Bisa Batten Lewis "Don't be afraid to stand on a mountain of NOs for one YES!" -- B. Smith Company: Ideal Early Learning, LLC Location: Atlanta, GA Website: www.idealearlylearning.com

Biography:
Bisa Batten Lewis is the founder and managing partner of Ideal Early Learning, LLC -- a service company devoted to providing high-quality consultation and training for early care and education practitioners. For over 16 years, she has worked in various capacities in the field of early childhood education ranging from preschool to the college level.

Bisa is a renowned early learning consultant and trainer, motivational speaker, and published author. She has written children s books, chapters in college-level textbooks, a preschool curriculum, an assortment of articles, newsletters and more. Her first children s book, How Flowers Get Their Colors, was published in 2004 by Ashley & Taylor Publishing. Her latest children s book, Let s Potty, was published by Our Rainbow Press and released at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Annual Conference in 2006 and has since gained international acclaim.

Bisa is a doctoral candidate in Adult Education at the University of Georgia having earned the Bachelor of Science and Master of Education Degrees in Early Childhood Education at Albany State University. She gained teaching experience as a paraprofessional, elementary school teacher, and university instructor and administrative experience as a youth project/program director, child development center director, independent sales director, and academic dean.

With high adoration for children, Bisa serves on numerous early learning boards, leadership councils, and committees and continuously participates in community endeavors related to empowering women, preserving families and advocating for children. She serves as a role model for teen girls volunteering in organizations, such as Girls, Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters, Inc., Family Connections, and teen pregnancy prevention programs. Her life goal is to enlighten the minds of parents and teachers, in hopes that all children will have sufficient opportunities to learn.

Bisa has conducted workshops and presented at conferences throughout the country and abroad for clients including Georgia Public Broadcasting/PBS Kids, Head Start, United Way, Smart Start Georgia, Black Child Development Institute, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Marine Corps, Georgia Association on Young Children, the Sunshine House, YMCA, assorted public school systems, private schools, colleges/universities, and non-profit organizations.

Availability:
Available to speak on early care and education, parenting/family involvement, entrepreneurship, and motivation.