Bernadette Towns has been a Professor of Child Development at Bakersfield College since 2000. She holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and a PhD in Education. Bernadette has been educating over 25 years and has taught every level of education from infant care to college. Dr. Towns has performed training and presented at numerous educational conferences throughout the United States and China on various educational topics: like concept building, developmentally appropriate practices, challenging behaviors, and cultural harmony. For the past three summers Bernadette has worked in China, training adults in western educational theories and teaching children English by utilizing the concept building approach. Aside from teaching Bernadette has served as lead for the Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education departments of Bakersfield College in the areas of curriculum, program review, and accreditation. In addition, Dr. Towns served three years as faculty co-chair of the assessment committee on the Bakersfield College campus.   She is a researcher and continues to study concept building in the framework of current practices. Her focus of study has been evaluating curriculum practices in America and China in relationship to educational improvement and concept building. Dr. Towns has a genuine desire to improve our educational system by sharing knowledge and using her talents of listening and problem solving.