Speaker Schedule
9-10am Mariaemma Willis presenting Midlife Crisis Begins in Kindergarten!
10-11am Deborah Godfrey presenting Discipline That Builds Self-Esteem
11-11:30am Lori Mahony presenting Smarter Investments for College
10:30 Christina Gonzalez presenting Growing Up Fit
11:30-noon California Highway Patrol presenting Safety Seats
Noon Bette Alkazian presenting Parenting Backwards
Please see the details below about the topics and speakers.
Midlife Crisis Begins in Kindergarten!
Most school programs discourage a child’s gifts and abilities. As early as preschool we often unintentionally begin the process of undermining a child’s instinct for pursuing inborn interests and talents in order to provide a “program” that will lead to “success” in life. But what makes a person successful in real life? Is it performance in school, motivation, intelligence, luck? And what about learning disabilities, or terms like average, slow learner, ADD? Learning Styles are the key to school and life success. With this information you can be your child’s LearningSuccess™ Coach from the start!
About the Speaker
Mariaemma Willis, M.S. is an Educational Therapist and LearningSuccess™ Coach. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education, and California Life Teaching Credentials for Regular and Special Education. She is co-founder of LearningSuccess Institute in Ventura, CA and co-author of Discover Your Child’s Learning Style and Midlife Crisis Begins in Kindergarten. www.learningsuccesscoach.com
Discipline That Builds Self-Esteem
Learn ways you can correct your child's misbehavior without yelling, spanking or grounding. Learn how just three minutes a day creates miracles in misbehaving children.
About the Speaker 
Deborah Godfrey - Positive Parenting began as a result of a vision I had to do work that I love, that makes a difference in the world and that allowed me to spend time raising my kids. Within one month of that vision, the precursors to Positive Parenting began to fall in place. I was asked to teach parenting class for a local non-profit organization for whom I had been a volunteer. After a year of that a principal of a school offered to pay my way to become trained in “Redirecting Children’s Behavior” in exchange for teaching at his school. In July of 1994 I opened for business as a sole-proprietor of Positive Parenting.
I have been teaching parenting classes for more than 14 years. A partial list of the institutions include: Emilie Ritchen Elementary School, La Mariposa Elementary School, Cabrillo Middle School, County of Ventura, Pleasant Valley Park and Recreation District, United Methodist Child Development Center, Ventura Unified School District, Conejo Valley Park and Recreation District, California State Foster Parents Association, California Mothers of Multiples, Casa Pacifica and Ventura College Community Services. www.positiveparenting.com
"My vision is that all children are raised lovingly and non-violently and with discipline that motivates them through love, not through fear. When children go through the challenges of childhood with loving, kind and firm guidance they are able to develop their full potential and follow their dreams." - Deborah Godfrey, Positive Parenting
Smarter Investments for College
Starting a college savings plan today is an investment in your child’s future. In this workshop, you’ll learn about projected college costs, the potential benefits of starting an investment plan early, financial aid details, and various college savings vehicles. These include 529 college savings plans, Savings Accounts and UGMA/UTMA accounts.
About the Speaker
Lori Mahoney, CFP, is a Certified Financial Planner Professional for Independent Capital Management. Located in Camarillo, Lori is able to provide assistance with investment advisory, retirement plans, life insurance and estate planning. www.ICMCamarillo.com
Growing Up Fit
Helping your preschooler to grow up fit, by:
- Being active
- Meal patterns and portions
- Whole grain foods and benefits
- Re - Think your drink!
About the Author
Christina Gonzalez is the owner and director of First Flight Preschool in Somis. She has been working with preschoolers for a number of years and has an extensive background that will be very helpful for parents looking for insight at the Preschool Fair.
Safety Seats
The California Highway Patrol will be discussing the importance of well-fitting and properly installed safety seats for all young children.
Parenting Backwards: Raising Our Kids to Become Fabulous Adults by Looking Forward and Working Backwards.
Who do you want your kids to become 25 years from now? What do you need to do today to get to that goal? Come hear Bette Alkazian, LMFT, Family Therapist and Parenting Coach teach her philosophy for raising kids to
become great adults and fill your Parenting Tool Belt!
About the Speaker
Bette Alkazian, M.A., LMFT, BCPC, is a Parent and Family Coach with Balanced Parenting. She is the author of Parenting Backwards & Potty Learning: The Do's, Don'ts and the Oops of Poops. Currently Bette is one of the 7 finalists to become a new "Advice Guru" on Good Morning America. The search began with more than 15,000 candidates. www.balancedparenting.com
