Caitlin Moles, Quality Improvement Coach

Caitlin holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology from the University of Colorado Denver and a BA in Anthropology from the University of Denver. With her Master’s program she completed the Boulder Journey School Teacher Education Program and fell in love with the world of early childhood. She then taught preschool in Longmont before joining ECCBC as the Quality Improvement Coach, where she enjoys working with so many wonderful programs across Boulder County. As a Colorado native, Caitlin loves the outdoors, especially hiking and camping with her two puppies. She also loves to cook and travel with her husband.

Nicole Malone, Quality Improvement Navigator

Nicole Malone has an Associates of Arts degree with an emphasis in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. She has worked in privately-owned child care centers in both Colorado and Idaho. She worked with children of all ages, from 6 weeks to 15 years, as a floater. For over 7 years, she was a Lead Teacher at a toddler center in Larimer County.  She has had first-hand experience of ITERS & ECERS, even participated in ITERS ratings in her toddler classroom several times. At the start of the Colorado Shines system, she was the point person to assist the rest of the staff through the PDIS and helping the center director update the Colorado Shines QRIS information through a Colorado Shines rating. In Oct 2015, Nicole became the Quality Improvement Navigator with the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County where she continues to provide step-by-step support for groups and individuals using the Colorado Shines systems.


Community Coaches

For more information or to hire one our community coaches, please contact Caitlin Moles at cmoles@eccbouldercounty.org or 303-895-3403.

Deb Becker

Deborah Becker has worked in early childhood education for more than 25 years, gaining experience through her positions as a teacher, director, tutor, resource and referral specialist, professional development coordinator, and quality improvement manager. She holds degrees in early childhood education (AA and BA) and supporting language development for diverse languages and cultures (MAT). She also holds a Level VI Colorado Early Childhood Credential 2.0, a level 1 Colorado Coaching Credential, and has been approved by Colorado’s Trainer/Training Approval System to teach advanced level trainings. Deb is an Expanding Quality in Infant and Toddler Care (EQIT) instructor and coach as well as a Touchpoints Facilitator. She is a Certified Quality Improvement Specialist in three Environment Rating Scales: Infant and Toddler (ITERS), Early Childhood (ECERS), and Family Child Care (FCCERS). In addition, she is a certified observer using the Toddler CLASS tool. A life-long learner, Deb is currently working toward her Doctor of Education degree at the University of Northern Colorado. Deb lives in Severance, and serves the early childhood communities throughout Northern Colorado. She is married and has one son.

Certifications:
Touchpoints Trainer
EQIT Trainer

Kate Johannes

I have been in the field of Early Childhood Education for over forty years. I began caring for children as a home provider and continued my education and career first as a para professional in Special Education, and then as an early childhood teacher. Eventually I became a director of centers and finally retired from managing Boulder County Head Start in 2015. I realized I missed being in Early Childhood with the wonderful children, teachers, and colleagues in Boulder County and throughout the state. In 2016 I began the EQIT trainings to become a teacher and a coach. I love this work as it keeps me connected to the most exciting community I know – the dedicated women and men in Early Childhood! Besides, I get to be involved in quality work with and for children – how lucky am I?

Certifications:
EQIT Trainer

Linda Miron

My name is Linda Miron and I am the founder of Collaborating Learning Consulting Services. As a consultant for the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County I provide trainings and coaching to Early Childhood educators, administrators, and parents. I hold a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology with a Concentration in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development, and an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I am a credentialed coach and trainer and hold a Level VI Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential.

I specialize in guiding administration through the Colorado Shines Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) through building an effective teaching team, creating parent engagement, developing successful behavioral plans for children, and organizing a developmentally appropriate classroom. I teach Pre-licensing Family Child Care classes and facilitate FLIP-IT trainings (Provides coping and problem solving strategies to support children’s emotional and social development).

My career has spanned over 30 years in the ECE field. I owned and operated Curious Kids Preschool, a non-profit organization licensed as a large Family Child Care in California. I also worked for a School District as their School Age Child Care Assistant Manager, overseeing 14 after school programs and 80 staff members. I was also a director for a municipality preschool serving 45 children and I served as president on the Board of Directors for the Boulder County District of The Colorado Association for Education of Young Children (CAEYC).

Certifications:
EQIT Trainer

Susan Moore

Bio needed

Certifications:
Touchpoints Trainer
EQIT Trainer
CLASS Certified Observer (Infant, Toddler, PreK)

Cathy Moyer

Hello, my name is Cathy Moyer and I have spent the last 23 years dedicated to Early Childhood Education. I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Northern Colorado, and my Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education in May 2017 from Grand Canyon University. I was a licensed family child care provider from 1996-2016. I am a certified Infant and Toddler Specialist and have taught and coached with the Expanding Quality in Infant and Toddler Care Initiative since 2009. My passion is improving experiences for children and that is best done by supporting the homes and child care settings children spend time in. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and providing time and space for parents, teachers and administrators to reflect on their own philosophies and practices. I hold the following credentials: Bachelor Degree Early Childhood Education from UNC, Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University, Level 6 Early Childhood Credential, ECERS, ITERS, and FCCERS Reliability, CLASS Pre-K and Toddler Reliability, Certified Developmental Intervention Assistance, Certified Colorado Advanced Trainer, and Certified Coach. I have successfully coached five Level 5 Colorado Shines rated programs and developed many supports that will help programs improve their quality practices. I can provide mock ERS ratings, CLASS observations, coaching and consultation, support in developing policies and procedures, support with uploading documentation for Colorado Shines, and trainings for staff or families in your program.

Certifications:
EQIT Trainer
CLASS Certified Observer (Toddler)
Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale Certified Observer
Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Certified Observer
Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale Certified Observer

Judy Pelzer

Judy Pelzer has worked in the Early Childhood profession for the last 30 plus years as a home care provider caring for infants and toddlers, as a teacher, assistant director, coach and trainer. She is certified by Clayton Early Learning as a Quality Improvement Specialist on the Environmental Rating Scales (ITERS & ECERS). Judy can provide observations and reports that will help to improve quality of care before your final rating. Judy also holds a Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential Level V, and a Level 1 Coaching Credential. She has been a certified trainer and coach since 2001 for Expanding Quality in Infant & Toddler Care (EQIT). Education: CDA, Front Range Community College, BA in Early Childhood Education, Naropa University, Boulder, Co.

Certifications:
EQIT Trainer
Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale Certified Observer
Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Certified Observer

Laurene Phillips

Laurene has worked in the field of ECE for over thirty years as a classroom teacher, director, center owner, trainer, and coach. She has been a trainer and coach for Expanding Quality in Infant Toddler Care (EQIT) since its beginning in 1999. Additionally, she is a Touchpoints Facilitator; a coach for various quality improvement initiatives; and Adjunct Faculty in the ECE Program at Naropa University. Current certifications include: Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential Level V, Infant Toddler Endorsement; Level 2 Coaching Credential; Advanced level Trainer Certified CLASS Observer for Infant, Toddler, and Pre-K assessments. Education: MA Contemplative Education, Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado, BS Nursing, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, and an Advanced Infant and Toddler Certificate, University of Colorado Denver.

Certifications:
Touchpoints Trainer
EQIT Trainer
CLASS Certified Observer (Infant, Toddler, PreK)

Jane Wilkinson

Jane has degrees or graduate certificates from the University of Colorado, Boulder; University of Colorado, Denver and Regis University (B.S. Commercial Recreation, Masters of Science in Management, graduate certificates: Advanced Infancy and Adult Learning). Jane is currently employed at Boulder County Public Health as a Child Health Educator, in addition to teaching and coordinating Expanding Quality in Infant Toddler care (EQIT) for Boulder County. Jane has participated in several state and local teams and committees designed to improve the health and overall quality of care for young children. And lastly (possibly most accomplished), Jane has single handedly raise two children into early adulthood!

Certifications:
Touchpoints Trainer
EQIT Trainer
CLASS Certified Observer (Toddler)
Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale Certified Observer
Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Certified Observer
Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale Certified Observer

Catherine Zakoian, MA, LPC, NCC

Catherine is a licensed counselor, and an education, early childhood, and leadership development consultant. She enjoys supporting early childhood programs in the areas of infant and toddler mental health, educator self care, creating and maintaining rich social emotional environments, and supporting program and leadership development.  Prior to training to become a counselor, Catherine directed human resources and production management operations for privately held, highly creative businesses. In her private counseling practice, she specializes in working with gifted children, teens, adults, families, and organizations. She is also an affiliate counselor with Gifted Development Center. www.catherinezakoian.com