Instructors by Specialization

Katie Ahearn

Certified Instructor

Katie 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.

Amy Allen

Certified Instructor

Amy Allen has been a Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor since 2010. She conducts Conscious Discipline classes, book studies and empowerment groups focusing on the latest research for wiring up children’s brains to help parents and caregivers use connecting activities to instill impulse control, willingness, cooperation, and self-regulation. She also works with school center’s staff, training and coaching them how to implement Conscious Discipline’s brain-based strategies and techniques into their teaching practices.

Jenny Barkac

Certified Instructor

Jenny has earned a Doctorate Degree in Education, a BA in Elementary Education, an MA in Early Childhood and Curriculum Instruction. She has been in the education field for over 28 years as a teacher of Infant and Toddlers, Preschool, Behavior Interventionist, K-6, and is an Adjunct Professor teaching a Behavior Management Course using Conscious Discipline.

Mindy Becker

Certified Instructor

Mindy, founder of Grow With Us Academy LLC, has been working with children and families since 1990. As a Barry University Suma Cum Lade graduate, she majored in Exceptional Student Education (ESE).  She was first introduced to Conscious Discipline® in 2001 where she used some of the strategies with medically fragile children while working at Children’s Rehab Network. After receiving her teaching degree Mindy started working at the Pre-Kindergarten ESE District Office in Miami-Dade County substituting in the demonstration classrooms, helping with the assistive technology team, and teaching at various PPEC’s (Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care).

Polly Beebe

Certified Instructor

Polly Beebe has over 32 years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education. Her roles have included Pre-K Teacher, Kindergarten Teacher and Early Childhood Resource Teacher.

Carmen Bernard (Bilingual)

Certified Instructor

For more than 16 years, Carmen Bernard has dedicated herself to working with young children and families in many diverse settings, providing coaching in both English and Spanish. She coaches not only in the classroom, but also in homes, hospitals, the juvenile justice system, family court and foster care system. Though varied, her passion for […]

Diana Brown

Certified Instructor

Diana Brown, M.Ed has been a professional educator since 1988. She has a B.A. from Arizona State University and an M.A. from Northern Arizona University. As a classroom teacher, she realized that managing student behavior was the number one concern of educators. The majority of classroom management systems had children asking, “What do I get […]

Heidi Condrey

Certified Instructor

As a Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor, Heidi Condrey is passionate about sharing the Conscious Discipline message with others.  Heidi has worked in the field of early childhood education for sixteen years.  A state licensed teacher, Heidi holds a Master’s Degree in Education with a specialization in Teacher Leadership. Her career has centered around early childhood education and the empowerment of both children and their families.

Sue Dierks

Certified Instructor

Sue Dierks has over 25 years of experience in the field of early childhood education that includes classroom teaching, parent engagement, teacher coaching and training as well as program administration. Sue’s thesis work explored resiliency in Head Start preschoolers and that interest in resiliency continues today through her work with Conscious Discipline.