years in early childhood as a teacher, administrator, and director for twelve years. I have a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and a Master of Science in Early Childhood Studies. I am a Texas trainer and a PD bilingual specialist. I am studying for my PhD Developmental Psychology. My vision and dedication are to guide early childhood educators and parents on positive and appropriate ways to foster the social, cognitive, emotional, and physical development of every child we encounter. My passion is communicating with colleagues, teachers, and parents about the importance and impact of our job in early childhood education.
Albert Wright
Albert Wright is a Master Trainer, Author, and host of a popular YouTube show. He is the epitome of someone who refuses to be defined by his circumstances. Albert holds a BS in Child Development as well as a Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education. Albert is a 3-time Trainer of the Year award winner and winner of numerous other awards and acknowledgements.
Kara Gore
Kara Gore is the CEO: Laugh N' Discover EC/PK and EC Boss Consulting​. She has Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Education, Grambling State University​. She is a Master of Education, Early Childhood Education, Stephe, F. Austin University
Natasha Harris
Natasha Harris is the Founder, Presenter & Executive Owner of Integrity Training & Professional Services. She has an Associate’s Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Natasha has also completed Master classes toward Organizational Leadership and Early Childhood Education for Childcare Administrators and Leaders. Integrity Training is also an approved credentialing organization with Childcare Licensing to provide Texas Director Credential Courses. As of 2023, Natasha has credentialed over 100 new directors and mentor numerous owners and directors across United States.
Lauren Osborne
Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University and earned her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Texas at Arlington. She taught school in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for eight years and has been consulting with and speaking for churches, school districts, childcare groups and parents since 2005.
Julie Hamilton
Julie Hamilton has served as an elementary physical education teacher, church preschool teacher, Mother’s Day Out director and Head Start teacher during her professional career. Her passion, drive and vision for early childhood learning make her a frequent presenter at conferences. Julie has also served as a consultant to churches and private programs regarding program analysis, teacher training and facility design. Julie’s true passion is in learning through outdoor classrooms. She is happiest when she and her students are covered in mud, goo, or water; even better if it is all three! The concepts of math, reading and social-emotional skills are all readily taught through activities in an outdoor classroom and the children just think they are playing. Shhhh! Don’t tell them they are learning!
Carrie Cutler
Carrie is a teacher of teachers. She regularly presents at local, state, and national conferences for elementary and early childhood education. Her books, Math-Positive Teaching: Questions and Answers for Elementary Educators (2025) and Math- Positive Mindsets: Growing a Child’s Mind without Losing Yours (2020) give practical advice to parents and teachers who want to help children succeed in math. In addition to mathematics, Dr. Cutler is an expert in developmentally appropriate practice and early childhood topics as diverse as mindful movement, art, STEM, and authentic assessment.
Laura Payne
Laura Payne is a former Teacher of the Deaf and sign language expert with a master’s in Education of theDeaf. Since leaving the classroom, she now teaches parents and educators how to effectively use signlanguage with 0-3 year old children, fostering early communication, confidence, and languagedevelopment.
Robin Rettie
Robin Rettie, M.Ed., Special Education combines components of evidenced-based behavior strategies, cognitive development, and neuroscience into The Anchor Teaching Framework, laying the foundation for self-regulation through measures supporting sensory processing and social-emotional learning for all settings and ages; Early Childhood through Adults, including the workplace setting. Robin has a life-time of experience; sibling to Laurie Lorraine Rettie (LLR) born with Microcephaly and 34 years directly in the field working to support individuals with neurological and genetic differences. Robin is the founder of Lighthouse Learning Resources (LLR – named in honor of her sister), an online specialty store, educational consulting, and educator and parent training company.
Kristin Miller
Dr. Kristin Miller is a Texas master trainer and certified child care consultant for early childhood programs. She holds a Bachelor's in early childhood education and a Master's in curriculum and instruction. Dr. Miller has a Ph.D. of Philosophy in Psychology, with a specialization in education. She has over 24 years of professional experience in the fields of education and is the owner of an educational services company, eTeachingMe. Dr. Miller teaches online CDA courses for early educators obtaining their CDA credential. She and her husband own a 501c3 non-profit called Parents' Pick Family Foundation and reside with their three children in Burnet, Texas.
Lynnette Tello
I have taught for the Houston Independent School District for 29 years. I have a Masters in Early Childhood from the University of Houston. I have been a classroom teacher in Pre-K, K, 1st and 2nd. I am currently a reading interventionist for Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 5th graders. My primary goal is to create a positive space for all children to feel safe and confident in their learning environment.
Kris Ramos
I currently serve as the Director of Lakewood Little People, a ministry of Lakewood Methodist Church. Following a 13 year career in public schools as a teacher and administrator, I found my calling to serve God and His people, both big and small, in this ministry where I have served the past 17 years. My passion for quality early childhood education and my experience as a teacher and leader are the driving forces behind my efforts to support, encourage, and empower parents, teachers and directors.
Shelley Akins
Come learn how to lead all the favorite worship songs that kids love to sing and dance to! Not only do the kids love it but you will too! Be prepared to to move and groove with high energy and worshipful songs for all your preschool kids!
Kids Praise! Kids Worship! Praise God!
Gene “Bubba’ Wright
I attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma on a football scholarship. It was there that I met my wife, Robin. After dating two weeks, I proposed, and we have been married now for 44 years. We have six children, three boys and three girls. We have three precious daughter-in-laws, two son-in-laws, seven awesome grandsons and five beautiful granddaughters! I have served in 3 churches as Children’s Pastor for over 21 years. Since April 2008, I have been traveling around the country doing children’s activities, training children’s workers, and conducting senior adult retreats and revivals. I have the ability to appeal to every age group. Having the ability to both teach and entertain at the same time, everything I do points men, women, boys and girls to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Debbie Tonne Jones
Debbie Tonne Jones, owner of Confident Director, brings over 20 years of early childhood education expertise to her role. With a Bachelor of Arts from Howard Payne University, she specializes in staff training, parent workshops, and program consulting, particularly in faith-based programs. Having served in various capacities, including teacher and program director, Debbie's passion lies in empowering directors and teachers to maximize their potential. She loves encouraging freedom in their roles through the "boring stuff" like budgets and labor laws, as well as in the "fun stuff" like risky play and natural environments!
Stella King
My name is Stella King. I graduated from Oklahoma state university with a degree in Leisure Studies and an emphasis in service management. I have been in the recreation field for over 25 years. I was a recreation coordinator for the City of Tulsa and have directed day camps, sleep away camps, and special events. I currently teach fit n fun at The Adventure Preschool and I just wrapped up my 10th year here. I have 2 young girls (13 and 11) that keep me exercising my heart on a daily basis. At Oklahoma State University our motto was we don't learn to play, we play to learn. I have adapted this motto into my lifestyle and I try to teach my students and my girls that learning is fun.
Reggie Hicks
Reggie Hicks is a professional ax throwing trainer with Tomahawk Targets HTX
Diane Goyette
Diane Goyette is a Master Registered Level Trainer with the Texas Early Childhood Professional
Development Sys-tem, a Child Development Specialist, & a certified Child Care Health
Consultant. She is the owner of Early Child-hood Specialties LLC, and serves as adjunct
profession at Sam Houston State University.
