Welcome to Our 2021 Exchange Leaders
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50 EXCHANGE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE Copyright © Dimensions Educational Research Foundation
All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be
ExchangePress.com
EXCHANGE JULY/AUGUST 2021 reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.
Visit us at www.ExchangePress.com or
call (800) 221-2864.
Welcome to Our
2021 Exchange Leaders
by Pam Boulton, coordinator, Exchange Leadership Initiative
T
his has been a year like no other in our programs and services that support children
collective memories. It has tested us, and families. As leaders, they provide vision
called forth our determination and and stability, and through their actions they
grit, and given us opportunities for learning provide direction for now and into the future.
and growth. The need for leadership through-
out our field has never been greater, and our Exchange Leaders thoroughly understand early
Exchange Leaders have stepped up and moved care and education principles and practices,
forward in response. Thank you to all our lead- address diversity and equity, and are engaged
ers and to all of us who follow. Together, we in lifelong learning. They are grounded in their
work to assist in stabilizing families and com- own work and are using their strengths and
munities through our supportive services. skills to make a difference for children, families,
and their communities.
Since 2014, the Exchange Leadership Initia-
tive has been making leadership more visible Our Exchange Leaders have always been indi-
in the field of early care and education. Now viduals. This year we also honor as Exchange
with more than 400 Exchange Leaders, we see leaders the San Francisco Educators for Equity,
them everywhere—in classrooms, family child a group, as they introduce their culture of “we.”
care programs, administrative offices, schools,
With congratulations and delight, we invite you
colleges, universities, and in all of the offices,
to meet your new Exchange Leaders for 2021.
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The Culture of “We” — Reimagining Leadership
From Left to Right: Angelica Guerrero, Eliana Elias , Norma Villazana-Price, Madonna Stancil , Anna Wolde-Yohannes, Casey Federico, Bethica Quinn, Brooke Giesen
by the San Francisco Educators for Equity Por las Educadoras de San Francisco Para la
Equidad
The culture of “we” is the soul of any community. When
this sense of “us” is reflected, without a single individual La cultura del “nosotros” es el alma de cualquier comuni-
focus, it shows the union of all of the participants’ lives dad. Cuando se refleja este sentido de “nosotros”, sin un
as a rich tapestry of many threads. solo enfoque individual, se muestra la unión de todas las
vidas de los participantes como un tapiz enriquecido por
The replacing of the “I” for the “ We” pushes us to re- muchos hilos.
imagine what leadership, advocacy, and the founda-
tions of our work look like from a community and team La sustitución del “yo” por el “nosotros” nos empuja a
perspective. volver a imaginar cómo se ve el liderazgo, la abogacía y
los cimientos de nuestro trabajo desde una perspectiva
The work we have been doing together through the de comunidad y equipo.
San Francisco Educators for Equity, aka FROGS, is always
El trabajo que hemos estado desarrollando juntos a través
done through the lens of the “we” culture. Through this
de Educators for Equity de San Francisco, también cono-
lens, we have reinforced our belief that true leadership
cido como FROGS, siempre se realiza a través del lente
can only happen as a community effort.
de la cultura del “nosotros”. A través de este lente, hemos
Within this expression, there is no singular but an ex- reforzado nuestra creencia de que el verdadero liderazgo
pansive plural. The success of the “I“ culture, which has solo puede suceder como un esfuerzo comunitario.
resonated in the pages of history, lies in the efforts and Dentro de esta expresión, no hay singular sino un plural
sacrifice of those who were silenced and forgotten in expansivo. El éxito de la cultura del “yo”, que ha reso-
their collective work. For “us,” the collective work is what nado en las páginas de la historia, radica en el esfuerzo
really matters, and one single name can never take the y sacrificio de quienes fueron silenciados y olvidados en
place of all those who participated in that creation. su trabajo colectivo. Para “nosotros” el trabajo colectivo
es lo que realmente importa y un solo nombre nunca
Together, we also recognize that we are one drop of
podrá ocupar el lugar de todos los que participaron en
water in this ocean of many group collaborations. We
esa creación.
find strength and inspiration in each other.
Juntos, también reconocemos que somos una gota de
agua en este océano de muchas colaboraciones grupales.
Encontramos fuerza e inspiración el uno en el otro.
52 EXCHANGE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE ExchangePress.com
EXCHANGE JULY/AUGUST 2021
Amy Alt DeCarla Burton nization and get some good ideas, visit
SAUK CITY, WISCONSIN, UNITED STATES CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES some centres and take some photos.
Program and policy analyst-advanced, Director, Jump Smart Early Learning
Wisconsin Department of Children and Academy At the opening keynote, I was met
Families not with a plan or some key points,
When did you realize
but with some BIG questions. At first,
What is your that you were a
I was annoyed, but as I sat with these
personal “mantra” leader? How did
questions and started to imagine the
that is important to you embrace the
possibilities they held, my heart started
your leadership? pride and the
to crack open, and I ended up a trans-
willingness to self-
The great Jeree Pawl, clini- formed leader with a vision instead of
identify as a leader?
cal professor in psychiatry, once said, a plan.
“Do unto others as you would have I believe community organizing helped
others do unto others.” This quote has to capture my true leadership quali-
ties. Moving into a neighborhood that Turner Cagle
remained in my heart and my mind,
TACOMA, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES
acting as a guide to my work as a was plagued with the usual challenges
Lead teacher/program supervisor, The
leader in early childhood. Supporting found in the city did not deter my or Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center
children and families is complex and my husband’s vision of unifying the
often emotional, requiring strong and community. This proved to be a dif- When did you realize
compassionate relationships between ficult task, but rewarding. In time, our that you were a
children and educators and between neighborhood became a community, leader? How did
educators and leaders. Understanding and now a family grounded in love and you embrace the
that one relationship affects another, respect. pride and the
I place great importance on creating willingness to self-
relationships with others, and ensuring identify as a leader?
they feel heard, acknowledged, and Nicky Byres
supported in this difficult work. RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA I realized I was a leader well after I was
Executive director, Society of Richmond already leading. I am a lead-by-exam-
Children’s Centres ple type of person. I believe in being
constant and consistent, while learning
Samuel Broaden Tell us about a “key
and evolving. It wasn’t until someone
SALEM, OREGON, UNITED STATES moment” that
else in a leadership role lifted me as
Consultant/trainer/teacher, Honoring influenced your
Childhood
they were climbing that I understood
leadership.
I was doing the same for others. Then I
I went to a conference on became intentional with my
What is your passion
professional development. leadership.
in the field of Early
Care and Education? I was there for a plan. I was going to
Why? take good notes to share with my orga-
The idea that I keep in
my mind at all times throughout my
work with children is to be the person
to children that I needed when I was “Truth-tellers are not
younger. I did not have anyone to look
to and say, “They are like me, they like
what I like, they sound like me,” and so
on. If I did, I may have had a better ex-
always palatable. There is a
perience discovering and being proud
of who I am—and I want to give that to
all children that I work with.
preference for candy bars.”
—Gwendolyn Brooks
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When I worked with a young mother
“Better than a thousand days and her four children as their home
visitor, I became captivated by her
3-year-old, who displayed high levels
of diligent study is one day of intellect. I saw it, but no one else did,
due to his behavior issues. One day, I
with a great teacher.” transported him to a language assess-
ment appointment, and I was allowed
to listen in and watch through a glass
window. The assessor asked him to
—Japanese Proverb point to the trousers. I thought, ‘How
dare you ask a little Black boy from the
south side of Chicago to point to the
Jene Chapman Charles Coe trousers. You could have asked him
OMAHA, NEBRASKA, UNITED STATES PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, to point to the pants, jeans, slacks or
Program specialist II, Nebraska Department UNITED STATES
used a word that was mainstream in
of Education Office of Early Childhood Executive director and founder, Incredible
his community.’ Yes! I interrupted the
Kids Learning Center, Inc.
Tell us a story about a assessment to explain to the assessor
person (or group) that Tell us about a time my frustrations, but she said she must
made a key difference when your own administer the assessment with the
for you in your determination and specified language. Pushing through
decision to be a leader. persistence made my anger, that day I made a decision
a difference in your and commitment that I would some-
I came from a long line of edu- leadership. how work to support the needs of
cators and knew instantly, as a young young children and their families who
girl, that I wanted to be an educator The pandemic is the perfect example are marginalized by systems through
who not only changed the lives of of how I had to utilize both my deter- inadequate education and services
children directly, but who changed the mination and persistence. My organi- due to systemic racism.
lives of those who impacted children zation serves as a centralized hub and
on a day-to-day basis. I gained motiva- resource center in our community for
tion from professional women of color children, families, other businesses, Diana Diaz
that have been influential in my life. and community members. We serve as REGO PARK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
Seeing how they multitasked, being the voice for our children, families, and The Aspire registry director, New York Early
our community. We create opportuni- Childhood Professional Development
key stakeholders in their community,
Institute
church, and family, played a large part ties for empowerment and advance-
in my development as a leader. They ment on many levels in a community Tell us a story about
were committed to excellence, never truly in need. In fact, we have gone a person (or group)
settled for average, paid attention to into overdrive mode to better address that made a key
detail, performed with consistency, the needs of the individuals who de- difference for you in
and if they made a mistake, they pend on our services. your decision to be
recognized and accepted it and failed a leader.
forward towards growth and improve-
ment. As I observed throughout my Katari Coleman I admire my executive director, Sherry
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES Cleary. She has made a difference
years, I knew that it was possible to be
Project director/researcher, NCASE -
a woman of influence, as well as a suc- in my life because of her loving way
Education Development Center, Inc.
cessful leader of effective change. of speaking and working fiercely on
Tell us a story about behalf of children and families. I work
a person (or group) closely with Kimberlee Belcher-Badal
that made a key and the executive team at the National
difference for you in Workforce Registry Alliance, and we
your decision to be care less about titles but instead are
a leader. deeply invested in serving our com-
munity; we work in collaboration with
54 EXCHANGE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE ExchangePress.com
EXCHANGE JULY/AUGUST 2021
more networks that share the same ship, don’t drum up people to gather head! From that moment forward, I
passion for our workforce, children and wood, divide the work, and give or- knew that to be a successful leader,
families. This group of people oozes ders. Instead, teach them to long for I needed to be organized! Today, I
kindness, but we are driven by much the vast and endless sea.” This quote regularly teach time management, and
love and respect for our work and spoke directly to how I feel about be- people say they like to learn it with me
our mission. I am bold, visionary, and ing a leader, what I hope for, and how I because they realize that they can also
idealistic. do my work. find success in a skill that is not natural
to them. Thus we grow!
I set and drive with high expectations,
because early care and education de- Karen Foster-Jorgensen
serves the very best and needs leaders GOLD RIVER, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA Jessica Frazier
who take action, but who do it with Founder and business strategist, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
kindness and empathy ChildCareDirector.com Director, UCUC Preschool
above all.
Tell us about a Tell us a story about
“key moment” that a person (or group)
Hope Doerner
influenced your that made a key
ROBBINSDALE, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES leadership. difference for you in
Early childhood education faculty, your decision to be a
My first formal leader-
Minneapolis College leader.
ship role was as a program director
What is your passion in a large nonprofit family-oriented Participating as a member of the San
in the field of Early organization. Supervising dozens of Diego Reggio roundtable motivated
Care and Education? part-time team members and orga- me to step into a leadership role. As
Why? nizing a multitude of child, teen and a steering committee member, I felt
family programs was an exciting ad- emboldened and empowered, through
My passion in this field is venture for me, and sometimes a little the support and encouragement of
to continue to help every- overwhelming at the tender age of 23. my fellow committee members, to use
one understand the need to see each Being an innovator of ideas, paperwork my voice and advocate for children
child and to know their story. Our role was not my strength. One day, my and teachers, making real and tangible
is not to change the children or their kind mentor and accomplished leader changes in my own school and com-
families to fit into a mold, but rather to came into my office. He had just one munity. They showed me that leader-
help educators see the beauty in the clear sentence to impart, which I have ship supports multiple perspectives
uniqueness each child brings, and then never forgotten: Karen, when I look at and welcomes differing viewpoints
to help that child grow and blossom the top of your desk, I have a pretty as a means of achieving lasting and
even more with our love and care. good idea what is going on inside your meaningful change.
Jacqueline Ewonus
“There are two ways
COQUITLAM, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
Program director, SFU Childcare Society
What is your personal
“mantra” that is
important to your
of spreading light: to be
leadership?
Educators must be
the candle or the
seen, heard and feel valued.
I wanted to support educators’ pas- mirror that reflects it.”
sion and build on their capacity. I was
moved by a quote from Antoine de
Saint-Exupéry, “If you want to build a —Edith Wharton
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Grace G. Jouan Robert Gundling Simon Ho
SPOTSWOOD, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
Technical assistance specialist, CJFHC Better Futures LLC CoFounder/CEO, 1Core Solution
What is your personal What is your personal Tell us about a “key
“mantra” that is “mantra” that is moment” that
important to your important to your influenced your
leadership? leadership? leadership.
Every leadership style is Be kind, humble, and The key moment is
unique and unlimited. What dedicated to service leader- when I realized I can turn my
is important is to believe in my leader- ship. Always remember that out of passion into action that makes a dif-
ship skills. I believe the only way to adversity come strength and wisdom. ference. My daughter has a congenital
inspire others is being aware of what liver disorder condition, which led to
motivates them. a deliberate search for the right child
Bethany Hernandez Parks care, which in turn triggered my pas-
BELLFLOWER, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
sion to leverage my business consult-
Tiffany Grant Principal consultant, First Start Educational
ing background to develop the right
MAPLE GROVE, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES Consulting
technology solutions that were lacking
Business development specialist, First
What is your passion in the industry. Instead of sitting on
Children’s Finance
in the field of Early this passion, I took action and recruited
Tell us about a “key Care and Education? like-minded people to join me on the
moment” that Why? journey to make an impact to serve the
influenced your child care industry.
leadership. My passion in the early
childhood field will always
Seven years ago, I was be centered around the opportunity Dana Holahan
in college taking two to use children’s natural curiosity and NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATES
child development courses excitement to create a solid learning Director of professional development, All
while I was pregnant with my first foundation. I think early educators Our Kin, Inc.
child. One of the courses focused on have one of the most important jobs,
Tell us about a “key
the overall development of children however I do not think that we are
moment” that
and the other focused on language appreciated for the hard work that
influenced your
development. It was in those classes goes into creating a developmentally
leadership.
that I first learned the importance appropriate and engaging learning
of talking and reading to children as environment. I hope to continue to The massacre in Sandy
early as the tummy, and the significant support this field and advocate for not Hook, Connecticut, in 2012
word gap between African American only the children and families, but also had a profound impact on me as a
children and their counterparts. I for the educators who are so central to person, a parent and a leader. It hap-
remember telling myself, “There will be the success of this area of education. pened only 20 miles from where I live,
no gap with my child.” From that day
on, I began reading to my baby while
she was in my tummy, and I continued
this practice when I had my second “Spoon feeding in the long run
teaches us nothing but the
child. I was amazed and pleased when I
saw both of my children talking at very
early ages. This showed me the power
of information and inspired me to
share what I learned with the world.
shape of the spoon.”
—E. M. Forster
56 EXCHANGE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE ExchangePress.com
EXCHANGE JULY/AUGUST 2021
and my daughter was the same age Tara Hurdle Monique Johnson
as the children who were killed. It was NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES KENNESAW, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES
Chair elect, NAEYC-Affiliate Advisory Lecturer, Kennesaw State University
completely devastating, and still is. It
Council
impacted my leadership, because it What is your passion
fortified my conviction that all children Tell us about a “key in the field of Early
deserve protection, along with all moment” that Care and Education?
the opportunities they need to fully influenced your Why?
develop physically, emotionally and leadership.
intellectually. It also deepened my My passion for the field of
commitment to working hard to en- I had been invited to early care and learning is
sure that this protection and these op- become involved with an developmentally appropriate practice,
portunities are given to all the children organization’s board and felt quite anti-bias curriculum, and social justice.
we reach through our work, along with honored in the moment. When I ar- I feel that developmentally appropri-
their caregivers and educators. rived at my first meeting, that feeling ate practice is the foundation for all
quickly changed. I felt like I was being learning, which should include anti-
given a conditional seat at a table that bias teaching along with social justice.
Jacky Howell was never meant or equipped for me. Using these as the foundation for the
SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES I felt on display, and realized at the education and guidance of early learn-
Consultant/coach/author, Azspire, LLC moment how important and powerful ers promotes the highest trajectory for
my voice can be, because this narrative their success.
What is your personal
had to change, and I was in the right
“mantra” that is
place and time to begin the process.
important to your
Carin Leiva
leadership? JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES
Michelle Jackson Family engagement specialist, 4Cs of
People that I work with
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES Passaic County
would tell you I am full of
Center director, Bright Horizons
quotes and songs! One is, “Beliefs into When did you realize
practice”—we in the field need to Tell us about a “key that you were
always challenge our beliefs, be willing moment” that a leader? How
to grow, stretch, discover, sometimes influenced your did you embrace
disagree, and yet explore what we cur- leadership. the pride and the
rently believe and how it aligns with willingness to self-
best practices in our field. I find in our A pivotal moment that identify as a leader?
work that we do what we believe— has influenced my leadership
and so, the importance of consistently is leading through COVID-19. I had to During the pandemic, I, as the fam-
challenging and examining those be- find the positive in all of this, and lead ily engagement specialist of Passaic
liefs is vital. Add to that, how does one through a crisis. I had to communicate County, unintentionally became the
translate those beliefs into meaning- to staff that they would be furloughed, point of contact to create follow up
ful practice? Saying I believe children or communicate with families that meetings and email threads among
learn through play, and then asking we had a COVID-19 exposure on-site; the family engagement specialists
them to sit still and be quiet in a circle, these were new challenges. Preparing from the other 20 counties in New Jer-
seemingly contradicts that belief. How to reopen after being closed for three sey. I became responsible for informing
can we bring those things together— months also presented a challenge. FES’s on upcoming family outreach
our beliefs and our values and great, However, keeping in mind my personal trainings, community food distribu-
caring, connected, meaningful prac- mantra, “lead with heart,” shaped the tions, and shared family outreach
tice? That mantra drives me to do the way I showed up for my families, staff, strategies. FES’s felt secure and safe to
work and I continue to encourage oth- and children, and continues to shape reach out to me when they needed
ers around me to do the same. my leadership skills one year later. community event advice and/or rec-
ommendations on parent outreach.
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Panu Lucier Geri Mendoza My mom is a retired special education
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, UNITED STATES DENVER, COLORADO, UNITED STATES teacher. For 41.5 years, my mother pro-
Director, System for Early Education Mentor coach, City of Lakewood
vided endless hours of special services
Development
As a leader, it is to young children with special needs,
When did you realize important to access which taught me compassion and tem-
that you were a “seat at the table.” perance.
a leader? How At what “tables”
did you embrace have you claimed a Gail Neal
the pride and the UNIVERSITY PLACE, WASHINGTON,
seat? How did you UNITED STATES
willingness to self- achieve your seat? Executive director, Multicultural Child and
identify as a leader? Who offered to help you? Family Hope Center
In the fifth grade, I started at a new My ECE journey has led me to be at Tell us a story about
school, where no one looked like me. many tables. In my coaching work, I yourself that makes
One of the boys, Mike, started calling am permitted to sit at the planning you especially
me Susie Muktuk when he found out I table, to collaborate and push deeper proud.
was Eskimo. I confronted him in a very thinking with teachers, as we make
straightforward and assertive way, decisions for the classroom setting. In 2006, I worked for a
but what happened afterwards was As the coach in my program, I sit at agency that was closing
life changing for both of us. My father the administrative table and bring in down their early learning programs
came to the school to teach the boys the voices from the field, again posing due to funding cuts. I took over the
how to make an Eskimo drum, and I questions for deeper thinking regard- programs July 1 of that year, with no
taught my classmates how to Eskimo ing programming. Over the years, I break in service. Previously, we had 13
dance, and we performed in the gym- have been fortunate to work with col- employees and provided services to
nasium for the entire school. Mike was leagues with whom collaboration, in- 58 children. Today, we have over 100
alongside me on the stage. novation and re-imagining are of high employees and provide service to 300
value, so a seat has been offered to me children and families each month. We
at many tables, due to my skill set and now house 26 programs for families,
Laurice McGinnis Lincoln passion for aligning vision, offering instead of one program.
GREENDALE, WISCONSIN, UNITED STATES
support and creating challenge.
Director, Bureau of Equity and Inclusion,
State of Wisconsin Department of
Kalanya Moore Lisa Nicholson
Administration BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI, UNITED STATES
Director of elementary and secondary Coordinator ECE programs, Delta School
What is your vision District-Continuing Education
for what needs to education undergraduate programs,
Mississippi Valley State University
happen in Early Care What is your personal
and Education? Tell us a story about “mantra” that is
a child; a teacher or important to your
My vision for early care
staff member; or a leadership?
and education is equity and inclusion
at the education table. First, we must family that had a
remove the word “just” from the begin- major influence
ning of our introduction—e.g., “just” a on you.
child care provider or “just” a child care
director. Second, we must move from
having great ideas to having great “Remember that sometimes not
implementation and sustainability
plans. getting what you want is a
wonderful stroke of luck.”
—Dalai Lama
58 EXCHANGE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE ExchangePress.com
EXCHANGE JULY/AUGUST 2021
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal:
it is the courage to continue that counts.”
—Winston Churchill
Listen to the whispers of my soul; I worked with a teacher that was so I would continue to pursue a master’s
teaching, learning, inspiring and living rigid. She followed every point in the degree. She later asked me to be on
with heart! I am committed to bringing policies and procedures. One of those the local early childhood board and
who I am and my truths to conversa- polices was to turn parents away if become a chairperson. This instruc-
tions I am honoured to be a part of, they were late arriving for the day. She tor, Bonnie Graham, empowered me
and inviting those who gather in com- would turn parents away two minutes as a woman and a leader. I delight in
munity with me to do the same, as we past the cut-off. I was so frustrated. encouraging other early childhood
deepen our thinking on ways of being Through reflection, I found that I had professionals to pursue professional
in the world. cultivated that behavior in her, earlier opportunities and further their careers;
in my own leadership journey. When sometimes it just takes someone else
I first became a supervisor, I was inse- to give you the push that you need to
Austin Nikolich cure, so I hid behind the policies and explore your dreams!
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, UNITED STATES procedures. I held my teachers to this
Curriculum coordinator, Sacred Heart
same standard. I focused on an envi-
Preschool
ronment of high compliance instead Pamela Penton
of humanity and compassion. I learned NEWTON CENTER, MASSACHUSETTS,
What is your personal UNITED STATES
“mantra” that is that leadership is a lot like gardening.
Director, Meeting House Child Care Center
important to your I’m responsible for the environment
leadership? and the nurturing that impacts the What is your vision
growth and outcome. for what needs to
I attended a training happen in Early Care
where the speaker said, and Education?
“Norms follow leadership.” I couldn’t Ashley Parks
agree more, and what this means to ARDEN, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES I believe that in order for
me as a leader is that I have a responsi- Center director, Verner Center for Early early child eare and educa-
Learning
bility to create community, build rela- tion teachers and programs to be
tionships, and curate an environment Tell us a story about respected, teachers and administrators
in which everyone feels seen, heard a person (or group) need to be compensated at an appro-
and welcomed. that made a key priate level. In order to achieve this,
difference for you in more money needs to be earmarked
your decision to be a from the state and federal govern-
Kristie Norwood
leader. ment and the profession needs to be
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES considered vital for the growth of the
Education manager, Start Early One instructor I had was an early child- economy.
Tell us a story about hood leader and I respected that she
a child; a teacher or taught children, high schoolers and
staff member; or a college students. She encouraged me
family that had a as I showed interest, and pushed me to
major influence raise the bar for myself professionally,
on you. and always held the expectation that
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JULY/AUGUST 2021 EXCHANGE
Hans Petersen build upon autonomy and empower- ic period. Teaching staff would ideally
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, UNITED STATES ment in children as powerful problem have at least a bachelor’s degree in
Regional training coach, Child Care Aware
solvers. This includes a healthy ap- early childhood education, would be
of Kentucky
proach to problem solving in every adequately compensated, and the pro-
As a leader, it is learning and developmental domain— grams should be comprehensive and
important to access from handling conflicts in safe and provide support services to children
a “seat at the table.” effective ways to inventing strategies and families as needed in the areas of
At what “tables” to pursue self-initiated inquiries. When physical and mental health, nutrition,
have you claimed young children have a view of them- and social services.
a seat? How did you selves as competent and capable in
achieve your seat? Who solving a plethora of problems, they
offered to help you? are likely to grow into critical and Michelle Rosen
creative thinkers with a self-fulfilled SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, UNITED STATES
As a white male, I have been extremely Director, Kids Campus at SFCC
approach to
privileged to have seats at many tables learning. What is your passion
accessible to me throughout my life.
in the field of Early
From this experience, and an under-
Care and Education?
standing of the role of white suprem- Peter Pizzolongo
REHOBOTH BEACH, DELAWARE, UNITED STATES
Why?
acy and institutionalized racism, I feel
it is my duty to ensure that at every President, Early Education Consulting
We know that the first
table I find myself, seats, prominent five years of a child’s life
What is your vision
voices and real authority and power are critical for brain development, and
for what needs to
are provided for those who are most that by age 3, the architecture of the
happen in Early Care
impacted by what is being discussed/ brain takes shape. Exposure to high
and Education?
addressed, even if it means relinquish- quality learning experiences is key in
ing mine. Early care and education developing the joy of learning and
must be universally available the thrill of discovery. Guiding and
to all young children and their families, coaching early childhood educators
Debbie Piescor accessible to all, and funded appro- to create a space of wonderment for
LINCROFT, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES
priately by federal and state govern- children, filled with opportunities for
Teacher/curriculum specialist, A Child’s
ments. I support a system in which exploration and engaging activities, is
Place School
center and family child care commu- a passion for me!
What is your passion nity- and school-based programs serve
in the field of Early children from birth through kindergar-
Care and Education? ten, with the “academic period” (from 8 San Francisco Educators for Equity,
Why? a.m. to 3 p.m.) funded with public dol- aka the Frogs
lars. Parents needing full-day child care San Francisco, California, United States
My greatest passion in could then pay affordable tuition for Educators, classroom teachers, consul-
early childhood education is to help the time before and after this academ- tants, directors, mothers, administra-
tors, specialists, community advocates,
writers, poets, podcasters and artists
“The growth and development
who work to better ECE sys-
tems and programs.
of people is the highest What is your vision
for what needs to
calling of leadership.” happen in Early
Care and Education?
What needs to change to
achieve the vision?
—Harvey S. Firestone60 EXCHANGE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE ExchangePress.com
EXCHANGE JULY/AUGUST 2021
Our vision is rooted in our statement
of rights. As we have worked together “I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go
through this pandemic, we have come
to recognize that, in order to offer the through life with a catcher’s mitt on
most fertile ground possible for the
rights of children, families, and provid- both hands; you need to be able to
ers to flower, we must both model and
demand the creation of bottom-up, throw some things back.”
inclusive processes for generating
diverse solutions to the problems
faced by our field. This is now reflected —Maya Angelou
both in our intentionally collective and
collaborative group process, as well
as in our vision for the regulatory and I think that we need to pay teachers and the careers they aspired to. This
systematic innovations which are so a living wage, so that they can live was a journey for not just me, but all
clearly needed. vibrant lives full of wonder. We need women I have come into contact with.
strong policymakers who put ECE first. My own daughter is graduating with
her master’s degree in a few weeks. I
Margaret Shirley couldn’t be prouder!
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, UNITED STATES Heather Siskind
Lead teacher, Sunbeam Family Services FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES
CEO, Jack and Jill Center Whitney Smith
Tell us about a “key SWANNANOA, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED
moment” that Tell us a story about STATES
influenced your yourself that makes Director of family engagement, Verner
leadership. you especially Center for Early Learning
proud.
One of the professors What is your passion
that I had in college said I had two children under in the field of Early
something to our class that resonated the age of 5 by the age of 24, Care and Education?
with me and changed the way that I and worked as a teacher in early edu- Why?
viewed myself in regards to leader- cation, and had an internship place-
ment to earn my degree in social work. My passion is helping
ship! She said, “Everyone is a leader
I was overwhelmed and determined all families recognize their
because everyone has followers. Your
at the same time; nothing was going potential and providing the necessary
attitude and your view of yourself will
to stop me. I grew up in poverty, with support they need to achieve their
determine how far your leadership will
housing and food insecurity, health goals and aspirations. Breaking barri-
take you.” Ever since that night, I have
challenges, and not knowing what the ers and building bridges allows these
been more intentional in the ways that
future was going to be. I learned about families to have the same access to a
I lead, noticing those who are follow-
college and what I needed to do to get bright future.
ing me, and working to always have a
growth mindset. there. I was able to attain my graduate
degree and represent all the women
that came before me. I was the first Heather Smoyer
CENTRE HALL, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES
Brian Silveira woman in my family to graduate with Director, Kindercare
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES a bachelor’s degree and also a mas-
Lead teacher, Pacific Primary ter’s degree, and now I’m the CEO of a What is your vision
nonprofit serving children and families for what needs to
What is your vision in need. I believe that no one can take happen in Early
for what needs to away your education! I have helped Care and Education?
happen in Early so many women over the last 25 years What needs to
Care and Education? achieve just that. We found a way to- change to achieve
gether to get the degrees they sought the vision?ExchangePress.com EXCHANGE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE 61
JULY/AUGUST 2021 EXCHANGE
The early child care teacher should be other children. I encouraged them to very young mother (age 14-18 years).
recognized as an exceptional teacher have a conversation about the child He displayed sensory and attachment
with value, just as the elementary so we could begin problem solving, issues, and his mother had a number of
teacher is recognized. I believe that and it was shared that she had been her own challenges. Through patience,
the “great pause” helped politicians in three foster homes in her short life. trust and open communication, always
and other leaders, along with parents, I was able to help the team see how through an equity lens, I discovered
recognize the value of early care and much they could shape this child’s ways to best support them. This young
learning. It is my hope that it is not future by keeping her enrolled in the woman’s grit, perseverance and love
soon forgotten. program. We enlisted a team of people for her child continue to inspire me to
to support the child and the teachers. this day.
Zlata Stankovic-Ramirez Needless to say, while it did not hap-
DALLAS, TEXAS, UNITED STATES pen overnight, we saw positive results
Higher education instructor, Texas Woman’s and the child remained in the center. Camden Thornton
University Although I was not the one doing the HOUSTON, TEXAS, UNITED STATES
Customer service representative,
hard work daily and was just there as
Tell us about a “key Kidventure
a consultant, I feel like I played a small
moment” that
role in giving this child the consistency What is your passion
influenced your
that she needed. in the field of Early
leadership.
Care and Education?
I was co-president of the Why?
Dallas chapter of TXAEYC Maribel Tapia
LEONIA, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES My passion is seeing
when the transition from being a
TAS, Grow NJ Kids children grow with a pur-
stand-alone organization (DAEYC) to
becoming a chapter of TXAEYC was pose. Being able to see a child stumble
What is your passion
happening. The tension, the feelings, with a particular subject or problem,
in the field of Early
the heated conversations and opinions and then seeing them work so hard to
Care and Education?
were happening at every board meet- find a solution, allows me to know that
Why?
ing for an entire year. The key moment not only did the child learn something,
was allowing everyone to have a voice, My passion in early but I did as well, which helps solidify
to be heard, and to listen to their education began when I was my passion and purpose working in
concerns. The co-director and I walked a parent volunteer in a Head Start pro- this field.
away with a new resolve to get as gram. I began to recognize the impor-
many questions answered as possible, tance of early education with my own
and to help soothe the obvious anxiety children, how the teachers educated Kelly Twibell
DAVIS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
that existed for some members. Being them, and how they educated me
Interim director, University of California,
a good leader = being a good listener. about the importance of education.
Davis
It’s stayed with me to this day.
Tell us a story about
Barbara Thornton a child; a teacher or
NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES
Jennifer Sturgeon staff member; or a
BENNINGTON, NEBRASKA, UNITED STATES Senior technical assistance specialist,
Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey
family that had a
Chief academic officer, CUES School System
major influence
Tell us a story about Tell us a story about on you.
yourself that makes a child; a teacher or
About five years ago, I was approached
you especially staff member; or a
by two families regarding concerns
proud. family that had a
for their Black children’s well-being.
major influence
They had read the research from the
Recently, I worked with on you.
staff at an Early Head Start Yale Child Study Center highlighting
center who wanted to remove a I had the privilege of providing care to implicit bias by child care workers in
20-month-old who scratched and bit a young boy (from birth to age 4) of a their interactions with children of color.62 EXCHANGE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE ExchangePress.com
EXCHANGE JULY/AUGUST 2021
Additionally, the parents had concerns reflective practice that occurs when as they walked in the door. Her love for
regarding staff response to one of their supported in brave spaces that honour her job and connection with people
children’s perceived challenging be- the uncertainty that comes from lean- truly mattered. She always influenced
havior. While uncomfortable, this initial ing into one’s longing. me in many ways, but she made me
conversation led me to develop a work realize that it is not about what you do,
group at our site, formed of staff and it is how you make people feel, that
families, to address anti-Blackness in Eboni Walker sparks true connection and trust.
early childhood education. I learned NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, UNITED STATES
Education consultant, Learning Matters, LLC
so much from these families. They
shared the realities of their day-to-day What is your Stacy Weinberger
existence, as well as the fears they BURLINGTON, VERMONT, UNITED STATES
personal “mantra” Early education director, King Street Center
had for their children. I helped staff that is important to
maintain the roles of listeners and your leadership? When did you realize
learners in this situation. Even with our that you were a
best intentions, we may not always be When I was considering leader? How did
aware of our biases and their impact graduate school, I felt very apprehen- you embrace the
on our work. This group yielded new sive about my chances of getting ac- pride and the
approaches and training for staff cepted into the program of my choice. willingness to self-
and practicum students. The parents When I shared this with my mother, identify as a leader?
involved shared with me that they she said to me, “Eboni, let them tell you
learned that not all school administra- ‘no’ but don’t tell yourself ‘no’ first!” Her I became willing to self-identify as
tors and teachers are going to close message stuck with me, and ever since a leader when I knew I could make
the door on their concerns. They said then, I have become more comfortable mistakes. Early in my career, and in fact
our partnership gave them hope. with the risk of rejection, still choosing for most of my life, I was aware that I
to apply myself, still choosing to take had leadership qualities. I am friendly,
leaps of faith, still choosing to dream. open-minded, admire other people
Jennifer Vanderberg and enjoy hearing their stories and
LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA Heather Walter
seeing their talents. I am organized
ECE instructor, DCE ECE GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES and can get a group of people to-
Visiting assistant professor, George
What is your passion gether to work together on a project,
Washington University
in the field of Early have fun, and get things done. But
Care and Education? Tell us a story about those qualities simply make me a good
Why? a child; a teacher or cheerleader, not a leader. I realized
staff member; or a that I could be a leader when I learned
Our work in creating family that had a how to make myself vulnerable and to
communities of practice has major influence be willing to do so on the issues that
highlighted the importance of deep, on you. matter most. I am proud of myself for
engaged, sustained professional learn- becoming this kind of leader.
ing. It has been transformative and My grandmother worked as a school
nourishing for me to hold space for secretary, and always knew everyone —D—
conversations, learning, and the deeply and supported children and families
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to
decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
—Jane GoodallYou can also read
