2. What specific strengths and skillswould you bring as a member of theNAEYC Governing Board?
NAEYC has nurtured me professionally for the past 45 years. As a two-term president of the New Mexico Affiliate, coupled with involvement at the national
level, I found that NAEYC colleagues and mentors provided both inspiration and support as I gained the strengths and skills necessary to lead New Mexico’s
innovative systems-development work. These include the ability to work at all levels of public policy development yet still feel comfortable spending time with early childhood practitioners in their workplaces to ensure that we are realistic and inclusive, and scaffold our systemsdevelopment efforts appropriately.
I am proud of New Mexico AEYC’s accomplishments. We built a fully articulated competency-based
professional development system with a universal course of study and multiple levels of state certification. We established research-based program standards and quality initiatives who enable communities to develop site specific, culturally and linguistically appropriate programs. And we established supports to help communities grow early education professionals that
mirror the faces of community children. Extensive experience in all aspects of the early childhood field has prepared me to be a contributing member of the
NAEYC Board.
These words are often used to describe me:
- Systemic thinker and planner
- Leader
- Respectful
- Workforce advocate
- Listener
- Consensus builder
NAEYC is expanding its scope while simultaneously embarking on a significant reform effort. As an experienced leader of systems reform and development, I am able to work collaboratively with
board members, Affiliate leaders, and NAEYC members to support NAEYC’s efforts to build upon its many strengths and increase its presence as a strong and
relevant membership organization.
