Meet the 2016 EF Workshop for Parents Speakers Surina Basho, Ph.D. Director of Research of Learning Differences, Executive Function Psychologist Morrissey-Compton Educational Center, Inc. Keynote Presentation Title: Metacognition: The Key to Executive Function Dr. Basho has expertise in cognitive neuroscience, executive function, and learning differences. While earning her Ph.D. in Child Development from Tufts University, Dr. Basho worked with renowned executive function expert Dr. Lynn Meltzer, conducting neuropsychological assessments, and individualized intervention for students, and research in the classroom. She also co-authored a chapter with Dr. Meltzer in the book, Executive Function in the Classroom: Fostering Strategic Mindsets across the Grades and Content Areas (2010). At Morrissey-Compton, Dr. Basho is currently building a research program around executive function and learning disabilities in children; providing one-on-one individualized educational therapy to students; training teachers and schools in how to integrate executive function into the classroom for all students; and providing educational talks to the parent community. Hanna Bogen, M.S., CCC-Speech Language Pathologist Brain Talk Therapy Title: Brain Talk: Supporting Metacognition for Stronger Executive Function Thinking Hanna Bogen is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Social-Cognitive Specialist in California. With a primary focus on therapies and interventions that support self-regulation and social communication, Hanna consults and collaborates in multiple Bay Area schools to bring social-regulation, executive functioning, mindfulness, and social-cognitive strategies into the classrooms. She has trained K-12 teachers and educational specialists in California, Washington, and Oregon to support them in meeting the needs of all learners in their classrooms. In addition to her school consultation, Hanna provides individual and group therapy at the Communication Works Center in Oakland, CA. Hanna holds a bachelor of arts (Linfield College) and a master of science (University of Washington).
Stephanie Cole, M.Ed. Education and Executive Function Specialist Children s Health Council Title: Making Meaningful Connections: Interventions and Strategies for Strengthening Executive Functions Stephanie discovered her passion for working with students with learning differences through volunteer work at a hippotherapy center in northern New Jersey. Following her passion, Stephanie completed her undergraduate degree in special education with a focus on educational psychology. Upon completion of her degree, she worked as an educational consultant in Cincinnati, Ohio serving as the firm s primary executive function coach and advocate. She has vast experience working with all ranges of learning needs and ages (young adults, included). Advancing her degree, Stephanie earned her master s in education from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Stephanie joins Children s Health Council as an Education and Executive Function Specialist. Stephanie and her husband (and their two rescue dogs) are recent transplants to the Bay Area. Together, they enjoy hiking, cooking, and traveling. Debbie Drennan, M.S.W. Assistive Technology Specialist Parents Helping Parents Title: Google Apps for Executive Function Debbie Drennan, MSW, is an Assistive Technology Specialist at Parents Helping Parents itech Center in San Jose, CA. She has more than 20 years of experience in the field, having received her certificate in Assistive Technology from Cal State Northridge. Her areas of specialty are working with adults with developmental disabilities, individuals with physical disabilities, working with children 0-5 years old, and working with people with organizational and attentional concerns. She has presented at both state and national conferences on many aspects of assistive technology. She is currently a member of the California Assistive Technology Advisory Committee (ATAC). She worked for several years as a medical social worker, before having children. She has one son with Cerebral Palsy and one son with ADHD and Dyspraxia. As a parent of two children, both with unique needs, she became interested in, and passionate about, the potential assistive technology holds for so many individuals.
Cynthia Klein Certified Parent Educator Bridges 2 Understanding Title: Executive Function and Problem Solving Effectively With Your Child Cynthia Klein, owner of Bridges 2 Understanding, has been a Certified Parent Educator since 1994. She works with parents who want cooperation, mutual respect and understanding between themselves and their children. Cynthia s education includes a B.A. in psychology from Berkeley, teaching credentials, Training and Human Resources Certificate, as well as numerous parent education program certificates. She has taught 450+ private parenting sessions as well as 350+ parent education classes. Cynthia received a rave review after her fifteenth presentation at Stanford University, Cynthia has really finessed her speaking to an art! Susannah Halliburton, Stanford Work/Life Office. Cynthia developed her Creating Successful Families parenting manual as well as authoring the Middle School Mom column in the Parenting on the Peninsula magazine. To contact Cynthia: cynthia@bridges2understanding.com, www.bridges2understanding.com and 650.679.8138 Carrie Lindemuth, M.Ed. Educational Therapist and Social-Emotional Learning Specialist Brain Talk Therapy Title: Brain Talk: Supporting Metacognition for Stronger Executive Function Thinking Carrie Lindemuth is an Educational Therapist and Social-Emotional Learning Specialist in California. Focusing primarily on therapies and interventions that support self-regulation and executive function, Carrie consults and collaborates with professionals in multiple arenas to support self-regulation, executive functioning, mindfulness, and brain-based education. She has trained K-12 teachers and educational specialists in California to support them in meeting the needs of all learners in their classrooms. In addition she has trained parents, therapists, and other professionals in meeting the needs of children and adults with Executive Function Deficits. Carrie provides individual executive function therapy at the Communication Works Center in Oakland, CA, and individual educational therapy through Executive Function Junction. Carrie is a member of the Association of Educational Therapists, holds a bachelor of fine arts (California College of Arts and Crafts), a multiple subject teaching credential (San Francisco State), and a master of education (Holy Names University).
Erica Ragan, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist Morrissey-Compton Educational Center, Inc. Title: Executive Function and Emotion Regulation: Helping Kids and Teens Build Emotional Awareness and Strengthen Their Coping Skills Dr. Erica Ragan earned her B.A. in Psychology with Highest Honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at the university, Dr. Ragan worked on a research study on child development, the transition to parenthood, and the effects this has on the broader family system. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Denver's Clinical Child Psychology program, where she conducted research and received extensive clinical training in psychosocial assessment as well as evidenced-based therapies for children, teens, families, and couples. She completed her predoctoral internship at Stanford University's Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children's Health Council. Dr. Ragan completed a two-year APA accredited postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University's Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Mood Disorders and Eating Disorders clinics. She has a strong background in evidence-based treatments for mood and anxiety disorders including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She also has extensive training in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and picky eating. In her spare time, Dr. Ragan enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring the Bay Area, listening to live music, and going hiking with her dog. Jan Tuber, M.S. Assistive Technology Specialist Parents Helping Parents Title: Google Apps for Executive Function Jan Tuber, MS, is an Assistive Technology Specialist for Learning Disabilities at Parents Helping Parents, a Parent Training and Information Center. She has a B.S. in Human Development from the University of California, Davis and an M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling from Gallaudet University. Jan was formerly an Enabler Counselor at Ohlone College and has been working at PHP since 2005. In addition to her professional expertise, Jan has personal experience with learning disabilities. Her daughter, who recently graduated from New York University, has dyslexia.
Shira Woodlee, M.Ed. in progress Academic Coach and Learning Specialist Student Organizational Services Title: The Myths and Pitfalls of Typical Executive Function Recommendations Shira went to University of Miami for college and majored in psychology and secondary education in English. Graduating a year early from college, Shira moved back to the Bay area and joined a movement called Teach for America. She was eager to teach youth in the areas in which she grew up, seeing the need for strong education in underserved areas in California. Shira taught Special Education at a high school in Richmond, and then Biology at a high school in Oakland for several years. Shira recognizes that students are different and need to be taught in differing ways. Shira is committed to educating today's youth through individualized educational approaches. Currently, Shira works as an Academic Coach and Learning Specialist at Student Organizational Services (SOS) serving students with all needs from schools across the Bay Area. Additionally, Shira is currently studying at Holy Names University to achieve her Masters and certificate in Educational Therapy.