Cheri Reaves, MA.Ed, Principal Consultant
Principal Consultant. Specializes in providing capacity building to organizations, school districts, health departments, social services, and early care systems, on Culturally Linguistically Responsive, Relevant, Trauma Sensitive programs nationally, Systems Change (Coaching).. Also, as former adjunct faculty, SJSU, her courses have included Contemporary Parenting, Education of the Young Child, and Motivation of the Child and Adolescent in an Educational Setting. Ms. Reaves served as Professional Expert with Santa Clara County Office of Education, and consults with school administrators, teachers, agencies on culturally responsive pedagogy nationally. Ms. Reaves has served on the California Statewide TK Advisory Committee and The Work Group for addressing Black Child Mortality Rates in Sacramento County.
Hyacinth Frank-Stephans
Hyacinth Frank-Stephens, was director and founder of the Early Childhood Center, an Instructor and department chair with West Valley-Mission College Community College District for 21 years. She has served as a Commissioner Early Care and Education, member of the planning council, Early Intervention committee, Technical Advisor, West Ed Institute and Parent Advisor, Black Infant Mental Health program.
Karen Penet, LCSW RPT-S
Karen Pernet is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner with over 25 years experience providing mental health services. In her Oakland office she provides psychotherapy, play therapy; filial therapy (Parent-Child Relationship enhancement). She has presented nationally and internationally. Karen is also certified in Gestalt Therapy and has extensive experience with trauma theory and therapy.
Andrea Zarate, M. Ed
Andrea Zarate, M. Ed Leadership, Specializes in Special Needs and Infant Mental Health; Ms. Zarate, is an Early Care, Early Childhood Professor at Hartnell College with almost forty years of expertise. This includes more than thirty years of experience in Montessori teaching and as a Head Montessori teacher. Ms Zarate is a bilingual educator and an active participant in NAEYC, American Montessori Society (AMS), and International Montessori Council (IMC). She is currently a part of First 5 Monterey cohort to learn more about Mental Health in young children.
Kristen Reaves, MSW
Kristen Reaves is a Medical Social Worker and Health Educator, specializing in developing Community Trauma- Informed programs and services for schools and agencies. Kristen has a passion for public health and has spent extensive time working with youth and young adults in her community as a peer health educator. She is committed to cultivating healthy communities by promoting resilience and empowerment. She is currently working with families in Santa Clara County.
Dionne N. Carter, MPH, M. Div
Dionne specializes in planning and administering art-based, trauma and culturally informed programs, addressing disparities and social transformation in inner city communities. She provides art-infused capacity building of providers who serve youth and families of promise. She is an artist, with fifteen years experience. Her public health experiences include roles with the SF Department of Public Health, the SF Mayors Neighborhood Crime Prevention Program, UCSF/Mount Zion’s Violence Prevention Program, Youth Alive, First 5 Alameda, West Coast Children’s Clinic. Her art studio is located in Oakland, CA.
Margaret “Peggy” Schauer, PHD
Margaret Schauer Specializes in culturally responsive teacher and principal coaching. Formerly a teacher and principal, with 20years experience, she has taught and/or held administrative roles at both public and private faith-based schools. She is currently a college professor in teacher preparation in Cleveland. Her research interests are Culturally Responsive teacher education programs, teacher and principal leadership development, academic motivation, mastery learning and school redesign.