Make 2025 the year our children THRIVE…
Calling Teachers/Administrators/Parents/Grandparents/Allied Health Professionals…
We are excited to invite you to a transformative 3-part workshop series designed to explore how neurodevelopment impacts children's ability to learn, regulate their emotions, and thrive in their daily lives. This series will provide you with valuable insights and practical strategies to support children in navigating the challenges of growing, learning, and managing their emotions.
Why Attend? Neurodevelopment is the process by which a child’s brain and nervous system grow and develop. Understanding how these processes shape a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social skills can make a world of difference when it comes to fostering an environment where children feel empowered and supported. By better understanding the link between brain development and emotional regulation, you’ll gain tools to help children:
- Enhance their learning abilities: Understand how different stages of brain development impact a child’s capacity to absorb, retain, and process information.
- Improve emotional regulation: Learn techniques to help children manage their emotions, reduce stress, and build resilience.
- Create stronger connections: Discover strategies to nurture healthy relationships, communication, and self-awareness in children.
Our Session Topics:
April 12 - How do early life events and experiences impact how our children handle big emotions and self-regulate throughout their life span?
Aug 30 - Is Social Media changing the way we parent, teach, learn, and set expectations? How can we create an enriched home and classroom that will lead to building character and resilience in your children?
Nov 8 - How do we build intrinsic motivation, self-awareness, and the ability to delay gratification in our children while living in a world of immediate rewards?
Our Presenters:
Pastor Erin Morris has over 30 years of experience working with Children, Youth and Families. Starting as a Camp Counselor and growing into a full time Youth Director, then becoming a Deacon and now Ordained Pastor, she has walked beside families building bridges between the generations as the world has changed around them. Knowing that God has called us all to care for one another, she enjoys helping adults and kids hear one another, grow together, and understand the joys and struggles of being family.
Chris Justesen has a BA in Elementary Education from Penn State University. After several years in K-8 education, she found her true passion was Early Childhood Education and founded Resurrection Lutheran Child Development Center in 1996. Combining her years of experience, Universal Design for Learning, and her fascination with mind-body connection, Chris created curricula that is developmentally appropriate and focuses on best practices for brain growth/ function so differently abled children are welcomed and given the tools they need to thrive. Chris was awarded the ELEA National Director of the year award in 2017 and served on their Education Association’s Board for 5 years.
Julia Grover-Barrey holds an honors degree in occupational therapy from Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS, Canada and a Masters of Applied Neuroscience from King’s College London. She has worked for 30 years in Tucson, AZ in clinical and school-based practice, first as a certified hand therapist and then as a neurodevelopmental pediatric therapist. Julia is now working on several local collaborations through her company In-Tuned® to develop a somatic movement practice grounded in neuroscience to improve physical and mental wellness, as well as trainings for educators to better support students with a focus on neurodevelopment.
Nancy Aguinaga, Ph.D. is the Special Education Director for Southern Arizona at Eastpointe Education. Prior to going back to K-12 education, Nancy was a Professor at Southeast Missouri State University for 12 years, Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Exceptional Child Education and developed the Autism Certificate Program. Dr. Aguinaga also taught at the University of Southern Indiana and the University of Central Florida and attended and worked at the Harvard Graduate School of Education on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), working with educators from around the world. She is committed to creating spaces where all students can thrive.
Logistics:
Workshops will take place at:
Resurrection Lutheran Church Campus
11575 N. 1st Avenue
Oro Valley, 85737
From 8:30am-1:30pm
Childcare for children 6 months old - 10 years old will be provided at no additional cost
Snacks and lunch included for all participants and children
Registration Information:
Parent/Caregiver - $30.00 per family (no CEU’s available)
Educators and Allied Professionals - $60.00 each (4 CEU’s available per session)
Group Rate (Groups of 4 or more) - $45.00 per session (4 CEU’s available per session