Meet our team
Welcome
Douglas County Office
Heather Freilinger
Education
Experience in Early learning
Why I joined the CCRR team
I love that the CCR&R works to support amazing professionals in the professional field of early learning and care. As a former teacher, it is my greatest pleasure to support and resource teachers and care givers with incredible opportunities and resources. My role at the CCR&R allows me to bring all my leadership strengths to the table to serve providers, programs and our communities.
Michelle Bassett
Early Learning Support Specialist
Education
I am currently a Step 7 on the Oregon Registry and pending for Step 9. I attend Umpqua Community College pursuing my associate degrees in early childhood education and business administration.
Experience in Early learning
I joined Care Connections & Education in early 2019 as administrative support specifically working with budgeting and grants, training and conference logistics, CCR&R communications, and all things office processes related. I have 25+ years in business and adminstration management.
Why I joined the CCRR team
Theresa Songer-Tuckey
Education
Experience in Early learning
Why I joined the CCRR team
Danielle McKiddy
Preschool Promise Facilitator
Education
Experience in Early learning
Why I joined the CCRR team
Cherry Camonayan
Early Childhood Cohort Navigator for Umpqua Community College
Education
Bachelors Degree in Child Development and Family Studies
Experience in Early learning
Why I joined the CCRR team
Barbara Lynch
Education
Experience in Early learning
Why I joined the CCRR team
Klamath County Office
Melisa Miner
Preschool Promise Facilitator
Education
Bachelor of Science Sociology, minor Native American Studies, Montana State University
Master’s degrees:
Master of Science Criminal Justice – concentration Behavior Analysis, St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA
Master of Education Infant Toddler Mental Health, Portland State University
Experience in Early learning
I’ve worked in the field of Early learning for many years with varied positions including classroom teacher for both Pre-K and preschool and as a behavior specialist for children ages 3–6-years old. I have also worked as a Behavior Care coordinator supporting children with Autism. Currently, I am a Preschool Promise Facilitator and work with Early childhood professionals in Klamath, Lake, and Douglas counties. I provide coaching and technical assistance to Preschool Promise grant providers by supporting childcare practices in alignment with the grant manual. This includes elevating the provider’s understanding of each piece of the early learning system so administrators and teaching teams are better able to support the families and children in their care. I am also a Master trainer for the state of Oregon and offer a variety of training options throughout the year to Early learning professionals.
Why I joined the CCRR team
I joined the CCRR team because of the opportunity to elevate the teaching profession in Southern Oregon. What an honor to support the hard working early learning professionals in our area so they are better able to support families and children in their care. In this area we are considered a “childcare desert”, so for me, it is crucially important to help build the supply of high-quality childcare providers so more young children have the opportunity to be part of high-quality learning which can ultimately affect their lives into adulthood.
I’m able to help people through CCR&R work by developing supportive relationships with Early learning professionals in my area. I support the development of young children in childcare settings by offering training and professional development to established providers as well as prospective providers. By offering a variety of trainings such as Spark (Oregon’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System) or the Second Step curriculum, I can help providers elevate their early childhood care and educational programing so children can enjoy success in school. I also offer information on starting a childcare business and partner with providers as they work through steps to become licensed providers. As a Preschool Promise Facilitator, I provide coaching and technical assistance to site administration and their teaching teams by visiting classrooms and supporting administration.
Erica Hinshaw
Education
Experience in Early learning
Why I joined the CCRR team
Coming Soon
Quality Improvement Specialist and Early Childhood
Cohort Navigator for Klamath Community College
Coming Soon
Regional Inclusive Facilitator- Bilingual
Experience in Early learning