Speaker Bios
Dr. Amie Bettencourt, PhD
Amie Bettencourt, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist and an Associate Professor in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine with joint appointments in the Johns Hopkins Schools of Public Health and Nursing. Her work as a clinician, researcher, and trainer focuses on increasing access to pediatric mental health services through integrating evidence-based interventions into early care and education, school, and primary care settings. Dr. Bettencourt specializes in infant and early childhood mental health and development with a focus on the prevention and treatment of disruptive behavior problems. She has particular expertise in parenting interventions and is the Director of Training for the Chicago Parent Program. She is also the Director of Research and Evaluation for Maryland Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatric Primary Care which is an effort to expand mental health services access through workforce development of pediatric primary care providers, emergency medicine providers and behavioral health providers.
Kelly Goldberg, M.S., CCC-SLP
Kelly Goldberg, M.S., CCC-SLP is a pediatric speech-language pathologist, early intervention specialist, and former in-home child care owner. She earned both her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Speech-Language Pathology and has been a licensed SLP since 2009. Kelly has spent her career working with children from birth to age five in homes and child care settings focusing on supporting providers caring for children with special needs and teaching strategies for communication, feeding, early literacy, behavior, and more. Today, she combines her clinical expertise and childcare experience to create trainings for early educators that address real problems with practical solutions so providers feel more confident and better equipped to support every child in their care.
Tracy Gomer, M.Ed.
Tracy Gomer is a highly accomplished early childhood professional with more than 25 years of experience supporting young children, families, and early childhood educators. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of leadership and instructional roles, including director, lead teacher, child development specialist, and child care support and behavior specialist. She holds an M.S. in Elementary Reading and Literacy from Walden University and a B.S. in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Frostburg State University. As a certified professional development educator, Tracy brings deep knowledge, practical experience, and a strong commitment to helping early childhood professionals strengthen their practice.
Shelby Hicken, M.Ed.
Shelby Hicken, M.Ed. holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona, a Master’s in Education from Loyola University Maryland, and an AMI Early Childhood Certification from the Washington Montessori Institute (WMI). With over 25 years of experience in Montessori education, she has supported children, educators, and school communities in both public and private school settings. As the Director of Community Engagement at Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore, Shelby collaborates with schools, childcare centers, and community organizations to promote the power of play. She helps create learning experiences grounded in the science of play, extending these opportunities beyond the museum to homes, schools, and neighborhoods. In her role as Assistant Director and Practicum Coordinator at the Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS), Shelby continues Dr. Montessori’s legacy by supporting teachers as they grow into Montessori Guides.
Dr. Amanda Holliday-Bembridge, PhD
Dr. Amanda Holliday-Bembridge PhD, IMH-E®, is a nationally recognized educator, researcher, speaker, and author who bridges early childhood development, music, mental health, and cultural perspective-taking. As the Founder and CEO of Doctor Teacher Mommy, LLC and creator of Baby Mombo™, she turns research into connection, growth, and joy for families, caregivers, and educators.
Her debut book, How Other People Do It: Different, Not Wrong – What Parenting Across Cultures Teaches Us About Love, Bias, and Belonging, is a reflective guide for early childhood professionals seeking to understand how cultural beliefs shape parenting and influence their work with families.
With more than 15 years of experience across teaching, curriculum design, coaching, and reflective supervision, Doc Holliday’s mission is to make complex research meaningful and accessible—empowering others to move, bond, and lead together!
Laura Hutton, M.S.
Laura Hutton, M.S. is an associate professor and coordinator of the Child Care Apprenticeship program at Harford Community College, bringing more than 30 years of experience working with children ages three and up. She holds a master’s degree in early childhood special education and has dedicated much of her career to supporting young learners with diverse needs. As a special educator, Laura has taught in public pre-K and kindergarten classrooms as well as non-public preschool programs for children with disabilities. As a foster and adoptive parent, she brings deep personal insight into the needs of children and families. Her work is driven by a passion for supporting children with trauma histories and helping educators create nurturing, inclusive environments where every child can thrive.
Jane Lichter
Jane Lichter holds a degree in Special Education and a Master’s in Curriculum and Supervision. She has earned Administrator I and II certifications, as well as a Superintendent Certification from the Maryland State Department of Education. Her professional experience includes roles in Baltimore County Public Schools as a special education teacher, school principal, coordinator for Early Childhood Programs and Elementary Language Arts, and executive director overseeing school principals. Currently, she serves on the Baltimore County Board of Education and works as a consultant with Port Discovery and Hudson Global.
Dr. Lynn M. Lubecki, Ed.D.
Dr. Lynn M. Lubecki is an inspiration in the realm of Early Childhood Education. As a faculty member at Empire State University and a mentor, teacher, and researcher in the Education Department, she dedicates herself tirelessly to shaping the future of education with a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. As a part of an incredible team, her focus is on helping students access high-quality education experiences and in some cases, achieve initial certification in early childhood education.
Her leadership is not only defined by her dedication but also by her transformational approach. Dr. Lubecki’s passion for collaboration and connection drives her to focus on practices that create lasting systems change, particularly those that impact children disproportionately. Her strategic vision and motivational presence have earned her recognition as one of the first recipients of the Pyramid Model Consortium’s Champion Award, highlighting her exceptional work in fostering community connections around the critical importance of social and emotional competence in young children. Dr. Lubecki is a sought-after expert, speaker, panelist, and facilitator on the local, state, and national stage.
Dr. Lubecki is a recent recipient of Rochester Business Journal’s Women of Excellence award, nominated for her work in her local community.
Savannah Matinez, LCSW-C
Savannah Martinez, LCSW-C, is a licensed clinical social worker and infant and early childhood mental health specialist practicing in Western Maryland. In her undergraduate studies, she was known for the phrase, “Children are neither good nor bad, they are learning,” setting the tone for her professional work since.
In May 2025, Savannah began her current role as a HealthySteps Specialist at the Children’s Doctor, Hagerstown, Maryland’s oldest and largest pediatric practice. Supported by Johns Hopkins University’s High Five for Prenatal to Five Team, Savannah empowers caregivers with young children to confidently respond to their family’s needs and challenges while fostering positive relationships and resilience.
Savannah’s role as a HealthySteps Specialist highlights her expertise in infant and early childhood development and mental health through her services provided to families such as behavior consults and psychoeducation with caregivers and pediatric primary care providers, care navigation, and brief interventions tailored to meet families’ goals.
Dr. Kris McGee, Ed.D.
Dr. Kris McGee, Ed.D., is a Professor at Frostburg State University in Western Maryland, specializing in teaching and mentoring pre-service and in-service teachers to become culturally competent educators. She creates brave, safe, experiential learning opportunities to help students develop their identities and value diverse communities. Kris is also dedicated to adult learning, incorporating self-directed, experience-based, and problem-solving principles to help adults reach their full potential. She tailors educational approaches to meet the unique needs of adult learners. Outside the classroom, Kris is an avid reader, “book dealer,” tech enthusiast, and enjoys presenting at conferences. She lives in Keedysville with her husband.
Lauren Naughton, BCBA
Lauren Naughton, BCBA, has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2014, supporting children and adolescents with autism and developmental disabilities across school, daycare, clinic, and in-home settings. After graduating from the University of Maryland, Lauren worked in a self-contained special education classroom supporting students with autism and significant behavioral needs. It was during this experience that she was first exposed to ABA, inspiring her to pursue a career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Lauren later earned her Master’s degree in Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology and became a BCBA in 2020. She is especially passionate about supporting behavior reduction, emotional regulation, and classroom success, while empowering caregivers and educators with practical ABA strategies that can be effectively implemented in schools and early childhood environments.
Juelie Pery-Schwartz, M.S.
Juelie Perry-Schwartz, M.S., is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and play-based advocate with over 40 years of experience in early childhood education, bringing both professional expertise and deeply lived experience to every stage she steps on. Juelie’s background includes roles as a professor, program owner, director, and teacher, as well as her personal journey as a mother, grandmother, and foster and adoptive parent of children with special needs. These experiences shape her message, making it both practical and powerfully real. Juelie does not believe in “sit and get” sessions; her keynotes and trainings are designed to spark reflection, invite conversation, and leave audiences with strategies they can immediately apply. Through storytelling, humor, and honest insight, she creates engaging experiences that resonate with educators, leaders, and program owners long after the session ends. Juelie has partnered with NAEYC and affiliates, Florida Early Learning Coalitions, Head Start programs, tribal early childhood programs, and private providers across the nation, supporting conferences, professional development events, and leadership initiatives. Juelie’s motto: Inspire Minds to Impact Our World through Playful Interactions.
Krista Respass
Krista Respass has worked in public media for 25 years, bringing PBS KIDS educational media content to educators and families. Most recently, under her leadership, MPT earned a national Emmy Award for developing a comprehensive set of teaching and learning resources for the PBS KIDS show Carl the Collector for national dissemination. Ms. Respass, working alongside executive leadership, has been instrumental in outlining MPT’s strategic vision to establish the Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education. She leads her team in conducting statewide professional learning sessions in early childhood education practices, particularly in the area of media literacy, developmentally appropriate technology integration, and curricula. Krista also serves on the University of Maryland’s Young Child Wellness Council helping to address the impact of media on young children.
Heather Sites
Heather Sites is a Maryland native, hailing from Cumberland, MD, and a mountain momma at heart. After earning her BA from University of Maryland, Heather went on to earn a MA in Human Education & Development from University of Colorado at Denver. She has taught all ages in schools both public and private, as well as a few years teaching in a homeschool co-op. Finally, in recent years, Heather found her passion in structured literacy. She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham “Plus” method and now works full-time as an interventionist in Bishop Walsh Catholic School.
Rebekah Stewart, M.S., BCBA
Rebekah Stewart, M.S., BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults across school, daycare, in-home, and telehealth settings. Since becoming a BCBA in 2021, she has developed and implemented individualized, evidence-based interventions focused on communication, behavior support, independence, and social-emotional growth. Rebekah has served in both clinical and leadership roles, including BCBA and Clinical Director positions, where she has collaborated closely with educators, families, and multidisciplinary teams to support meaningful outcomes for children with diverse developmental and behavioral needs. She earned her Master of Science in School Psychology from California University of Pennsylvania and is passionate about equipping teachers and caregivers with practical, compassionate strategies that promote learning, inclusion, and confidence in early childhood and educational settings.
Dr. Jodi G. Welsch, Ed.D.
Dr. Jodi G. Welsch is a Professor of Educational Professions at Frostburg State University. She received her Ph.D in Elementary Education from the University of Virginia in 2003 and also holds a M.Ed from the same institution, which she received in 2002. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood/Elementary education from Frostburg in 1995. Her teaching experience includes work at the PreK/Grade 3 levels, in both public and private school settings. At FSU, she served as the PreK-9 Program Coordinator for 11 years and currently teaches courses in literacy education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 2024, she received the FSU Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching. Her research areas include elementary literacy experiences, writing instruction, social justice and children’s literature. She lives in
Frostburg with her husband, two daughters and dog, Maggie.