ECPBL27 Presenters

Lee Ann Bertsch is a kindergarten teacher at Cincinnati Country Day School, where she has taught toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners. Her interest in Project Based Learning began while studying at Ohio University and has continued throughout her career. Her work is strongly influenced by Lilian Katz’s Project Approach and years of learning through designing, facilitating, and reflecting on projects with young children.

Rosemarie Biocarles-Rydeen is a Professional Learning Designer and Teacher Educator at the High Tech High Graduate School of Education. She spent 20 years teaching in the primary grades and was a founding faculty member of High Tech High’s first PBL elementary school. Rosemarie is passionate about the power of children’s questions to inspire meaningful and transformative project design.

Michelle Burrowes is a graduate of Bank Street Graduate School of Education and has worked with children in a variety of capacities since 2006. She is passionate about early childhood education, emergent curriculum, and creating classrooms where every child feels seen and heard. Michelle recently began a new chapter at The Elisabeth Morrow School in New Jersey.

Erin Dunn Moulton is Co-Director of Teaching Preschool Partners and brings more than 27 years of experience in early childhood and elementary education. She was the first teacher hired at Opal School, where she taught Pre-K–5 and served as a Mentor Teacher and Teacher Researcher. Her work centers on playful, inquiry-based learning and helping educators recognize and build on the strengths and capabilities of every child.

Lisa Goddard is a PhD Fellow in Reggio Childhood Studies at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia/Fondazione Reggio Children in Italy and the Founding Pedagogista at the Douglass Ridley School in Boston. She has worked as an early childhood educator, curriculum developer, coach, and consultant in Italy and the U.S. Lisa also serves on the board of the Boston Area Reggio Inspired Network and the editorial board of NAEYC’s Voices of Practitioners journal.

Sara Greenspan has more than ten years of experience teaching kindergarten in an independent school and has intentionally integrated Project Based Learning into her classroom for over seven years. She is passionate about recognizing the capabilities of young children and helping other educators see the possibilities of PBL for deepening student learning.

Jill Hurlburt teaches Pre-K at Cincinnati Country Day School, where she combines play-based learning with meaningful projects. A 15-year educator and Xavier University graduate, she draws on Montessori and Reggio Emilia-inspired practices to create engaging, child-centered learning experiences that build on children’s curiosity, ideas, and interests.

Sara Lev is an educator, author, and co-founder of Early Childhood PBL. After 17 years as a classroom teacher, she now works with educators and schools both nationally and internationally to support Project Based Learning in the early years. She is the co-author of Implementing Project Based Learning in Early Childhood and co-editor of the forthcoming Project Based Learning with Young Children: Inspiring Stories and Practical Strategies from Classrooms Around the World. She lives in Los Angeles.

Tara McMullen Hofstetter is a lead Toddler Teacher at Cincinnati Country Day School and has worked in early childhood education for more than 32 years, including 25 years at CCDS. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and a master’s degree in Differentiated Instruction K–12. Tara brings a deep commitment to developmentally responsive learning with very young children.

Calley Myrvold has seven years of experience in early childhood education as a lead teacher in a collaborative classroom. She is passionate about play-based learning and creating opportunities for children to follow their curiosity, explore their interests, and make meaningful connections with the world.

Michelle Staller is the Assistant Head of Early Childhood & Lower School at Annunciation Orthodox School in Houston, Texas. She holds a master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction and serves on Rice University’s SLC leadership team. An award-winning educator, Michelle frequently presents on play, early literacy, and Project Based Learning and has published work exploring the vital role of outdoor play.

Julie Strande brings nearly 20 years of educational experience, from preschool through the collegiate level, in both formal and informal learning environments. An experienced intergenerational educator and professional development coach, she has presented at conferences across the country. Julie is passionate about nature-based education, intergenerational pedagogy, and risky play.

Christopher Toomey has worked as an early childhood educator for 33 years in both public and independent schools. He currently teaches Junior Kindergarten at Renbrook School in West Hartford, Connecticut. For the past ten years, Christopher has incorporated Project Based Learning into his work with young children and is an enthusiastic practitioner of early childhood PBL.

Sumaiya Zohaib is School Head and PBL Coach at Leo’s Workshop, a micro-school in Lahore, Pakistan, where she mentors educators in inquiry-driven, learner-centered practice across mixed-age classrooms. She is also the founder of Jugnu The Enlightened Learners, a literacy initiative that brings reading camps and youth fellowship programs to underserved communities across Pakistan.