2012 ECSI Keynotes & Special Guests

Sharon MacDonald (Monday Keynote and Breakout)

Sharon MacDonald (www.sharonmacdonald.com) has been training teachers for more than 20 years throughout the United States on a variety of early childhood topics. Her training is based on her unique perspective from 28 years as an early-childhood teacher. Her practical ideas, down-to-earth approaches, and her enthusiastic presentation style will energize and delight you. You will be able to implement many of her ideas in your classroom right away.

Sharon is a transplanted Mississippian living in Tucson, Arizona with her husband, George. She has two adult children: Brad and Meg, who, as youngsters, were her guinea pigs for all of her songs and activities.

Sharon is a frequent keynote and featured speaker at national and state early-childhood conferences. And she has written many teacher resource books and children's stories, as well as, articles that have been published in variety of early childhood magazines. Check them out on the Articles section. Her books include: Squish, Sort, Paint and Build, Everyday Discoveries, Block Play, Sanity Savers for Early Childhood Teachers, Math in Minutes, (all published by Gryphon House), Portfolio and Its Use, 2nd Ed: A Roadmap for Assessment (published by the Southern Early Childhood Association), Assessment: A Portfolio Approach (published by Frog Street Press), and one song-lyric based activity book entitled Jingle in my Pocket Book (published by Grasshopper Press). Kaplan Early Learning published her new book It's in the Bag. Sharon has numerous children's book published by Kaplan and by Frog Street Press. She had contributed many elements to the Frog Street Press 2011 PreK Curriculum.

 

 

Dr. Jean Feldman (Tuesday Keynote and Breakout)

The noteworthy educational career of Dr. Jean Feldman (http://drjean.org/) has spanned more than 40 years. She has served as a classroom teacher, instructor of adults, author, and consultant. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the National Kindergarten Alliance, and the International Reading Association. Dr. Feldman’s list of degrees include a B.A. from the University of Georgia, a D.A.S.T. from Emory University, and both M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Georgia State University. Dr. Feldman inspires teachers across the country with her engaging songs and creative activities that help make teaching and learning FUN!

Among Dr. Jean’s many accomplishments is the authorship of several books, games and activities:

• Survival Guide for Preschool Teachers
• The Complete Book of Indoor and Outdoor

Games and Activities
• Transition Time
• Science Surprises
• Self-Esteem Activities
• Rainy Day Activities
• Wonderful Rooms Where Children Can Bloom
• Ready, Set, Read!
• Teaching Tunes
• Transition Tips and Tricks
• The Best of Dr. Jean Series
• Sing and Read Along Books
• I Love Letters
• Cheer Along with Dr. Jean

Dr. Jean has also published a number of recordings that are used by school systems throughout the country. The songs are uplifting for both children and adults. The titles include:
• Dr. Jean Sings Silly Songs
• Dr. Jean and Friends
• Sing to Learn
• Is Everybody Happy?
• Nursery Rhymes and Good Ol’ Times
• Kiss Your Brain!
• All Day Long
• Just for Fun
• Totally Math
• Totally Reading
• Happy Everything!
• Going Green with Dr. Jean
• Better Bodies and Brains