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CREATED WITH CARE
by

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MARIE ROUSSO & WILL MAURER 

Marie and Will had their first child at the start of the pandemic, allowing them to experience every moment together for the first two years.  This meaningful time together served as the inspiration for The Babbles, with a goal to provide other parents with research, resources and more mindfully developed experiences to support families during the most important period of development.

 

Prior to the birth of their son, Marie and Will spent many years working with children while they put themselves through school.  They launched their first company in 2010 and quickly gained notoriety for their philanthropic and mission driven business model, partnering with dozens of local and national nonprofit organizations.

 

Will has since shared his work on children's media reform on the TEDx stage and as a keynote speaker at early childhood conferences across the globe. Marie has been leading the creative and conscious development of The Babbles to ensure it remains a resource that families can trust and benefit from.

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EDUCATION & RESEARCH

BRIGITTE K. HIX  

The social, emotional and cognitive development of young children has been a passion that Brigitte has pursued over her 40+ years of experience working as an early childhood consultant, teacher, director, education coordinator, special needs instructor, trainer, mentor, and curriculum development specialist.​

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DEGREES:

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education; West Chester University

Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education; Holy Family University

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CERTIFICATIONS:

  • Zero to Three Certified Trainer: The Growing Brain

  • Professional Development Specialist Certification; Higher Education; Council of Professional Recognition

  • The Growing Brain, prenatal through 5 years; Certified Trainer

  • Critical Competencies, 0 through 5 years; Certified Trainer

  • Early Learning Directors Credential

  • Special Needs Instructor, 0 through 5; Addressing the Social/Emotional & Cognitive Development of children on the Autism Spectrum

  • PA Elementary Education Teacher Certification; Kindergarten through grade 6 

  • PA Special Education Teacher Certification; PreK through grade 8

  • PA Quality Assurance Specialist Certification; Higher Education

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ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • Executive Director / Owner of a PA Keys Star early learning center for 30 successful years, licensed by the PA Department of Education for Preschool and Kindergarten.

  • Taught Preschool and Kindergarten for 10 years, in an inclusive environment.

  • Created programs that provided for underprivileged families, which included subsidized school lunches, free child care, diapers and other necessities.

  • Educated and mentored directors, teachers, caregivers and families supporting children's social-emotional development over the past 40 years.

  • Provided technical assistance and training to Early Learning Centers who participated in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) which is administered at the federal level by the USDA and at the state level by the PA Department of Education.

  • Observed and evaluated environment, programming and curriculums.

  • Developed curriculum across all developmental domains highlighting social and emotional intelligence for Infants through Kindergarten.

  • Instructor; research-based design, develop and deliver developmentally appropriate curriculum to address a wide variety of needs for school staff from management.

  • Member of the Bensalem Township School Board; Bucks County, PA.

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As a College Instructor, I have designed, developed and delivered College credit bearing developmentally appropriate courses for Early Childhood Educators and Directors to address a wide variety of topics:

  • CDA National Credentialing Program for Early Childhood Educators

  • National Child Development Competency Standards

  • School Age Professional Development Credential

  • Child Development 0 through 8

  • Observation and Assessment

  • Early Learning Standards

  • Curriculum Development for the Early Years

  • Program Management for Child Care Directors

  • Theorists contributions to the ECE community

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DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

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Jacopo Giacopuzzi

As a soloist and chamber musician, Jacopo has performed recitals at major festivals and venues throughout the United States and Europe, while winning 14 international competitions. He has performed under the direction of world renowned conductors such as Dian Tchobanov, Robert Wills, and many others. He has taught at the Conservatory of Verona E.F.Dall’Abaco, worked as a collaborative pianist at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels, and has been invited to serve on competition juries and to give presentations, masterclasses and concerts across the globe. As a father of 2, Jacopo is passionate about using his talents to create music and musical experiences that support children's connection and relationship with the arts.

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