Building healthy relationships and strong families

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Meet the Admins

Kristen MacNeil

Kristen has a Masters in School Psychology and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She works full time as a Psychologist. She has two children and provides parent coaching, parenting classes, and currently co-leads the Creative Play for Toddlers program in her spare time. Kristen is the President of The Gentle Parenting Institute, Inc. and is an administrator for the WNY, Central Maryland, and Greater Houston chapters. If interested in speaking engagements or consulting services, please email info@gentleparentinginstitute.com.

Sara Kensinger

Sara has a Bachelors in Inclusive Childhood Education. She worked as a Lead Infant Teacher for a daycare until the birth of her first son. Sara was a stay-at-home-parent for about 5 years, until she went back to work as a substitute teacher for a Waldorf school. Sara is the Vice President of The Gentle Parenting Institute, Inc. She co-leads the Creative Play for Toddlers program, and has previously been a co-leader for the Improving Birth – Buffalo Chapter. Sara has two children, and is an administrator for the WNY, Central Maryland, and Greater Houston chapters.

Melissa Stadler

Melissa Stadler has a Master’s Degree in Social Work with concentrations in early childhood development and trauma-informed care. She homeschools her three children and also works at the WNY Center for the Visually Impaired. Melissa is a Board Member for The Gentle Parenting Institute, Inc. and is an administrator for the WNY and Central Maryland chapters. Melissa is available for private consultation and is particularly invested in supporting families of children with special medical or developmental needs. If interested in consulting services, please email info@gentleparentinginstitute.com.

Kristine Buscaglia

Kristine is a special education teacher working in Early Intervention providing services and evaluations for families of children birth-3. She’s worked in a variety of other settings – therapeutic preschool, self-contained city public school, and home visitor through Early Head Start as well. She recently began working as an adjunct professor teaching an infant-toddler care & education course, hoping to instill in future teachers the very necessary theoretical frameworks and current neuroscience/research that supports working with children and families from a philosophy grounded in respect. Kristine has 3 adventurous, curious and active girls, and is a Board Member for The Gentle Parenting Institute, Inc. She is an administrator for the WNY, Central Maryland, and Greater Houston chapters.

Check back often as we add to our amazing team!