About Us
Learn about Maria Teresa Ruiz, founder of Early Childhood Education, and what makes her specially qualified to provide best practices approaches for teachers of young children.
Maria Teresa Ruiz
Certifications
STEM Educator Certification
Member of NAEYC
Member of NIHSDA
CLASS Certified Observer
PITC Facilitator
My first experience in the field of early childhood education began as a mother of four children. I initiated my journey as a Migrant Head Start Parent when my oldest son was three years old. Parenting reaffirmed to my amazement the value and importance of the child's development in these early years.
I hold a Masters of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and a Child Development Graduate Certificate enhancing my understanding and twenty-three years of practice in the field of early childhood education.
I have served in different capacities as an instructional Para-Professional and Lead Teacher for both Federal and State Preschool Programs. As a Child Development Specialist, I have supported professional development workshops disseminating evidenced-based research for high-quality program improvement. Some of the in-service workshops focused on intentional strategies supporting staff response to challenging behaviors; play-based approaches to language and literacy development, music and movement as an engaging developmental approach supporting curriculum outcomes for children with special needs, and the language acquisition of English and Dual Language Learners. For the last ten years, I have been a CLASS™ reliable observer and worked with public agency mentoring educators. I am a certified STEM educator by the National Institute of STEM education (NISE).
As a Child Development Specialist, I have presented at Early Childhood Education Conferences including the Society of Research in Child Development, pre-service Professional Development Seminars, and in-service workshops for Head Start Programs, State Preschool Programs, and Family Child Care Home Providers. Presenter at STEM Conference, CAEYC, NAEYC, and NHSA.
As a co-founder of Purple i am, ( Early Childhood Education consulting project) my work was focused on best practices to individualize powerful and unique learning approaches that support high-quality early childhood education.
And now as a consultant, I am dedicated to supporting educators in the continuous search of best practices in Early Childhood Education. I have a passion for STEAM experiences and creative-innovative approaches to engage educators in professional development opportunities that support best practices in serving young children and their families.
Mi primera experiencia en el área de la educación infantil comenzó como madre de cuatro hijos. Empecé a trabajar en un programa migrante de Head Start cuando mi hijo mayor tenía tres años. La crianza de mis hijos reafirmó el valor y la importancia del desarrollo infantil en los primeros años de vida.
Tengo una Maestría en Ciencias en Estudios Interdisciplinarios, una Licenciatura en Ciencias en Psicología y un Certificado de Posgrado en Desarrollo Infantil que mejora mi comprensión sobre el tema y apoya veintitrés años de práctica en el área de la educación infantil.
Durante mi carrera, me he desempeñado en diferentes capacidades, como para profesional de instrucción y maestra principal para programas preescolares federales y estatales. Como especialista en desarrollo infantil, he facilitado talleres de desarrollo profesional que difunden investigaciones basadas en evidencia para la mejora de programas de alta calidad. Algunas de las capacitaciones se enfocaron en estrategias intencionales que apoyan la respuesta del personal a los comportamientos desafiantes; enfoques basados en el juego para el desarrollo del lenguaje y la alfabetización, la música y el movimiento como un enfoque de desarrollo atractivo que respalda el plan de estudios para niños con necesidades especiales y niños que aprenden dos idiomas. Durante los últimos diez años, he sido un observador certificado de CLASS ™ y he trabajado con mentores de agencias públicas. También soy un educador STEM certificado por el Instituto Nacional de Educación STEM (NISE).
Como especialista en desarrollo infantil, he presentado en conferencias de educación infantil, incluida la Sociedad de Investigación en Desarrollo Infantil, seminarios de desarrollo profesional y talleres/capacitaciones para programas Head Start, programas preescolares estatales y proveedores de hogares de cuidado infantil familiar. He sido presentadora en conferencias STEM, CAEYC, NAEYC y NHSA.
Como cofundador de Purple i am, (proyecto de consultoría sobre educación infantil), mi trabajo se centró en las mejores prácticas para individualizar enfoques de aprendizajes poderosos y únicos que respaldan la educación de alta calidad en la infancia.
Y ahora como consultora, me dedico a apoyar a los educadores en la búsqueda continua de las mejores prácticas en Educación Infantil. Me apasionan las experiencias STEAM y los enfoques creativos e innovadores para involucrar a los educadores en oportunidades de desarrollo profesional que apoyen las mejores prácticas para servir a los niños pequeños y sus familias.
Philosophy & Mission
My passion is for STEAM experiences and innovative methods to engage teachers and educators in their professional development. It is my mission to support and encourage best practices to aid in the accomplishment of the ultimate goal – teaching young children as well as maximize their enjoyment of learning. I want to instill the desire for learning to put them on a path to ultimate success!
Child Development Specialist
As a child development specialist, Maria Teresa has provided workshops for educators including, but not limited to, the following areas:
- Play-based approaches to language and literacy development
- Staff response to challenging behaviors
- Children with special needs
- Music and movement as a developmental approach
- Head Start programs, Preschool programs
- Family child care home providers
