A Lil Sass & Laughter: Building Inclusive Education with Kassy Lopez-Sonchar

Dr. Kassy Lopez-Sonchar Summary: Long-time friends, Andy and Kassy enjoy their time together discussing early education and their paths since parting ways as third grade teacher partners many years ago! Kassy presents her research findings on the impact of preschool attendance on kindergarten readiness for Indigenous students, emphasizing the role of classroom time in improving readiness skills. The two friends share their experience teaching students from the reservation and stressed the importance of culturally responsive training for educators. They also discuss their shared passion for early childhood education and mental health consultation, particularly in tribal communities. Kassy shares her extensive experience working with tribal nations and indigenizing the Special Olympics young athletes' curriculum, emphasizing the importance of inclusive practices and play-based learning in early childhood education. They also talk about leadership and empowerment in education, emphasizing the need for positive relationships, shared decision-making, and trust within teams. Kassy opens about her entrepreneurial journey, sharing the personal significance of the name Lil Sass Early Childhood Consultation and her decision to start her own practice after feeling limited by an organization. They touch on the impact of inclusive practices on Kassy's career, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in education. Additionally, they explore the idea of empowering future generations through learning from mistakes and play, highlighting the significance of reflection and improvement. Ultimately, Kassy and Andy advocated for a workplace environment that prioritizes mental health and positivity, emphasizing the impact of laughter on releasing happy chemicals in the brain. Bio: Dr. Kassy has over 20 years of experience in the field of education. She has been a teacher, director, curriculum coordinator, early childhood mental health consultant, psychology professor, and early childhood education college professor. Dr. Kassy has collaborated with Native American and Alaska Native Head Start programs for a decade. Currently, she is an ECE faculty member at Pikes Peak State College in Colorado Springs. Additionally, Dr. Kassy is contracted with Special Olympics Young Athletes as a consultant to Indigenize the curriculum. Integrating traditional games, language, and food into the fully inclusive program of Special Olympics is groundbreaking work. Most recently, Dr. Kassy started her own early childhood consultation business, where training and support are built on a foundation of mental health. Her deepest passion is to positively impact the lives of children and support the adults who have a direct impact on their learning and well-being. Links: https://www.a-lil-sass.com/