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Meet Our 2026 Conference Speakers
Kyree Chambers
Opening Keynote | Tattling, Teasing, and Taking: Teaching Social Skills in Real Time
Kyree Chambers discovered Conscious Discipline early in her career. After receiving her bachelor’s degrees in Elementary and Special Education, Kyree spent her teaching career in the preschool room. She also served as a Director of a Private Childcare/Preschool. Kyree finds deep joy in walking beside educators that face increasing demands and challenging behaviors. Conscious Discipline has inspired all areas of her life and she is always looking for ways to inspire others from children, to educators, to parents.
Sherry Tiegs
Closing Keynote | Social Emotional Development: An Individual Approach to Behavior Guidance
Sherry Tiegs is an early childhood educator, trainer, and coursewriter with over 35 years of experience caring for and teaching young children in early childhood programs. She combines real-life stories from her program with current best practices to create trainings that are practical, encouraging, and easy to apply the very next day. Sherry is passionate about play-based learning, child development, and supporting educators as professionals and leaders in their communities. Her workshops are down-to-earth, interactive, and focused on helping participants feel seen, valued, and inspired to keep doing this important work.
Nancy Berndt
Nancy Berndt is a trainer speaker and experienced licensor who is willing to tackle tough topics. She enjoys using her experience and knowledge to support child care professionals, promote safety and well-being within programs, and bring a sense of practical insight and humor to those providing care for others.
Ray Harrell
My name is Ray Harrell, my wife (Kelly) and I started Training For Life in 2021 after seeing there was a need for CPR instructors in rural MN. Kelly spent 35 years in childcare and was most recently the infant room teacher at Little Stangs in Buffalo Lake. I have been an EMT & Fire Fighter for Buffalo Lake for 22 years & served on 3M emergency brigade for 17 years. I have had the honor of saving multiple lives with the use of CPR & an AED. We enjoy teaching others in our First Aid & CPR classes. We truly believe in our company vision: “We believe through proper training, you can save a life too.”
Kelly Nokelby
Kelly grew up in a licensed child care home and was a licensed provider for 12 years. Kelly worked for the Child and Adult Care Food Program as a field representative for 9 years. Kelly has been facilitating workshops around the country for child care professionals and tax professionals for over 35 years. Kelly started Books by Kelly to ensure that child care professionals had a resource to help them to understand tax law as it applies to the child care industry. Kelly is an EA [Enrolled Agent, credential number 87071]. She served on the National Board of Directors for NATP [National Association of Tax Professionals] and as Past-President for the Minnesota Chapter of NATP.
Desi Oberg
Desi has over 10 years of Early Childhood experience. Before joining the First Children’s Finance team, Desi worked as a Preschool teacher in a Certified Center, and transitioned to a Coordinator role for a licensed and certified school-based child care program. Desi has a passion for the early childhood field and enjoys helping others start and grow sustainable, quality, early care and education programs.
Helene I. Sherley-Pearson
Helene I. Sherley-Pearson is a Chicago native with over 25 years of experience in education, spanning K–8 teaching, K–12 school counseling, and school administration. She proudly served Chicago Public Schools for two decades before relocating to Minnesota in 2019. Helene is the middle child in her family and the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, Haley and Megan.
Helene earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota and holds two Master’s Degrees—one in School Counseling and another in Educational Leadership. For the past six years, she has served as the Director of Agape 24- Hour Child Development Center, Minnesota’s first and only licensed 24-hour child care center. Under her leadership, Agape provides odd-hour care to scholars across Hennepin County and seven surrounding counties.
A passionate advocate for early childhood education, Helene is a certified Develop MN Trainer and Course Writer. She is known for developing dynamic educational programs, fostering scholar growth, and leading high-impact staff development initiatives that empower educators and enrich learning environments.
Sherry Tiegs
Sherry Tiegs has over 35 years of experience in early childhood education and 10 years as a trainer. With a degree in child development, she is passionate about supporting children’s growth and learning while fostering strong connections with families. Sherry creates engaging, meaningful training sessions that inspire educators and reignite their love for the profession. She thrives on connecting with childcare professionals, sharing practical tools, and encouraging high-quality, developmentally appropriate practices. Based in Stevens County, Minnesota, Sherry is dedicated to empowering educators to support creative, enriching environments that help every child thrive.
Laura Walser
Laura Walser is an inclusion coach and training coordinator with 20 years of experience in child care and public school systems. She has a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education. As a passionate advocate for inclusion, her approach to challenging behaviors is patient, collaborative, and skill-based—helping educators and leaders create a supportive and inclusive learning environment for every child.
Laura’s training is dynamic and relatable, using storytelling to make complex topics easy to understand and apply, while also providing early child care professionals with the resources and support they need to feel more confident and competent in their roles.
Kale Weber
Kale brings over 14 years of diverse experience in the field of early childhood education. Her extensive background includes direct care in a center setting, Parent Aware quality coaching, and professional development and workforce advising. She also has expanded her expertise in Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) as a course facilitator working to promote equitable practices within the educational setting. Her educational background is in Early Childhood and Communication Sciences & Disorders from St. Cloud State University. She started her career with First Children’s Finance in September of 2024.
Carrie Zelin Johnson M.Ed
Carrie Zelin Johnson M.Ed. helps individuals, organizations and schools achieve positive outcomes. She has directed and founded equity-driven programs and c community initiatives. Roles as a mental health practitioner, director, home visitor, provider, teacher, and parent inform her advocacy and consultancy to support children, families, and professionals. In 2025, Carrie received the MNAEYC Distinguished Service Award.
Disclaimer: Courses and trainers listed are subject to change. If a trainer is unavailable, another Develop-approved training may be provided in their place.