Trainers
Dr. Kristin Miller
Dr. Kristin Miller is a Master Professional Development Trainer for administrators and teachers, a Curriculum Developer, an Educational Specialist, and a Certified Health and Safety Consultant for early childhood programs. She is a CDA course instructor with a Ph.D. in Philosophy, specializing in Educational Psychology, and has over 25 years of professional experience in education.
Charkeiro Parker, M.Ed.
Charkeiro Parker, M.Ed., has over a decade of experience as an early childhood educator, earning her Master's in Education, specializing in Curriculum & Instruction. She has worked in preschool, K-12 settings, and special education. Currently, she serves as a CDA Mentor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Early Childhood College Professor at San Jacinto College.
Lakeshia Nnamani, M.Ed.
Lakeshia Nnamani, M. Ed., has over a decade of experience as an early childhood educator. She also has 2 years of experience instructing CDA courses. As an early childhood educator, she served as a pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teacher, preschool owner, child development professor and early childhood trainer.
Jocelyn Jackson
Jocelyn Jackson is an experienced childcare and education professional with over 20 years of dedicated service in the field. She has served as an Assistant Director since 2016, supporting daily operations, staff supervision, and the implementation of developmentally appropriate programming. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Florida International University in 2024.
Dr. Cynthia Small
Dr. Cynthia Jackson Small offers educational seminars for teachers, parents, and school administrators. She is a master registered trainer for the Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System and is a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE). Dr. Small has previously served as the director of Early Childhood Programs with the ChildCareGroup in Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Magdalena Battles
Dr. Magdalena Battles has a PhD in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Psychology. Her post graduate studies were completed at Harvard. She is a writer and conference speaker. Her specialties include parenting, child development, family relationships, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
Amy Pena
Amy Palacios Pena is a Speech Language Pathologist and Early Childhood Developmental Specialist with over 10 years of experience working in the field of pediatrics. Mrs. Pena obtained her master’s degree in 2010 from Texas Woman’s University. She opened the FIRST bilingual development center in the Rio Grande Valley, which caters to both the neurotypical & atypical population ages 0-6.
