EDUCATION

2011, Buteyko Breathing Practitioner Training

2004, Certified as Continuum Movement Teacher

1999 M.Ed. with Distinction, Early Childhood Education University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX

1994 BA Art, Incarnate Word College, San Antonio, TX

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS & DISTINCTIONS

Buteyko Breathing Educators Association, since October 2011

International Body Talk Association, Member since August 2006

Registered Somatic Movement Educator (RSME) International Somatic Movement Education & Therapy Association (ISMETA)

Coordinator, VIVA Botanica Playday, April 7th and 8th, 2001. Collaborated with Jimi Jolley, M.Ed. to create a play based experience for approximately 400 children in the Botanical Gardens.

Received the 1998 Joe Frost Play Advocate Award from the University of the Incarnate Word for work at the renovation of St. Peter’s School playground, Burnet Elementary, and for coordinating the Play Leadership Symposium, San Antonio, TX

Served in 1995–96 as the Volunteer Outdoor Learning Enhancement Teacher at Adams Elementary School, Harlandale School District, San Antonio, TX

Received the 1995 Positive Impact Award for contribution of time in helping others with gardening from Bexar County Master Gardeners, San Antonio, TX

Received the 1995 Youth Gardening Award by the Extension Horticulture Committee of Bexar County, San Antonio, TX

Named volunteer chair of Children's Activities for San Antonio Earth Day Celebration, 1994, 1995 and 1996

Received a major grant from Austin community Foundation for 1994–95 gardening and art program at the Mason Manor housing project in Austin, TX

Received the 1994 Keep Austin Beautiful Individual Educational Awareness Award of the Year, Austin, TX

Served as coordinator of Children's Activities, 1993–1996, County-Wide Children's Vegetable Show and Harvest Festival, Texas Agricultural Extension Service Bexar County Master Gardeners, San Antonio Botanical Gardens, San Antonio, TX

Became Certified Master Gardener, class nine, 1993, Bexar County Master Gardeners, San Antonio, TX

Received a major grant in 1991 from the Texas Committee for the Humanities to develop a script entitled “Taniguchi: A Bridge Between Cultures,” Austin, TX

Served as editor, writer, publisher, Sproutage, a quarterly newsletter for Sprout Scouts Program, April 1990–August 1996

Sculpted a bronze bust of Isamu Taniguchi, dedicated in 1990 at the Austin Area Garden Center, Zilker Park, Austin, TX

Have been a member in good standing for ten years of the American Association of the Child's Right to Play, (IPA/USA), and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TAEYC) as well as the local chapter (SAEYC).

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & PRESENTATIONS

The following are a sampling of presentations and workshops given since 1990:

Playwork as A Biological Birthright: An Initiation Ritual for Playworkers, Educators and Theorist. PlayEd Conference, Cardiff, Wales. October, 15th, 2002.

Sprout Scouts Symposium, San Antonio Botanical Gardens, San Antonio, TX, February 23, 2001, co-presenter Jimi Jolley

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Annual Convention, Atlanta, GA, November 8, 2000, A Playwork Institute, co-presenters Dr. Mary Ruth Moore, Dr. Paul Jacobs, Dr. Diane Fuque, and Donna Bauer

Sprout Scouts Symposium, San Antonio Botanical Gardens, San Antonio, TX, March 3, 2000

NAEYC, New Orleans, LA, 1999, Putting the Garden Back in Kindergarten: Best Practice Examples of Gardening Projects from Members of the Sprout Scouts Project Approach to Gardening Study Group, co-presenters Linda Morehouse Todd, Bernard Ceserone

Viva los ninos! TAEYC Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX, October 1999, World of Play V: Addressing the Need for Outdoor Play, co-presenter Dr. Mary Ruth Moore, half-day pre-conference

Parks & Recreation Training, San Antonio, TX, October 17, 1999, The Nature of Play, co-presenter Dr. Mary Ruth Moore, half-day seminar

Directors Symposium, USAA, San Antonio, TX, September 1999, World of Play IV, co-presenter Dr. Mary Ruth Moore

Region XX and Southwest Institute for Educational Advancement, San Antonio, TX, spring 1999, The World of Play, co-presenter, Dr. Mary Ruth Moore, half-day seminar

Region XX and Southwest Institute for Educational Advancement, San Antonio, TX, spring 1999, Down the Garden Path to the Outdoor Classroom, co-presenter, Gail Laubenthal, full day seminar

Texas School Age Caregivers Alliance (TSACA), San Antonio, TX, 1998, Putting the Garden Back in Kindergarten

Staff Development for Youth Flight, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX, 1998, Sprout Scouts

Directors Symposium, USAA, San Antonio, TX, 1998, Children’s Interactive Gardens–An Enhancement to Any Program

NAEYC Annual Conference, Toronto, Canada , November 1998, The Bountiful Harvest: Perspectives on Ways to Implement Gardening Projects via the Project Approach, keynote presenter; co-presenters Dr. Mary Ruth Moore; Bernard Ceserone, Gail Laubenthal, Linda Morehouse Todd, Sharon Dempsey, and Joe Rubin

NAEYC Annual Conference, Dallas, TX, November 1997, The Project Approach to Gardening Study Group

NAEYC Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., December 1995, Panel Discussion, Incorporating Nature, co-presenters Roger Hart, Robin Moore, and Randy White

Air Force Training for Youth Flight, AETC; Columbus, MO; Altus, OK; Luke, AZ; and Goodfellow, TX, Air Force Bases

IPA/USA Fourth Triennial National Conference, Birmingham, AL, August 1995, Community Built Gardens: An Intermediate Step Necessary to Transform American Attitudes toward Play

NSCAA, St Louis, MO, 1995, Incorporating Nature, co-presenter Marge Green

Air Force Training, St. Louis, MO, 1995, Putting the Garden Back in Kindergarten

Out of the Classroom and into the Garden, Arlington, VA, August 1994, Sprout Scouts Across the Curriculum, Growing Hope in Times of Despair, co-presenter Gail Laubenthal

Sprout Scouts Bi-annual Symposium, Stonehaven Ranch, San Marcos, TX, June 1994

Austin Independent School District Staff Development, Austin, TX, April 1994, Cooperative Learning and Science for the Young Child, co-presenter Gail Laubenthal

Austin Independent School District, District Wide Staff Development, Austin, TX, August 1993, Sprout Scouts: Allies of the Earth for the Twenty -First Century, co-presenter Jen Wyld

Texoma Region Mini Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching, Wichita Falls, TX, September 1993, The Art and Science of Papermaking from Plant Fibers

Odessa Child Care Management Services, Odessa, TX, July 1993, Allies of the Earth for the Twenty-First Century, co-presenters Sunny Davidson and Jen Wyld

Making A World of Difference, Child Protective and Regulatory Services, San Antonio, TX, June 1993, Sprout Scouts, co-presenter Jen Wyld

Rebarn, San Antonio, TX, May 1993, Green Man: Creating A Voice of Nature, co-presenter Dr. Sean Cassidy

Rebarn, San Antonio, TX, April 1993, Hildegard of Bingen, Performance Art, co-performer Jon Campos

Eco-Feminism Conference, Austin, TX, April 1993, Rosaries for the Earth, co-presenter Jen Wyld

Women–Church: Weavers of Change, Albuquerque, NM, April 1993, Hands-on Clay

Come Grow with Us, East Texas Association Education Young Children, Angelina College, Lufkin, TX, January 1993, Setting the Agenda of Environmental Awareness in the Education of Young Children and Developmentally Appropriate Environmental Awareness Activities for Preschoolers from the Sprout Scouts Model, co-presenter Jimi Jolley

Come Grow with Us, Austin Independent School District, Austin, TX, January 1993, Sprout Scouts, co-presenters Jimi Jolley and Jen Wyld

Austin Independent School District, Austin, TX, December 1992, Let's Grow Pizza! co-presenter Jimi Jolley

Texas Association Education Young Children, Houston, TX, fall 1992, Sprout Scouts: Allies of the Earth for the Twenty-First Century and Clay in the Classroom, co-presenter Jimi Jolley

Sprout Scouts Symposium, San Antonio, TX, October 1992, Sprout Scout Leadership Training

International Childs’ Right to Play, USA National Conference, Denton, TX, September 1992, Sprout Scouts: Allies of the Earth for the Twenty-First Century: Environmental Awareness in Early Childhood Education, co-presenters Jimi Jolley and Sunny Davidson

North Texas Association Education Young Children, Wichita Falls, TX, October 1992, Environmental Awareness Programs for Young Children

Region XIII Educational Service Center, Austin, TX, July 1992, Sprout Scouts

Austin Association Education Young Children, Austin, TX, spring 1992, Sprout Scouts

Child, Inc. Head Start, Austin, TX, spring 1992, Early Bird Spring Training Workshop

National Association Education Young Children, Denver, CO, November 1991, panel discussion

Setting the Agenda: Environmental Awareness in Early Childhood Education, co-panelists Jimi Jolley, Dr. Nancy Pyle, and Sunny Davidson

Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, Austin, TX, October 1991, Setting the Agenda of Environmental Awareness in the Education of Young Children and Sprout Scouts:Reflecting Environmental Images for the 21st Century

North Texas Association Education Young Children, Wichita Falls, TX, 1991, Environmental Awareness Activities for Preschool Age Children

Head Start: A Capital Investment for Children and Families State Conference, summer 1991, Setting the Agenda of Environmental Awareness in the Education of Young Children

North Texas Association Education Young Children, Wichita Falls, TX, February 1991, Sprout Scouts: Allies of the Earth for the Twenty-First Century, co-presenter Jimi Jolley

Austin Association Education Young Children, spring 1991, Sprout Scouts: Allies of the Earth for the Twenty-First Century

EXPERIENCE

Buteyko Breathing Educator, San Antonio, TX, Fall 2011

Buteyko Breathing, San Antonio, TX and Austin since 2004, Sponsored, Coordinated, and attended over twenty sessions taught by Robert Litman to various groups.

Continuum Movement Teacher, San Antonio, TX, Fall 2004-Present. Teach movement classes incorporating art expression, including The Cosmic Body TM ; Coordinates Continuum movement and related workshops for the San Antonio Movement Group in collaboration with SPARKS.

Coordinator, San Antonio Movement Group, San Antonio, TX, 2000-Present. Facilitated the San Antonio Continuum Movement Group in weekly practice sessions. Sponsored eleven Continuum Movement workshops in the San Antonio community.

Artist, Blue Star Art Space, San Antonio, TX, Fall 1997-Present. In addition to participating in numerous First Friday Artwalks have had four private shows including:”The Cosmic Body: An Exploration of Continuum Movement and Art” July 2005; “The River of Life” July 2003; “Open Channel” Current Paintings by myself and Danielle Milam August 2002; “Current Work,” Exhibited with Miriam Moore, November and December, 2001; and “Dance the Spirit Dance,” with Danielle Milam July, 2001.

Board Member, Government Canyon Natural History Association, San Antonio, TX, January 2000-December 30, 2002. Work in collaboration with legal partners to facilitate interpretive planning and development for the opening of Government Canyon State Natural Area. Provide leadership to develop and maintain a comprehensive plan for educating the public about the physical, biological and cultural resources of the Natural Area. Chairperson, “Imagining the Canyon” workshop with Betsy Damon (environmental artist and activist) March 28, 2003.

Coordinator, Play Work Planning Group, San Antonio, TX, 1996–January 2000. Work with Playwork Study Circles to develop training and curriculum modules for use in Playwork Institute. Create a project planner for aiding in the development of a funding strategy and time line. Network with potential members to assist with authorship of training modules. Assist Playwork Planning Group Director and other project coordinator as needed.

Coordinator, The World of Play 1997 Conference, San Antonio, TX, December 1996–August 1997. Coordinated the development of a community built playground at St. Peter's Elementary School; Developed the fourth Sprout Scouts Outdoor Learning Symposium at the San Antonio Botanical Center, a full day pre-conference event; Co-chaired PlayDay; Coordinated the Play Leadership Symposium. Aided grant development by creating a project planner for developing funding strategy and time line.

Early Childhood Consultant, San Antonio, TX, 1994–present: Provide hands-on training and support services to caregivers, educators, parents and children through a garden/nature and art focused project approach. Clients include the United States Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, White Hutchinson Learning and Leisure Group, and Austin Independent School District.

Director, Sprout Scouts, San Antonio Botanical Society, San Antonio, TX, 1997–Summer 2002: San Antonio Botanical Society Board Member. Provide volunteer services to aid local schoolteachers and community centers with guidance regarding incorporating nature/gardening into children’s environments. Current projects include the development of a model outdoor learning center/playground San Antonio College Lab School incorporating xeriscape gardening, rainwater harvesting, and a straw bale playhouse.

Co-Founder and President, Taniguchi Foundation, Inc. Austin, TX, 1989–1997: Co-founded the Taniguchi Foundation, an organization dedicated to the promotion of environmental awareness in young children. Organized the 501 (c) (3) structure and developed a functioning Board of Directors. Acted as key promoter. Chaired board meetings and subcommittee groups to influence local civic and educational leaders to join our program or donate to our projects. Researched and wrote grant applications. Organized seminars, workshops, and conferences to promote the Foundation's activities. Submitted and oversaw yearly budget. Networked with other educational groups, parks, and environmental organizations throughout Texas.

Program Development Chair, Sprout Scouts: Allies of the Earth for the Twenty-First Century, Austin, TX, April 1990–1997: Was the co-creator of Sprout Scouts, an environmental education program targeted to preschool and elementary aged children. Provide the guiding leadership for the program's development. Negotiated with the Austin Independent School District for Garden Central- at teacher resource center, demonstration classroom and demonstration garden. Solicited donations of funds and in-kind contributions form local civic and business sponsors for Garden Central. Facilitated staff development training for early childhood educators and parents. Wrote and edited Sproutage quarterly newsletter and other Sprout Scouts' materials for public relations and educational programs.

Program Coordinator, Wednesday and Saturday Youth Program, Austin, TX, August 1989– August 1990: Gathered children ranging in age from 3–17 years old from the lower socio-economic area of East Austin and provided them with art materials and a safe studio space. Facilitated a 16-week program of visiting artists and child-initiated experimentation with a variety of art media. Expanded the children's project by adding a gardening component. The 30 East Austin youth were given individual gardening plots in Isamu Taniguchi's personal garden. This project became the Sprout Scouts program in May 1990.

Commercial Real Estate Agent, Stokes Properties, Inc., Austin, TX, October 1982–July 1986: Conducted market analyses. Contracted and sold over 50 syndicated income-producing properties in Central Texas. As executive aide, performed public relations assignments. Acted as liaison to the Committee for Olympic Development, the Tour of Texas Bicycle Race, and the National Sports Festival Committee. As office manager, supervised secretarial and maintenance staff of eight people.

Airman, United States Air Force, Bergstrom Air Force Base, TX, July 1979–July 1982: Held secret security clearance. Received an honorable discharge. Served 2 years as a member of the Bergstrom AFB Honor Guard. Served as a lifeguard at the base pool. Served one tour as a recruiter assistant. Represented 67 Transportation Squadron on the base advisory committee.

PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS

Playwork as A Biological Birthright: An Initiation Ritual for Playworkers, Educators and Theorist. “One Heart, Many Pulses” PlayEducation Conference Proceedings, Cardiff, Wales. Spring 2003.

The World of Play: The Changing Nature of Children’s Play and Playwork, Sprout Scouts Outdoor Learning Symposium, American Playwork Institute: An Idea Whose Time Has Come, and Play Leadership Symposium articles, University of the Incarnate Word, 1998

IPA Conference Proceedings, Play: An Intergenerational Experience, article Community Built Gardens: Transforming Attitudes Toward Play, August 1995

Editor and writer, Sproutage, quarterly newsletter for Sprout Scouts program. Distribution: over 500 copies in 28 states and 1 foreign country, April 1990–August 1996

Editor and contributing writer to Let’s Grow Pizza! curriculum book for Sprout Scouts program. Distributed to teachers and parents attending workshops. August 1993–August 1996

Author and editor, publicity materials for Taniguchi Foundation and Sprout Scouts program, August 1989–August 1996. Wrote script for Taniguchi: A Bridge between Cultures, under grant from Texas Committee for the Humanities, 1991

MOVEMENT TRAINING

Movement Training since 2006 too numerous to detail; Emilie Conrad, Susan Harper, Robert Litman, Caryn McHose,

The Bearable Lightness of Being with Deborah Raoult (Suzanne Wright Crain, assisting) 7/ 7-9/2006 Austin, TX

New Body, New Mind with Emilie Conrad (Suzanne Wright Crain, assisting) 5/8-12, 2006, The Crossings, Austin, TX

Reclaiming the Life of the Body with Deborah Raoult (Suzanne Wright Crain, assisting) 4/21-23, 2006, Houston, TX

Holy Nectar, Emilie Conrad with Dr. Martha Harrell, March 31- April 4, 2006, Continuum Studio, Santa Monica, CA

The Moving Matrix with Deborah Raoult, 3/25 to 3/26/2006, Clear Springs Studio, Austin, TX

Continuum Mystery School with Emilie Conrad and Susan Harper, January 11-18, 2006, Los Angeles, CA

West Coast Continuum Teachers’ Mystery School with Emilie Conrad, January 6-8, 2006 Los Angeles, CA

Em’Oceans and Sensation Training, level 1 with Susan Harper September 20-25. 2005, San Antonio, TX (Suzanne Wright Crain assistant)

The Heart of Belonging: Continuum Movement with Susan Harper, September16-18, 2005, San Antonio, TX (SWC assistant) San Antonio, TX

Continuum Movement Depths Retreat with Emilie Conrad and Susan Harper, August 15-22, 2005 Santa Barbara, CA

Jungle Gym: The Ecology of Fitness with Emilie Conrad and Kevin Smith, August 22-25, 2005, Santa Barbara, CA

Portals of Perceiving 1 with Hubert Goddard and Susan Harper, May 3-8, 2005 Vancouver, B.C.

Frontiers of Movement with Emilie Conrad (Suzanne Wright Crain, assistant) April 10-15, 2005 Austin, TX

Master Class with Emilie Conrad, January 15-19, Continuum Studio, Santa Monica, Ca

Continuum Mystery School with Emilie Conrad and Susan Harper, Jan 6-13, 2005, Santa Barbara, CA

The Breathable Body with Robert Litman, 11/29 to 12/3/2004, San Antonio, TX

Claiming the Life of Eros with Deborah Raoult, 10/8-10/2004, San Antonio, TX

August Depths Retreat with Emilie Conrad and Susan Harper, 8/23 to 8/28/2004 Stillheart Retreat Center, Woodside, CA

Jungle Gym Training with Emilie Conrad, 4/25 to 4/29/2004, Continuum Studio, Santa Monica, CA

Holy Nectar for Women Only with Emilie Conrad, 4/14 to 4/18/2004 Continuum Studio, Santa Monica, CA

Em’Oceans and Sensations Training Level 1 with Susan Harper, 4/8 to 4/13/2004, Continuum Studio, Santa Monica, CA

Frontiers of Movement with Emilie Conrad, 3/15 to 3/19/2004, Omega at the Crossings, Austin, TX

The Heart of the Caduceus with Emilie Conrad and Susan Harper, 1/4 to 1/11/2004, Mt. Madonna, Watsonville, CA

August Depths Retreat with Emilie Conrad and Susan Harper, 8/21 to 8/28/2003, Mt. Madonna, Watsonville, CA

Mountains and Waves with Susan Harper and Stephen Harper, Esalen, Santa Cruz, CA 2003

Buteyko Breathing Method, The Breathable Body with Jungle Gym Training, Robert Litman, May 2003, San Antonio, TX

Renewing Life: Continuum Movement with Mary Abrams, 9/26-28/2003, San Antonio, TX

Intimacy with All Life, a Continuum Movement Workshop; Deborah Raoult Feb 28-March 2, 2003, San Antonio, TX

Invitational Mystery School with Emilie Conrad and Susan Harper, Mt. Madonna, 1/3 to 1/10/2003, Watsonville, CA

Continuum Movement with Mary Abrams 9/ 27-29/ 2002; San Antonio, TX

Continuum August Depths Retreat with Emilie Conrad and Susan Harper, 8/15 to 8/22/2002, Holy Spirit Retreat Center, Los Angeles, CA

Em’Oceans and Sensations Training Level 1 with Susan Harper, New York City

Frontiers of Movement with Gleah Powers, 10/6 to 10/8/2000, San Antonio, TX

Waves and Whispers, Continuum Movement with Emilie Conrad, 7/26 to 8/2/2000, Sychelt Island, BC

Jungle Gym Workshop with Gleah Powers, 3/10 to 3/12/2000, San Antonio, TX

Waves and Whispers, Continuum Movement with Emilie Conrad, 1999, Sychelt Island, BC

Jungle Gym Workshop with Gleah Powers, 3/1999, San Antonio, TX