Presenters

Mitch Factor has been a lead teacher in Tribal Head Start for over 30 years and now presents to Tribal Head Start staff and employees across the United States, Alaska, and Canada. He specializes in wellness, parent and family involvement, male involvement, and fostering collective efforts among staff to benefit children and families. Mitch is an active presenter at various conferences, including national and Tribal events. Additionally, he is a humorist who enjoys incorporating laughter and fun into his presentations

Howie Morales has served as New Mexico’s Lieutenant Governor since 2019, advocating for students, educators, and rural communities. A champion for higher education and career programs, he has successfully pushed for better pay and respect for educators. He played a key role in establishing the Early Childhood Education and Care Department, which has received national recognition for its work in diagnosing developmental disabilities in infants and toddlers. Additionally, Howie secured a historic $20 million in 2023 for afterschool and summer learning programs, particularly benefiting rural areas.

Marcia Lee Unnever is a certified New Mexico Educational Trainer in Early Childhood, author of Breathe - Move – Learn with Young Children (2024, Paul H. Brookes Publishing), featured TEDxABQED speaker, and a popular conference presenter. Her book and program are a unique combination of mindful breathing, brain-friendly physical activity for the classroom, and social-emotional learning. She recently received rave reviews for her presentation at the 2024 NHSA National Conference. A teacher since 1970, Marcia is the founder of Kids Focus, a program dedicated to helping every child grow into strong, positive, healthy, and smart learners.

Casey Lafferty is a dedicated early childhood educator and advocate with over 25 years of experience. She holds a Master's in Early Childhood, a Bachelor's in Organizational Management and Leadership, and an Associate's in Early Childhood. Currently, she serves as the Deputy Division Director for Policy, Research, and Quality Initiatives at the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), where she develops projects to enhance early childhood program quality. Additionally, Casey is the Director of New Mexico's Head Start State Collaboration Office, working to improve outcomes for children and families through strategic partnerships.