Evening with the Experts

Expert: Cindy Bruni MS

Cindy Bruni is a Clinician in the Family Pathways Program at West River Mental Health in Rapid City, South Dakota. Cindy is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She received her BA in Psychology from Missouri Southern State University in 1992 and her MS in Clinical Psychology from Abilene Christian University in 1995.

Cindy has conducted research studying the correlation between behavioral disorders and mental health diagnoses in female adolescents. Cindy’s post-master’s experience has included supervising a Therapeutic Nursery Day Treatment Program for children ages two to eight; providing individual, family, and group therapy for children, ages 0 to 18, and their parents; and mentoring incarcerated juveniles. Her current position primarily focuses on behavior difficulties and trauma in ages 3 to 18, including work with neurodiverse children.

Expert: Dr. Breon Derby

Dr. Breon Derby is a Spearfish native and alumni of Black Hills State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with minors in health and coaching. After graduation, she taught high school physical education and health education at Lead-Deadwood High School. She earned a Master of Education with emphasis in Physical Education degree from Chadron State College and then took a position in their HPER department. She always dreamed of teaching with her mentor, Dr. Betsy Silva, and that came true when she took a position in the Physical Education Department at BHSU in the fall of 2014. She completed her Doctorate in Health Education in May 2017 and her research interests revolve around wellness.

While at BHSU, she has taught a variety of undergraduate health and physical education courses. Her goal is to create a positive classroom environment where students are comfortable being authentic. In addition to leaving her classroom with more knowledge, she hopes students are empowered to become better people.

She believes in living her life in balance. She enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband and daughters, and attributes her passion for the field of education to her parents, who taught for over a combined 70 years! She is very grateful to have two amazing, supportive, loving parents as personal and professional role models. She loves being active, including running and golfing. She also loves to travel and create memories. She hopes to have a long career at BHSU so she can give back to the students, campus, and community who have given so much to her.

Expert: Anne Meeker Watson, Ph.D., MT-BC - Sing, Play, Love

Dr. Anne Meeker Watson is the founder of the SING.PLAY.LOVE. program. Through her writing, product development, and workshops, she shares information about the benefits of music and play to support early learning and kindergarten readiness and gives easy and practical strategies for embedding both into the daily lives of young children. Her program is being used all over the country and across the globe, most recently making its debut in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

Anne has taught music to students from preschool through college levels. She received the Excellence in Teaching award given by the Learning Exchange, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, and the Kansas City Star. She was a commission member of the Vision 2020 Housewright Symposium on the Future of Music Education sponsored by the Music Educators National Conference.

Anne’s specific research interest is the use of music for helping with the social-emotional and communication skills of young children. She was invited to share her work on social-emotional development at the National Training Institute Addressing Young Children with Challenging Behaviors. Her research on music to support early language was published in the International Journal for Research in Music Education. She is the author of the popular Baby Sing & Sign book series (Perseus Books Group) and SING & SIGN for Young Children: A Guide for Early Childhood Professionals (Brookes Publishing, 2021).

She is a frequent trainer and presenter across the country, including conference presentations for the National Center for Parents as Teachers, National Head Start Association, Division of Early Childhood, Zero to Three, NAEYC Institute, the National Association for Music Education, and the American Music Therapy Association.

Her music for children earned National Association of Parenting Publications and Parent’s Choice Honors awards.

Expert: Dr. Rudia Kihura

Dr. Kihura is an Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology & Early Childhood in School of Education. She was born and raised in Kenya, East Africa. She attended Egerton University, Kenya Technical Teachers College, and Kenyatta University in Kenya.

Dr. Kihura taught grades 9-12 in Kituro High School, Alliance Girls High School, and St’ Annes Girls High School-Kiriari in Kenya. Later, Dr. Rudia W. Kihura moved to Iowa City, IA and completed graduate studies in Special Education at The University of Iowa. Previously Dr. Kihura served as an Advisor, International Health, Safety & Security and a Senior Advisor, International Student and Scholar Services at The University of Iowa.

Her research interest areas: student dropout, inclusive education, emotional/behavioral disorders-positive behavior supports, learning disabilities, teacher preparation in special education, trauma, and multiculturalism in special education (among teachers and exceptional children).

Expert: Sydney Haugland - BHSU

Dr. Sydney Haugland is originally from Houston, Texas, and moved to Spearfish, South Dakota during middle school. After finishing high school in Spearfish, she completed her undergraduate degree in Creative Advertising and Elementary Education at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. With a desire to live in the Midwest and closer to family, she began teaching in the Cherry Creek School District in Denver, Colorado, while earning an M.Ed. with an emphasis in Special Education from Regis University and Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Gifted and Talented from the University of Denver.

From 2006-2016, she was an Elementary Education teacher in grades 2nd-5th and supported learners K-5 as a Special Education teacher. In 2016, she relocated back to Spearfish and taught 4th grade for two years while directing the afterschool Gifted and Talented Enrichment Program. In 2018, she took the opportunity to work with preservice teachers pursuing their elementary education degrees at BHSU. “Learning and growing with our preservice teachers is fulfilling and meaningful work. I really enjoy supporting them along their journey in the field of education.” 

Dr. Haugland teaches a variety of undergraduate courses for the School of Education and continuing education for practicing teachers, specializing in literacy, instruction and differentiation, assessment, coaching, and teacher wellness. She also serves on several School of Education and BHSU committees and volunteers in local classrooms. Her research interests include professional development for practicing teachers, literacy, and pre-service teacher preparation.

Dr. Haugland lives in Spearfish with her husband and three children. Together, they enjoy camping, listening to music, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Expert: Andrea Neff-DSS

Andrea Neff is a Child Care Licensing Specialist with the Department of Social Services, Office of Licensing & Accreditation. Andrea moved from a small town called Lake City, FL to Rapid City, SD, seven and half years ago, trading the sun and sand for snow and hills.

With a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education Andrea has spent over twenty years in the field, holding numerous roles across the Early Childhood Education profession. Her diverse experience includes roles as an infant/toddler and preschool teacher, founding and directing a Preschool & Daycare in Florida, and coaching, mentoring and training in early childhood education.

Andrea is passionate about building connections and fostering community with the directors, providers and programs she collaborates with daily. Her goal is to create a positive and supportive experience through her licensing work.