We are glad to introduce a new member to our expert panel - Colleen Brunetti ... our Early Literacy (and Signing) Expert! Our experts will provide guest blog posts on specific topics, and help to answer questions that are submitted to us by our readers.

Colleen Brunetti is a Masters level educator with a heart for kids who need that special boost. She holds an undergraduate degree in Special Education and triple majored in Special Education, Elementary Education, and Communications. Her Master's Degree is in Literacy, focusing on diagnostic and remedial services for children at risk and/or experiencing reading difficulties. She has also completed additional post-graduate work as a Reading Consultant, with training in designing and implementing reading programs, and creating and leading professional development opportunities for teachers.

After seven years in the public school systems, where she worked as both a special educator and a reading specialist, she left the classroom to stay at home more with her son. For the past three years she has been an online college instructor with the Community College of Vermont, which has allowed her to stay at home and continue her commitment to teaching at the same time. In the Spring of 2010, Colleen started the company "Little Hands, Big Ideas", which specializes in sign language for kids, caregivers, and teachers.

Tressa and I met Colleen at our Early Childhood EXPO in January 2011, where she did a workshop presentation on using sign language with young children. We are so happy to have Colleen Brunetti on our panel, and we are looking forward to her posts on early literacy and signing. This is a very timely discussion, with our current book study of "Literacy Beginnings" (Fountas & Pinnell), too!!

Do you have a question on early literacy or signing with your kids/students? You can ask your questions by commenting below, or using the 'Ask the expert' submission form on the right-hand side of our blog!