Governing Board Vice President Candidate

I began my journey in early childhood education in 2003 when I enrolled my son in childcare. In 2005 I purchased his center, becoming the owner-administrator and during my 20 years of service, I have seen the landscape and the engagement in early childhood education evolve. As many have finally acknowledged the critical role that early education plays in the success of a child, we can continue to expand on the opportunities for children and early care & education professionals. I ventured into the world of advocacy in 2020 during the pandemic, when childcare became the foundational bedrock of stability for children, families, and the community at large. I became a member of the deaeyc Board of Directors, joined the Executive Committee in various roles, and now sit as the presiding President. The Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children serves as the largest early childhood education advocacy group in Delaware, and since 2020, our organization has transformed the landscape for early education in Delaware.  

During the COVID pandemic, I worked with our Governor’s administration to secure a 220M investment that directly supported providers. During my time, deaeyc has successfully advocated for 60% increased investment in our state Purchase of Care program, supporting low-income families and supporting our most vulnerable learners. During my tenure on the board and as President of the organization, I have ushered our team through transitions, resulting in meaningful strategic planning and outcomes. One of the things I am most proud of about my time with deaeyc is the collaborative relationships that have been formed with community partners, legislators, and agencies. I have collaborated with community partners to positively impact investment in state funded early care programs, as well as partnering with legislators to create and pass legislation that enhanced health, safety, and regulatory standards for child serving entities. During this time, I worked with deaeyc to assist the Delaware Department of Education with the creation of the Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP), getting our legislature to double the investment in this program, with the end goal being Universally Affordable Pre-K. Deaeyc is currently partnering with the Department of Education to update and strengthen our regulatory body,  its function, and our childcare regulations.. During my time with deaeyc, I believe that relationships, collaboration, and communication have been some of my greatest strengths. This is why I want to join the NAEYC Governing Board. 

We have an incredible opportunity to engage and collaborate with each other to grow, evolve, and improve our profession. It is important when creating policy and discussing best practice we have governing board members with practical, “on-the-job” experience in the field to understand the challenges of the business, and the workforce. When helping to promote NAEYC’s mission of quality and equitible care, it is important to have board members that have engaged with families, children, and providers in a relatable way. Twenty years in the profession, with a team of 35 educators, has given me unique experiences that will help me to engage with affiliates and partners in a meaningful and credible way.  

My time with the Board of deaeyc has prepared me and will translate well to the national organization. I am looking forward to working with providers on NAEYC’s mission to promote quality early childhood education experiences. I hope that I can be of service to help NAEYC to connect with affiliates, providers, educators, and families by making NAEYC’s services more accessible. 

I genuinely believe that my experiences as both an owner and affiliate president have amply prepared me for a position of Vice President on the NAEYC Governing Board. I am excited to be able to build upon my time with deaeyc and share my passion for early childhood education to continue to elevate our profession and create a sustainable and equitable childcare system that benefits all children.