Preschool & Early Childhood Education
Creating Developmentally Appropriate, Engaging, and Responsive Learning Environments
Early childhood is a critical time for laying the foundation of lifelong learning—and Stephanie Lester brings over four decades of experience in leading, designing, and supporting early childhood education programs that promote whole-child development. As an educational consultant, former Early Childhood Education Director, and preschool teacher, Stephanie offers practical, research-based guidance to help educators create classrooms where children, staff, and families thrive.
Stephanie specializes in helping early educators implement Developmentally Appropriate Practices that foster high levels of engagement, exploration, and creativity. Through professional development, coaching, and classroom observation, she supports the design of effective environments grounded in age-appropriate routines, schedules, and behavior management systems. Her approach emphasizes creating a safe, inclusive, and positive learning atmosphere where every child is encouraged to explore, build relationships, and experience success.
Effectively guiding young children’s behavior is essential to building nurturing classrooms that support learning. Stephanie provides training and coaching on a variety of guidance models including Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Second Step Social-Emotional Curriculum, and Conscious Discipline. Her support includes modeling how to embed principles of guidance—like consistent routines, clear expectations, and respectful communication—into daily classroom practices. Educators leave her sessions with tools to create calm, respectful, and developmentally responsive environments.
Stephanie believes that families are essential partners in early learning. She brings deep experience in community outreach and home–school connections, including organizing Kindergarten Transition Fairs, STEM Family Events, and Partners in Print workshops. She supports schools in building authentic relationships with families through strategies like literacy backpacks, home newsletters, and take-home book programs—ensuring learning continues beyond the classroom.
Stephanie is also a successful grant writer, with a strong track record of securing local and community-based funding to enrich early childhood classrooms. She can assist programs with identifying grant opportunities and writing compelling proposals that support hands-on learning, family engagement, and expanded access to quality early learning experiences.
Stephanie Lester – Educational Consultant & Instructional Leader
Stephanie is a nationally respected consultant, speaker, author, and college instructor with extensive experience in preschool and early childhood education, curriculum leadership, and instructional coaching.
To learn more about early childhood consulting services or to schedule a customized training session, contact Stephanie Lester.
Fall and spring DRDP results for 2014 - 2015 indicated:
0%
gain in students at building and
integrating in Self and Social Development.
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gain in students at building and
integrating in Language and Literacy.
0%
gain in students at building and
integrating in Mathematics.
As a director of an Early Childhood Education program I applied and was awarded several grants from various local state and federal funding sources.
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Parents satisfied or very satisfied
from completed surveys.
(59% of parents completed surveys)
0%
of parents responded that they felt their child was happy in the program
0%
of parents responded that they felt their child was safe in the program
Testimonials
