EXPERIENCED STARS / MERIT APPROVED TRAINERS

 

SafeGard Classes Online trainers are approved by the Washington Department of Early Learning (DEL) for STARS / MERIT credit.  All of our child care classes approved in Washington may be used to meet your annual STARS / MERIT training hours.  As an IACET Accredited Provider, our classes also offer continuing education units (CEUs).

Our trainers not only hold advanced degrees in their areas of expertise, but they also have extensive experience in child care and know exactly what issues child care professionals face every day!  Among our team, there is a combined total of more than 100 years of experience in child growth and development!  As a result, you can be assured our classes offer practical and useful guidance that you can put to use right away.

Let us introduce you to our primary trainers:

Jamie Baskin - Jamie received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She has been involved in the child care field for over 35 years and in that time has been licensed as a family child care provider, worked as a teacher in every age classroom in several centers and worked as a Director/Supervisor/Curriculum Development Specialist in four large centers. She teaches at a local Community College and is a field advisor for the National CDA Council. Jamie has been involved in online training for over ten years and is the author of the core basic course offered on our site.

Jamie lives in Washington State and is a mother and grandmother who especially enjoys spending time with her grandchild. She also enjoys such activities as bowling, four-wheeling and hiking in her free time.

Lisa Torgerson - Lisa has her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and her Master's in Childhood Special Education. She has been in the field of Early Childhood Education (ECE) for over 25 years. Initially she operated her own family child care and later went on to run two child care facilities. Most recently she has been working directly with children with special needs. She has been involved in providing ongoing education and training to Child Care providers over the last ten years. She states that, "I am dedicated to the field of ECE and will continue to work towards the recognition of people who dedicate their lives to children."

Lisa currently lives in Nevada and is the mother of two. She enjoys the outdoors: hiking, swimming and is a ‘crazy dog lover.’

Scott Liebler - Scott is a teacher, writer, trainer and motor development specialist working primarily with early childhood populations since 1985.  He developed his unique Funsical program to provide a fun and effective curriculum for developing children's strength, balance, endurance and coordination using movement, music and vocalization activities.  The activities are based on techniques used by professional educators, medical professionals and therapists to help children achieve optimal learning, communication and physical performing abilities. 

Scott has been teaching children and training teachers in preschools and child care centers since 1985.  He has received numerous foundation grants to develop curriculum and provide training programs for early childhood professionals.  He has collaborated with Colorado State University as the program director for Happy Feet, a physical activity training program for Head Start communities throughout CO.  He was the full time fitness director for Crème de la Crème Learning Center for four years and has spent three years teaching English and developing the Funsical English program in South Korea. 

He is an adjunct faculty member of Front Range and Red Rocks Community Colleges in Denver, CO, a seminar presenter for the Bureau of Education and Research (BER) and administers the Moving and Improving program for early childhood communities.

Linda Crisalli - Linda has been actively involved in early childhood education (ECE) since 1969.  She has a certificate in Collaborative Leadership in ECE, a BA in ECE and an extensive amount of additional education and training in a wide range or subject areas.  Her long history working with and on behalf of young children and their families, including psitions as a center director, program director, field director, teacher trainer, parent educator, teacher, mentor, case manager, advocate, consultant, CDA advisor, licensed home provider, parent, foster parent, church school teacher and author.

 

If you'd like to know more about our training team or have any questions for our trainers, please contact us at [email protected].