Cindy Rzasa Bess, Ph.D. – Owner of The Bess Choice!
Primary Presenter of all The Bess Choice! programs
Cindy Rzasa Bess, Ph.D. is a Developmental Psychologist and a recognized Professional Keynote Speaker, Motivational Lecturer, Parent Educator, Education Consultant and Teacher Trainer in the Fairfield County, Connecticut area. Her programs are frequently requested throughout New England and are very popular and consistently well attended.
Cindy’s presentation style is warm, inviting and humorous, and the content material is simple, sound and straightforward. Everyone is guaranteed to come away from The Bess Choice! – Teaching U. or Parenting U. workshop, seminar or course with information that is helpful, worthwhile, personally meaningful and enlightening.
Her extensive expertise rests in the areas of child development (infancy to 12 years), parenting, family dynamics and early childhood education. Furthermore, Cindy has conducted numerous presentations to parents and educators on the subjects of Death and Dying, and Living Life as a Child with Special Needs and/or a Challenging Life Condition.
In addition to serving as an Early Childhood Educator, an Infant Caregiver, a College Instructor and as the Director of a Fairfield County Nursery School, Cindy served as a Trainer of Trainers and Raters in the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale - Revised edition (ECERS-R) classroom assessment tool. She has extensive experience making classroom observations and has written a book entitled, A View from the Little Chair in the Corner, which addresses the importance of providing high quality care for young children by describing good teaching practice and developmentally appropriate learning opportunities, and also discussing the “whys” behind them.
Finally, in keeping with “The Little Chair…”, Cindy is currently working on additional books on raising healthy and happy families, and on teaching young children with respect, kindness and empathy in early childhood settings. All of these books are in process or awaiting publication.
Cindy is a state of Connecticut approved Education Consultant, in good standing with the Departments of Education and Public Health.
Cindy graduated with a Master of Science and Doctoral degree in Developmental Psychology from Rutgers University. She also completed a Master of Arts Degree in General/Clinical Psychology at Connecticut College. She received her B.A. at Villanova University.
Cindy has authored a number of picture books for children (Pre-K to Grade 2). One series is on the subject of understanding and accepting children with special needs. Writing and illustrating entertaining (and informative) books for young children is one of her true passions. She recently started a new series which introduces the Fine Arts to young children. All of these books are awaiting publication.
In addition to many years of schooling, Cindy also has considerable "lab" experience as wife to her wonderful husband, John, and as the proud mother of two beautiful young adult daughters, Kara-Lynne and Mackenzie.