Children’s Learning Center staff learn ‘Power of Me’
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
photos provided by the Dunham Children's Learning Center
Penn College Children’s Learning Center staff Melissa D. Lundy, assistant teacher, and Valerie L. Vonada, teacher, participate in a session during a recent professional development conference. Photo provided by the Dunham Children’s Learning Center.
Staff of Penn College’s Dunham Children’s Learning Center recently attended the Power of Me Conference, held March 27-28 at Penn College by the Region 7 Early Learning Resource Center.
“The conference speakers were uplifting and engaging, allowing for all teachers to be engaged in the process of the ‘power of me’ – themselves,” said Linda A. Reichert, director of the Children’s Learning Center.
The event featured speakers from FirstDay Learning, which provides professional development services to support educators in preventing and responding to challenging behavior. FirstDay co-founder Rebecca Freedman provided Friday’s keynote address.
Saturday’s key speaker was “Mr. Ty, The Child Care Whisperer,” a well-known childhood education advocate and trainer who specializes in transforming classroom culture, providing strategies to help teachers turn chaotic moments into learning opportunities. Following the conference, Mr. Ty accepted the Children’s Learning Center’s invitation for an impromptu tour of the facility.
“The teachers and administrators want to show appreciate to our enrolled families for supporting the continued growth of the teachers at the Children’s Learning Center,” Reichert said.
Children’s Learning Center staff have their photo taken with nationally known early childhood education advocate “Mr. Ty, the Child Care Whisperer” (center). From left: Melissa D. Lundy, assistant teacher; Tiffany L. Tyhanic, assistant director; Neva E. Simcox, teacher; Mr. Ty; Linda A. Reichert, director; Candi Leisenring, assistant teacher; and Stacie Smith, teacher.