Southern U.S. Conscious Discipline Instructors
- 4th-6th Grade Teachers
- Administrative Training/Coaching
- Bilingual/Spanish
- Childcare Administrators
- Classroom Coaching
- Early Head Start Administration
- Elementary School Administration
- Elementary School Teachers
- Head Start Administration
- Head Start Teachers
- Infant/Toddler Teachers
- Kindergarten - 2nd
- Mental Health Professionals
- Middle School 6th-8th
- Middle/High School Administration
- Other Areas of Specialization
- Parents
- PreK/K Teachers
- Preschool/Childcare Teachers
- School-wide Implementation
- Special Needs
- Training/Coaching
- Upper Elementary - 3rd-5th
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Sarah Catherine Rhodes
Certified InstructorSarah Catherine Rhodes is currently teaching an inclusive Pre-K class serving “at-risk” students alongside children with identified special needs. She participates in the NC Demonstration Preschool Program where she models best practices in the early childhood setting. Sarah Catherine graduated from Meredith College with a degree in Child Development and now serves as a mentor teacher for student interns.
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Mara Spencer
Certified InstructorMara McElroy Spencer has a B.S. in Family and Child Sciences and has worked in the Early Education field for almost 20 years. Mara owns and operates a fully implemented Conscious Discipline preschool/primary school, serving ages birth-1st grade. Additionally, she sits on the Board of Directors for two K-8 Public Charter Schools in Leon County, FL. She resides in Tallahassee, FL with her husband, Justin, and their four children: Mallie, Jack, Luke, and Ella Cate.
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Lynn Young
Certified InstructorLynn Young has dedicated 30 plus years to educating children with disabilities. While she once taught preschool through high school, her passion is working with young children and their families. She spent 20 years teaching an inclusive preschool classroom that she designed to include children with hearing impairments and other developmental disabilities. She was a demonstration teacher and has served as a cooperating teacher for countless student interns. Most recently, she has been a Preschool Coordinating Teacher supporting preschool Special Education and Title I teachers with a professional development program she developed.
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Paola Salcedo
Certified InstructorPaola Salcedo is an award-winning teacher specializing in Early Childhood and Bilingual Education with over 15 years of experience in the classroom. She has worked as a Conscious Discipline coach at a Title I school in Houston ISD since 2015, where she has successfully implemented bilingual parent involvement programs. Paola is currently pursuing a master’s degree in School Counseling. A mother of four, she experiences the successes and challenges of the Conscious Discipline journey firsthand at home and at school.
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Lindsey Merrick
Certified InstructorLindsey Merrick has over 10 years of experience in education. She has worked as a lead teacher and is now the founding principal of the School of Arts and Sciences at The Centre. Lindsey has implemented Conscious Discipline into the school from the start, producing excellent results. She has also coached and trained administrators and teachers at multiple grade levels and in varied settings.
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Katie Ahearn
Certified InstructorKatie Ahearn believes in education that promotes meeting the child where they are at after addressing her own adult self first. She is an educator who loves the next challenge and to go against the status quo. State officials, district personnel, and any other observers who walk into her planning, classrooms, and trainings describe it as innovative and transformational because of the connection and love apparent in the environment. Education is truly the great equalizer, when schools are safe, connected, and work to solve problems.
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Amy Zolessi
Certified InstructorAmy Zolessi has a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and Spanish. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. As a parent of three young boys and an early childhood educator for 10 years, Amy Zolessi knows children. She understands the challenges of parenting and teaching first hand and how Conscious Discipline can help parents and educators deal with those challenges. As a teacher, she inspired her staff and implemented Conscious Discipline school-wide at her former school.
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Angela Fraley
Master InstructorAngela Fraley completed her undergraduate work at the University of Central Oklahoma to obtain teaching certifications in Elementary Education, Early Childhood and Mild to Moderate Disabilities. She completed her graduate work at the University of Oklahoma to earn a Master’s Degree in Prevention Science and an IC & RC Certified Prevention Specialist credential. With over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, 10 years of Conscious Discipline experience, and a highly responsive presenting style, Angela is a Master Instructor who inspires transformation.
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Diane Phelan
Certified InstructorDiane Phelan has been an educator for 27 years. She taught early childhood education for three years, for ages 18 months to four years old. She then taught in elementary school for 13 years, all grade levels. Over the last ten years, she has served as principal for a middle school in Pasadena, Texas. She […]
