Ann Barbour is a professor of early childhood education at California State University, Los Angeles. She received a B.A. in American Civilization, a M.Ed. in Elementary Education, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, with a specialization in Early Childhood Education. She has taught at preschool and elementary levels and has played an active role in education for 30 years. Ann has studied and written about topics as varied as the importance of building literacy skills at home, playground design that incorporates learning opportunities for children of all developmental needs and abilities, portfolio assessment, and the importance of supporting families to promote the healthy development of children. She is content advisor for A Place of Our Own/Los Ninos en Su Casa, a television series for parents and caregivers of children from birth to five, broadcast daily on public television stations throughout California. Blanche Desjean-Perrotta is an associate professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She teaches courses in the teacher-training program in early childhood education. She also teaches courses in an alternative teacher certification program for people returning for a second career. Blanche received a B.A. in Elementary Education, a M.Ed. in Early Childhood, a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, and an Ed.D. in Teaching and Teacher Education.
