Instructors
Infant Development: Stephany Van Dyke
Stephany has a passion for helping moms and adores children. As a nurse practitioner in private practice at Desert Sun Pediatrics she cares for children of all ages, counsels parents on the care and raising of their children, offers lactation consultation services to breast feeding moms, and teaches discipline classes for parents of preschoolers. While not consecutive, Stephany has taught the infant class for SPG for at least 5 years (she’s lost track of the exact number).
Stephany has been a pediatric nurse practitioner for 35 years. And, over those years she has been in private practices in Arizona, worked in developmental pediatrics in Vermont for Children with Special Health Needs, sat on the Vermont State Board for Mental Health and campaigned for the needs of families with children with mental illnesses on the State and National levels.
Family is a high priority for Stephany. Blissfully (most of the time!) married for 39 years, she and her husband have 5 children, both biological and adopted, and 5 grandchildren living in Vermont, Colorado, Canada, and Arizona. So, Stephany travels a lot! Her other interests include walking in the early morning hours, tole painting, boating, and trying new recipes.
1s: 12 - 24 months: Patti Carter
An Arizona native, Patti has a Bachelor’s degree in Education, a Master’s degree in Counseling and a Law degree. Over the past 14 years she has conducted a variety of workshops and courses on child development, parenting, and family relationships Patti also has her own consulting business and works with a variety of nonprofit organizations. She has been married to her husband, Ray, for 20 years and has 3 children: Leah 20, Mark 18, and Steven 16.
2s-3s: 24 - 35 months: Monique Nelson
Monique received her Bachelor’s of Science degree from Arizona State University in biology/premed. However, she had a slight change in career plans when she met and married her husband of 10 years, David. She decided to stay in the valley and went back to school to attain a degree in Nursing and became a registered nurse, with her focus on pediatrics. She works part time as a pediatric triage/advice nurse for North Scottsdale Pediatric Associates, where she has been employed the past 12 years. She teaches for SPG as well as for the North Central and East Valley Positive Parenting groups. She will also be taking on some discipline and newborn classes for North Scottsdale Pediatrics. She has two children: Taylor 7 and Dylan 2.
3s-4s: Christy Lundy
Christy Lundy is originally from Alabama. She has been in the valley for 9 years with her husband of 15 years, Dale, who is a pilot for US Airways. She is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She received her undergraduate degree from Harding University and earned her Graduate and Nurse Practitioner’s degrees from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). In the past, she has worked for Mendy’s Place and Scottsdale Healthcare. She currently works on an as-needed basis for several medical practices in Scottsdale. She is on the executive council for Desert Springs Preschool. First and foremost though, she stays at home with Ellie, age 4, and Gatlin, age 2.
5s-6s: Barb Grady
Barb has been teaching parenting classes for over 15 years. Originally from Wisconsin, she came to AZ to attend ASU in 1973. After earning her B.A. in Education in 1977, graduating cum laude with an academic specialization in early childhood education, she taught kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades for 12 years. Following the birth of her second daughter, she began teaching parenting classes for the North Central Parenting Group and the Parenting Development Institute at Gateway Community College.
In 1999, Barb launched Parenting Plus and expanded her teaching to include couples groups and personal growth groups. She completed her Master of Counseling degree from the University of Phoenix in March 2002, and has expanded her business to include individual and group counseling for adults and children. She has worked with both adults and children as a counselor and is a parent coach.
Barb's certifications: Nat'l Board Certified Counselor, Certified Guidance Counselor, Certified by the State Board of Directors for Community Colleges, Certified by the Arizona Department of Education.
Continued Parenting: 7 years and up: Tibby Cornelius
Tibby Cornelius is CEO (Coordinator of Exciting Optimism) and owner of her own company, Jest in Time, created to teach and motivate others to invite more laughter, humor and play into their lives. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Counseling degree. She is a Certified Parent Effectiveness Training instructor. a Certified MegaSkills Instructor, a Certified Positive Discipline Instructor, and is on the adjunct faculty of Phoenix College and the Arizona Government Training Services. She grew up in the Valley and has taught and facilitated groups for 30 years. She and her husband of more than 33 years have 3 grown sons, all married, and 5 wonderful grandchildren. She has worked with thousands of people nationally teaching them "how to live happily ever after".