Join the Arkansas Alumni Association and the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences for a comprehensive look the effects the COVID pandemic has had on teaching and learning in an early childhood setting.
Geania B. Dickey served as the A-State Childhood Services, Program Coordinator for Management and Leadership for 17 years. She currently works as a part-time consultant for A-State and is the Principal of dot2dot consulting where she works with various organizations in support of strengthening early childhood program quality and improved access for all children. Geania has worked with and received training in advocacy from the National Women’s Law Center and was a member of the first Policy and Advocacy Institute for Emerging Leaders sponsored by the Children’s Defense Fund. She is also the recipient of the Sister Joan Pytlik award for Legislative Advocacy presented by the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition and was honored with the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families’ – Friend of Children award. Geania holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master’s in Public Administration.
Jennifer Kesselring has been an early childhood educator for 28 years. For the past 22 years she has been at Riverfield Country Day School, an Independent school serving children eight weeks through twelfth grade, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During her tenure there she been a classroom teacher, studio teacher, pedagogical coordinator, Division Head, and Head of Strategic Innovation. She has published several articles, presents nationally and internationally, consults with schools and school districts, and sits on the North American Reggio Alliance Board, Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma Board, Tulsa Community College Advisory Council, and formerly on the National Association for Gifted Children Curriculum Committee.
Robyn Smith is a proud graduate of the University of Arkansas. She has taught in Pre-K for the past 14 years. Currently, Robyn is a Pre-K teacher and the Program Director for the Prairie Grove School District. During her tenure at the University of Arkansas, Robyn earned both her Bachelors and Masters in Human Development & Family Sciences. Robyn served as a graduate assistant at the U of A Nursery School while working towards her Master’s Degree. Robyn also completed internships at UAMS Kids' First and at Arkansas Children’s Hospital which led to obtaining certification as a Child Life Specialist. Since starting her career in education, Robyn has obtained her ESL endorsement, served on leadership and curriculum development teams, hiring committees, and mentored interns from the U of A Birth through Kindergarten Program.