Barbara A. Willer is NAEYC’s Deputy Executive Director for Program Recognition and Support. She leads the Program Recognition and Support Division, which sets and monitors standards of quality for early childhood education programs serving young children as well as professional preparation programs in institutions of higher education. Additionally, this division includes initiatives to provide technical assistance to programs to support quality improvement efforts based on the quality standards. Frequently quoted in the national press and family-oriented magazines on issues related to early childhood development, child care and early education, Dr. Willer has made numerous appearances on network and cable television, including NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Lifetime Television, CNN, and Fox Morning News. Dr. Willer has authored various publications regarding NAEYC Accreditation and on issues related to school readiness, the quality and affordability of early childhood programs, and early childhood professional development. Willer received her doctorate from Cornell University in Human Development and Family Studies. Her experiences include several years as a preschool teacher and work in a community agency for low-income families and their children. She and her husband have a daughter in elementary school, so Dr. Willer’s experiences also include being a parent in an NAEYC-Accredited early childhood program.