14th Annual Southwest Virginia Early Childhood Conference at UVa-Wise April 22

"Teaching Everyone's Child: Diversity" is the theme fro the 14th Annual Southwest Virginia Early Childhood Conference at The University of Virginia's College at Wise on Saturday, April 22.

Featured presenters include Dr. Aldoph Brown, III, a popular motivational speaker and founder of the Wellness Group, Inc., and Emmy award-winning performer Gaia Tossing.

The conference is designed for anyone who works with young children including teachers, parents and daycare providers. Free and open to the public, the conference begins at 8:30 a.m. in Fred B. Greear Gymnasium. Vendor exhibits will be on display and a variety of mini workshops will be offered throughout the event, which concludes at 3 p.m.

Click here to view the Conference schedule

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Dr. Aldoph Brown, III is the author of "Gettig the Attention of Every Child: Reaching the Unreachable: and founder of the Wellness Group, Inc., an international firm focused on improving individual and group behavior, attitude and performance. He has traveled with former Secretary of State Colin Powell and shared platforms with all living U.S. presidents and First Ladies Barbara Bush, Hilary Clinton and Nancy Reagan.

An associate professor of psychology at Hampton University,
Dr. Brown has undergraduate degrees in psychology and anthropology from the College of William & Mary and his master's degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis on high-risk children and families from the Virginia Consortium for Professional Psychology. He earned a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the Virginia Consortium for Professional Psychology. He completed his internship at Eastern Virginia Medical School with rotations in pediatrics, adult psychiatric in-patient, emergency medicine and general practice.

Dr. Brown's research includes extensive work in the areas of prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies for at-risk youth. He is considered a national expert regarding issues related to mentoring and counseling high-risk youth.

Gaia Tossing is a three-time Emmy award-winning producer, recording artist and singer-songwriter dedicated to building bridges between people through her inclusive performances that combine the beauty of sign language with music. Tossing is the found of KidSign Club for both hearing and deaf children to learn and enjoy sign language. She travels extensively presenting concerts and presentations that uplift and empower her audiences.

Tossing garnered two Emmys for her on-camera performance in her television specials "Sing 'n Sign for Fun with Gaia" and "Sing, Dance and Sign." Her books and original recordings on video and CD have received many awards including Teachers' Choice, Parents' Choice, Early Childhood Directors' Choice, National Association of Parenting Publications, and many others. She has been featured on news programs appearing on PBS, CNN, WGN-TV, and the Learning Channel.

Pre-registration for the Southwest Virginia Early Childhood Conference is requested. For more information, or to register, contact Sandra Richardson, conference founder and coordinator, at (276) 328-0187 or the Office of College Relations at (276) 328-0130.