About our authors
Marjorie J. Kostelnik is emeritus professor in Child, Youth and Family Studies at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. A former Head Start, childcare, and preprimary teacher, as well as elementary school specialist, Dr. Kostelnik remains actively involved in helping early childhood educators explore the implications of developmentally appropriate practices. She has worked with over 100 programs internationally and in the United States. Most recently, Marjorie was co-chair of the statewide Nebraska Early Childhood Workforce Commission. She served on the Dimensions Foundation Board (focused on nature education for young children) and continues to serve on the Educare of Lincoln Board (supporting children and families living in poverty).
Anne K. Soderman is professor emerita from Michigan State University where she taught courses on early childhood curriculum and assessment, receiving the Distinguished Faculty award. Dr. Soderman has consulted with educators in curriculum and assessment nationally and in over 30 international settings. She has coauthored seven books and numerous journal articles on literacy and assessment. For her last assignment, Anne worked with teachers and administrators in Beijing, China, creating an international school that now serves families and children from more than 25 nations, enrolled in nursery through grade 6.
Michelle Rupiper is professor emeritus of the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. During her 25 years at UNL she taught many classes related to early childhood education and served as the director of the Ruth Staples Child Development Laboratory. Prior to her time at UNL Michelle served as a classroom teacher for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children and directed community early childhood programs. Michelle now spends much of her time consulting with early childhood programs and school districts in Nebraska as well as national and international programs.
Alice Phipps Whiren is professor emeritus of the Department of Family and Child Ecology, Michigan State University. She taught curriculum in early childhood and child development to undergraduate and graduate students and was supervisor of the Child Development Laboratories. Early in her career, she taught young children in an inner-city public school in Michigan. She also served as a Head Start assistant director and has provided a variety of training sessions for preprimary teachers nationally and internationally.
