About us
Your kids are My kids …They’re our kids!
After spending fifteen years in a K-12 setting, Emily saw a need for teacher support and empowerment. “Teachers are constantly hearing the words evaluation, standardized, and observation… all tied to what they need to improve, not using strength based feedback to share the best practice strategies they are already using.” Teachers are our richest commodity in education, the absolute most important position in a school system, but to say they are undervalued is a broad overstatement. Teachers are the hands on, boots on the ground with our children day in and day out. They give the hugs, apply the band-aids, connect with the families, build the neurons, and build the mindset of what a “teacher” and “school” are for children. We should value teachers and their contributions to the learning environment endlessly, which allows the Refinement of their instructional practice to be a celebrated event.
After moving from a TK-12 school setting to Early Education, Emily has seen and heard from both levels the disconnect between “us” and “them.” Your kids” and “my kids.”It felt very disjointed to talk about children this way when they are moving from one level to the other, ultimately creating and shaping the same child. The critical foundation built in early learning was shaped by the common core learning experiences children were guided by in TK-12. Refine was built to create this connection, supporting children in learning through a developmentally appropriate lens and play approach, while embedding opportunities to build 21st century learners.
The Refine team has been carefully crafted based on their experience, compassion, and knowledge of best instructional practice in early learning. We believe that every teacher and classroom are on a journey to build the absolute best learning environment for our children. Our hope is to sit shoulder to shoulder with as many teachers as possible providing the utmost support, built off of their STRENGTHS, refining current practice through continuous improvement.
Meet the team
Emily Stewart
Emily Stewart, M.Ed. is an Early Learning Consultant focused on pairing developmentally appropriate practice with 21st century learning. Emily served as the Early Childhood and Transitional Kindergarten Lead for the California Preschool Instructional Network. In her roll, she provided professional learning and On-site Instructional Coaching on the California Early Learning Foundations and Curriculum Frameworks, with a focus on TK and Preschool. Her work as a K-3 teacher in California, Arizona and Washington D.C. focused on utilizing early learning developmentally appropriate strategies, critical thinking, and authentic learning to engage students in collaborative and meaningful learning experiences. Emily served as a supplemental curriculum writer and designer of Common Core aligned curriculum units for all District of Columbia Public Schools. As a district level instructional coach and professional learning facilitator, Emily supported teachers in the design and implementation of collaborative learning experiences that promote and enhance the development of 21stcentury skills for all young children. Emily believes that through intentionally planned learning experiences and careful, consistent reflection of one’s instructional practice– highly effective learning experiences occur.
Emily received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Educational Technology from Northern Arizona University. She has served as a guest blogger for WETA’s Reading Rockets and received the District of Columbia’s Standing Ovation for Highly Effective Educators award.
Michele Carrasco
Michele has been on the Early Child Education (ECE) career pathway for over 25 years. It is a true passion, calling, and pleasure for her to inform and educate the ECE community on how to better serve children and families holistically.
Michele has experience supporting providers in creating and maintaining quality within their programs through coaching support, technical assistance, and training. She has received training certifications through several local and state agencies to train others to use the quality tools to fidelity.
Currently, Michele has branched off into consultancy. She has developed partnerships with WestED and the Consortium for Early Learning Services (Consortium). With WestEd, as a Master Trainer for the Desired Result Developmental Profile project, She is responsible for mentoring and training others through the WestEd certification process to become certified trainers. In her role as a DRDP Master trainer, her duties include assessing educational institute trainers on how to use the assessment tool, as well as, online webinars providing DRDP assessment content and instruction. With the Consortium, she has the pleasure of providing several different training opportunities (DRDP, ERS, ASQ, TIC, etc.…) to community members who are looking to further their ECE knowledge and earn professional development.
Michele is committed to supporting like-minded professionals to provide children with the highest quality learning environments that furthers their growth and development in achieving their highest potential.
Sandi Edelbrock-Gulizia
Sandra Edelbrock Gulizia has spent more than thirty-five years in the field of early care and education. Sandra’s post graduate education includes Psychology, Educational Leadership, and Human and Organizational Development. She holds Elementary, Early Childhood and Reading Specialist Credentials. Sandra is the founder of First Steps Child Development Centers, Inc. and was the Administrator for the Children’s Services Unit at the Riverside County Office of Education. For the past thirty years, Sandra has been an Early Childhood Education Instructor at the Riverside Community Colleges. Sandra has been a statewide leader in the field of early childhood education as State President of the California Child Development Administrators Association and as State President of the California Alternative Payment Program Association. Sandra has received numerous awards for her work on improving quality in early childhood education programs and as an advocate for children’s issues. Her unique understanding of the field has provided her with opportunities for speaking engagements nationally and invitations to participate on statewide commissions. Currently, Sandra is a Certified Trainer for the California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN) providing professional development opportunities in Riverside, Inyo, Mono, and San Bernardino Counties and aa a private educational consultant.
Shery Stewart
Shery Stewart is currently an early learning consultant supporting Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten Teachers in their instructional practices through coaching. Shery also provides professional learning for teachers as a California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN) certified instructor on the Preschool Early Learning Foundations and Curriculum Frameworks.
Her work as a teacher, mentor and master teacher in California and Oregon was focused in the primary grades 1-3. It was there that she developed a strong interest in literacy and mathematics and learned the true power of differentiating instruction for her students.
As an Elementary School Principal her priorities consistently focused on building a strong, collaborative team of teachers through shared leadership. Professional development and instructional coaching were the vehicle for refining her teacher’s skills in order to meet the needs of all students.
Her work as a preschool Special Education administrator proved to be very enlightening, as she repeatedly witnessed the power of high expectations and early intervention for children with special needs. She was a big proponent of placing children in the least restrictive environment. This special time in her career sparked an interest in early learning, which led her to her preschool consultant role today.
Shery received a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and K-8 Teaching Credential from Cal State Fullerton, her Masters in Education from Azusa Pacific University and her Administrative Services Credential from the University of Redlands.
Work with us
Partnering with an outside agency increases effectiveness through a new voice and lens. We would LOVE to tailor and build a professional learning plan to meet the needs of your agency!
Michele has been on the Early Child Education (ECE) career pathway for over 25 years. It is a true passion, calling, and pleasure for her to inform and educate the ECE community on how to better serve children and families holistically.
Michele has experience supporting providers in creating and maintaining quality within their programs through coaching support, technical assistance, and training. She has received training certifications through several local and state agencies to train others to use the quality tools to fidelity.
Currently, Michele has branched off into consultancy. She has developed partnerships with WestED and the Consortium for Early Learning Services (Consortium). With WestEd, as a Master Trainer for the Desired Result Developmental Profile project, She is responsible for mentoring and training others through the WestEd certification process to become certified trainers. In her role as a DRDP Master trainer, her duties include assessing educational institute trainers on how to use the assessment tool, as well as, online webinars providing DRDP assessment content and instruction. With the Consortium, she has the pleasure of providing several different training opportunities (DRDP, ERS, ASQ, TIC, etc.…) to community members who are looking to further their ECE knowledge and earn professional development.
Michele is committed to supporting like-minded professionals to provide children with the highest quality learning environments that furthers their growth and development in achieving their highest potential.
Emily Stewart, M.Ed. is an Early Learning Consultant focused on pairing developmentally appropriate practice with 21st century learning. Emily served as the Early Childhood and Transitional Kindergarten Lead for the California Preschool Instructional Network. In her roll, she provided professional learning and On-site Instructional Coaching on the California Early Learning Foundations and Curriculum Frameworks, with a focus on TK and Preschool. Her work as a K-3 teacher in California, Arizona and Washington D.C. focused on utilizing early learning developmentally appropriate strategies, critical thinking, and authentic learning to engage students in collaborative and meaningful learning experiences. Emily served as a supplemental curriculum writer and designer of Common Core aligned curriculum units for all District of Columbia Public Schools. As a district level instructional coach and professional learning facilitator, Emily supported teachers in the design and implementation of collaborative learning experiences that promote and enhance the development of 21stcentury skills for all young children. Emily believes that through intentionally planned learning experiences and careful, consistent reflection of one’s instructional practice– highly effective learning experiences occur.
Emily received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Educational Technology from Northern Arizona University. She has served as a guest blogger for WETA’s Reading Rockets and received the District of Columbia’s Standing Ovation for Highly Effective Educators award.
Sandra Edelbrock Gulizia has spent more than thirty-five years in the field of early care and education. Sandra’s post graduate education includes Psychology, Educational Leadership, and Human and Organizational Development. She holds Elementary, Early Childhood and Reading Specialist Credentials. Sandra is the founder of First Steps Child Development Centers, Inc. and was the Administrator for the Children’s Services Unit at the Riverside County Office of Education. For the past thirty years, Sandra has been an Early Childhood Education Instructor at the Riverside Community Colleges. Sandra has been a statewide leader in the field of early childhood education as State President of the California Child Development Administrators Association and as State President of the California Alternative Payment Program Association. Sandra has received numerous awards for her work on improving quality in early childhood education programs and as an advocate for children’s issues. Her unique understanding of the field has provided her with opportunities for speaking engagements nationally and invitations to participate on statewide commissions. Currently, Sandra is a Certified Trainer for the California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN) providing professional development opportunities in Riverside, Inyo, Mono, and San Bernardino Counties and aa a private educational consultant.
Shery Stewart is currently an early learning consultant supporting Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten Teachers in their instructional practices through coaching. Shery also provides professional learning for teachers as a California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN) certified instructor on the Preschool Early Learning Foundations and Curriculum Frameworks.
Her work as a teacher, mentor and master teacher in California and Oregon was focused in the primary grades 1-3. It was there that she developed a strong interest in literacy and mathematics and learned the true power of differentiating instruction for her students.
As an Elementary School Principal her priorities consistently focused on building a strong, collaborative team of teachers through shared leadership. Professional development and instructional coaching were the vehicle for refining her teacher’s skills in order to meet the needs of all students.
Her work as a preschool Special Education administrator proved to be very enlightening, as she repeatedly witnessed the power of high expectations and early intervention for children with special needs. She was a big proponent of placing children in the least restrictive environment. This special time in her career sparked an interest in early learning, which led her to her preschool consultant role today.
Shery received a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and K-8 Teaching Credential from Cal State Fullerton, her Masters in Education from Azusa Pacific University and her Administrative Services Credential from the University of Redlands.
