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Kate Yount
Kate Yount is an Early Childhood Special Education Professional Development Specialist with STAR NET Region IV. She earned her LBS1 and Early Childhood Special Education certification from Eastern Illinois University. Before joining STAR NET, Kate taught special education for Kindergarten, first, and second grade in Chicago Public Schools for eight years. She and her husband have two children. Passionate about education, Kate enjoys collaborating with teachers and staff to foster a data-driven, supportive, and caring classroom community. Her experience and dedication help educators create inclusive learning environments that meet the diverse needs of young children with disabilities.
Upcoming Events
October 2025
DAP in Action: Teaching Young Learners with Disabilities for ECSE and Blended Preschool Teachers – Live Webinar
"DAP in Action: Teaching Young Learners with Disabilities the Right Way!" Unlock the power of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) in your early childhood classroom! This engaging and interactive workshop is designed specifically for teachers and paraprofessionals working with young students with disabilities. Dive into the latest NAEYC guidelines, explore practical strategies, and discover how to […]
Find out more »November 2025
Designing Inclusive Classrooms: Creating Spaces Where Every Child Thrives for ECSE and Blended Preschool Teachers – Live Webinar
"Designing Inclusive Classrooms: Creating Spaces Where Every Child Thrives!" Every child deserves a classroom where they feel welcome, valued, and ready to learn! This engaging workshop is designed for Early Childhood teachers and paraprofessionals working with young students with disabilities. Discover how to create an inclusive, developmentally appropriate classroom environment that supports all learners. Learn […]
Find out more »January 2026
Preschool Pyramid Model of Social Emotional Support Cohort Series: Tiers 2 and 3 – Live Webinar Series (Jan.6th, Feb.3rd, March 3rd, April 14th)
The Pyramid Model is a scientifically based positive behavioral framework that promotes evidence-based practices to teach social-emotional competencies to all young children. The framework identifies key skills for supporting relationships, creating learning environments, teaching targeted social-emotional skills, and supporting children with challenging behavior. This workshop provides an in-depth look at Tiers 2 and 3 of […]
Find out more »Building Safety and Trust: Trauma-Informed Practices in Early Childhood for ECSE and Blended Preschool Teachers – Webinar
Creating safe, trusting, and supportive learning environments is essential for all young children, especially those in early childhood special education and blended preschool settings. This workshop, Building Safety and Trust: Trauma-Informed Practices in Early Childhood, will equip educators with practical strategies to recognize and respond to the impact of trauma on children’s behavior, learning, and […]
Find out more »February 2026
Book Study: Lisa Murphy on Play: The Foundation of Children’s Learning – A book study for ECSE and Blended Preschool Teachers – Live Webinar Series (Feb.4th, Feb.12th, Feb.19th, Feb. 26th)
Registration deadline is Monday, January 12, 2026, at 3:00 pm. Discover the power of play through the lens of Lisa Murphy on Play: The Foundation of Children’s Learning. These sessions explore how child-led, hands-on experiences support all areas of development for every child, with special attention to children with disabilities in early childhood inclusive settings. […]
Find out more »Supporting Early Literacy Through Intentional Practice for ECSE and Blended Preschool Teachers – Live Webinar
Building strong early literacy skills is essential for every child’s success. This session explores effective, developmentally appropriate literacy practices that support all learners, including children with disabilities, dual language learners, and those with diverse learning needs. Participants will gain practical strategies for fostering language development, emergent reading, and writing skills in an inclusive preschool classroom. […]
Find out more »March 2026
Book Study: Inclusion Includes Us – A book study for ECSE and Blended Preschool Teachers – Live Webinar Series (March 2, 2026 and March 16, 2026)
Registration deadline is Monday, February 9, 2026, at 3:00 pm. The book study on Inclusion Includes Us: Building Bridges and Removing Barriers in Early Childhood Classrooms by Mike Huber will focus on shifting educators’ thinking from binary thinking to constellation thinking. Participants will explore how to create true inclusion and belonging in every classroom, with […]
Find out more »
