For educators, by educators

Angela Cabrera Enriquez Mejicanos (She/her/ella) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. Her career in early care and education has spanned over 15 years, during which she has made significant contributions as both an educator and a program administrator. Her passion for nurturing young minds and dedication to systemic improvements in education have defined her professional journey.

Angela is a fierce advocate for young children and their families, teachers, and the broader educational system. She is committed to championing the rights and needs of the most vulnerable populations, ensuring that every child has access to high-quality education. During her career, she has developed and implemented programs to support capacity building in cultivating culturally and linguistically relevant early learning experiences and environments for every child.

Her work is deeply rooted in the belief that equitable education is the foundation for a just society. In her current role, Angela focuses on promoting equity within the early childhood education (ECE) workforce and ensuring access to high-quality early care and education. She works tirelessly to address disparities in the ECE system, advocating for fair wages, professional development opportunities, career advancement, and inclusive practices that support diverse families and communities.

Angela’s  professional philosophy centers on holistic development, equity, and lifelong learning. She believes in creating nurturing environments that support the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth of children. Her approach involves engaging families and communities as partners in education, fostering inclusive practices, and continuously advocating for the professionalization and recognition of the ECE Workforce.

She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Universidad de Santo Tomás in Bogota, Colombia, where she developed a strong foundation in understanding child development and behavior. She furthered her expertise by earning an M.S. in Educational Leadership from Mills College, equipping her with the skills to lead and inspire change within educational institutions and beyond.

Angela was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, and she enjoys all types of music and dancing, as well as experimenting with cooking new recipes. She currently lives in the Bay Area, California, with my husband, where we love the multicultural vibe.

Barbara Johnck (she/her/ella) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. With over 20 years of experience as an educator and program administrator, Barbara has ​​a deep understanding of early childhood development and effective pedagogical strategies. She has dedicated the last 15 years to designing professional development programs for adult learners, focusing on inclusive, culturally responsive, and equity-centered teaching practices. 

Barbara’s expertise spans Social and Emotional Development, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), inclusive environments, supporting students with special needs and/or challenging behaviors, and implementing anti-bias/anti-racist education. Barbara is skilled at creating training and coaching systems that enhance the capacity of Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten Teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators to meet the needs of their diverse students and families, fostering collaboration, aligning curriculum, and using data and reflection for continuous improvement. At the core of Barbara’s educational philosophy is the importance of establishing collaborative relationships with school communities to create affirming and joyful learning environments so that children, families and school staff can participate as their whole selves. 

As a Program Administrator in San Francisco Unified School District’s Early Education Department (EED), Barbara played a key leadership role in creating and establishing the EED’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Behavioral Response to Intervention (B-RTI) system. These initiatives have enhanced the capacity of educators to reflect on their teaching practices to meet the social-emotional and behavioral needs of students, ultimately improving the quality of early childhood education across the District. Barbara also developed and oversaw the department-wide implementation of the Kimochis SEL Curriculum, and established a centralized referral system to support students with challenging behaviors and social-emotional needs, ensuring educators had timely access to essential resources and coaching support.

She earned a B.S. in Mass Communications/Public Relations from Boston University and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Mills College. She also holds an Early Childhood Special Education Teaching Credential and an Administrative Services Credential.

Born in Mexico and raised in Southern California, Barbara now lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two children. She enjoys cooking, dancing, traveling, camping, and spending quality time with family and friends. Barbara is excited to join the EDvance community and eager to bring her passion for early childhood education to EDvance College!

Dr. Beth Kara Dawkins (she/her/hers) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. She has been in the field of Education for almost 25 years, with experience teaching Pre-Kindergarten and First Grade for five years and at a bilingual school in Mexico for one year. Beth-Kara also brings more than10 years experience as a college professor and  enjoys teaching adults more about early childhood learning and development. 

Her doctoral dissertation focused on early literacy and reading behaviors of young children and explored the various ways literature can be used to teach academic content as well as support social-emotional learning and development. One of her areas of ongoing research is exploring book selection patterns in young readers and factors influencing how early childhood readers select and reselect books to read. She has published scholarly articles in credible education journals, and given national and international presentations highlighting her research, data and recommendations on supporting literacy development in young scholars. Beth-Kara enjoys working in collaboration with colleagues, participating in program and curriculum development, contributing to accreditation activities, and engaging in ongoing professional development and learning.

She believes all students can learn and improve, and it is the responsibility of the faculty, staff and program/curriculum to provide a learning environment where all students can improve and reach their maximum potential. She enjoys working with students of all backgrounds and abilities and seeing them grow in content knowledge and confidence to be effective, impactful educators in the community. During her tenure as a college/university professor, Beth-Kara has been recognized for being an outstanding educator and a supportive colleague due to her ability to build strong student relationships, her leadership and organizational capabilities, and expertise in the areas of early literacy and children’s literature. 

In addition to being a college/university professor, Beth-Kara is also a children’s book author who currently has four published children’s books. She enjoys spending time with her family and supporting her wonderful son, Cam, with his school and extracurricular activities, as well as caring for her garden.

Beth-Kara matriculated at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Development), the University of Florida (Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Ph.D in Early Childhood, Families and Literacy), and she earned her teaching certification in 2000, for early childhood and elementary grades. She is excited to be a part of the team at EDvance College and continue to provide instruction, scholarship and student support in the field of Early Childhood Education.

Christian Patterson (he, him, his) is an Adjunct Faculty and Writing Coach at EDvance College. Christian’s professional journey in early childhood education has spanned across educational, regulatory, marketing, and advocacy roles. These included working in classrooms with children 12 weeks to five years, serving as a Licensing Program Analyst for CCLD, and serving on councils for both NAEYC and EveryChildCA. These experiences provided exposure to the many facets of the early childhood education field and provided the opportunity to support the community as the Local Planning Council Coordinator for Santa Barbara County.

Christian has a B.S. in Early Childhood Studies from Purdue University Global and an M.S. is Early Childhood Development with a concentration in teaching adults in the early childhood field from Walden University. Christian is thrilled to be a part of EDvance College and support its mission. Teaching others to advocate for themselves is one of Christian’s passions. Christian believes that confidence and competence are key elements to student success and he hopes to support these qualities by building community and supporting student success both in the program and in their extended professional journeys.

Gladys M. Villanueva (Ella/She/Her) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College, specializing in Multilingual Multicultural Education. With over 10 years of experience in Early Ed. and six years in higher education, Professor Villanueva is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment that encourages students to grow both academically and personally. Her work bridges the gap between theory and practice, allowing future educators to develop practical skills grounded in research-based, culturally sustaining pedagogy.

Professor Villanueva joined EDvance College in 2025, bringing with her a passion for student success and a dedication to shaping the next generation of educators. Her collaborative spirit and commitment to continuous improvement align well with EDvance’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality education for diverse learners.

In her teaching, Professor Villanueva emphasizes the importance of student-centered learning, encouraging critical thinking and reflection. She strives to create an interactive classroom environment that supports active participation, practical problem-solving, and testimonial pedagogy.

Professor Villanueva has been recognized for her cross disciplinary experiences with bilingual teachers in the Central Valley through her community involvement with Arte Américas in downtown Fresno, CA and innovative teaching methods with the Sanger Teacher Residency Program. She has served as the President of the Central California Chapter of the California Association for the Education of Young Children and is currently serving as the Professor-in-Residence of the Madera Teacher Residency Program.

She holds a Master’s in Education, with an option in Multilingual Multicultural Education and a Bachelor of Science in Child Development - Practitioner option from California State University, Fresno. She is an AmeriCorps alumni, having served as a tutor and team leader for Jumpstart Fresno State early in her undergraduate career. As an AmeriCorps tutor, she first learned the importance of serving young children in low-income neighborhoods and promoting early literacy.

Professor Villanueva is excited to continue her work at EDvance College, where she is dedicated to empowering students to become compassionate, effective educators in the ever-evolving field of early childhood education working with culturally and linguistically diverse students.

Dr. Guadalupe Díaz Lara (she/her/ella) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. Previously, Dr. Díaz Lara worked as a Research Associate at the Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) and as Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, Irvine, where she focused on improving early educational outcomes and family partnerships for bilingual children and families. She has over 10 years of experience teaching courses in early childhood development and education.

Dr. Díaz Lara’s teaching and research is focused on connecting research, policy, and practice to understand, elevate, and address factors that influence the educational experiences of children and families from diverse backgrounds, especially, Latinx families and Dual Language Learners/English Learners. Additionally, she explores the systemic barriers families experience accessing social services and community resources to support their children and empower their families. She has published multiple peer-review articles, presented at national and international conferences and implemented workshops for practitioners and parents focused on the educational experiences of diverse children and their families, as well as the positive development of young children.

As a first-generation college student, Dr. Díaz Lara understands the challenges that students can face in the classroom. Therefore, in her teaching she focuses on creating safe learning spaces to support high-quality education that provides students with knowledge and skills to work with diverse families and communities. She intentionally integrates diverse perspectives into the curriculum, creates opportunities for practical application and skill development, and applies multiple teaching tools to support diverse learning styles.

As part of her commitment to high-quality teaching, Dr. Díaz Lara is committed to ongoing professional development including attending workshops to improve her teaching including creating inclusive classrooms, using generative AI as a learning tool, and encouraging writing as a reflective tool to improve educational practices.

Dr. Díaz Lara has received multiple awards and fellowships for her dedication to research, service to the community, and mentoring of students. These include the 2023 Outstanding Service Award, 2024 Scholarly and Creative Activities Award, the English Learner Leadership & Legacy Initiative (ELLLI) Fellow, the Tom Angell Fellowship for Mentorship Excellence, and the National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families Early Career Fellowship Award. She received her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Sciences from Oregon State University with an emphasis on early childhood development. 

In her free time Dr. Díaz Lara enjoys spending time with her daughter and dog, boxing, cooking, hiking and reading books.

Jenny Brito, M.A. (she/her/ella) is an Adjunct Faculty and Writing Coach at EDvance College. 

For over 15 years, Jenny has supported non-profit organizations in achieving their goals and driving change to improve the lives of immigrants, minority groups, and at-risk communities. Her work has included developing high-quality writing content and training materials, equipping professionals with the tools they need to create meaningful impact. With a passion for fostering equity and inclusion, she has collaborated extensively with early childhood educators and advocates for practices that center on the well-being of children, adolescents, and families.

As an instructor, Jenny is deeply committed to meeting each student where they are and ensuring they have the resources, encouragement, and guidance to succeed. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes empathy, individualized support, and fostering a learning environment where every student feels valued, capable, and prepared to thrive. She continually seeks innovative ways to empower her students, helping them build the skills and confidence needed to create meaningful change.

Jenny holds a B.A. in Psychology with a focus on Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies and a Master’s degree from Alliant International University, broadening her expertise in psychology. This academic foundation brings a unique perspective to her work, supporting equity-driven teachers and professionals in using writing to advocate for justice, reflect on their practice, and effectively communicate with diverse families.

A proud boy mom, wife, and lover of nature, Jenny enjoys traveling, hiking trails, and spending time exploring the outdoors with her family. Committed to the mission of EDvance College, she is honored to play a role in shaping a generation of educators who will transform the lives of young children and their communities.

Lucero Irizarry, M.A. (she/ella), is an Adjunct Faculty and Writing Coach at EDvance College.

Lucero has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education across California. She has held various roles throughout her career and holds a master’s degree in Human Development with a specialization in Leadership in Education & Human Services from Pacific Oaks College, along with a California Child Development Program Director Permit.

In her current role, Lucero supports system-wide quality improvement efforts for early learning programs. She also provides individualized coaching, leads professional learning communities, and develops resources and support strategies that integrate best practices in early childhood education with adult learning principles.

An active leader in the field, Lucero serves as an elected Board Member of the East Bay Chapter of California AEYC and previously held the roles of President and Board Director for the Inland Empire Chapter of California AEYC. She remains engaged in various committees, contributing her expertise to advancing the profession.

Outside of her work, Lucero enjoys visiting local beaches, practicing yoga, exploring farmers' markets, and savoring a good cup of coffee.

Dr. Lucía Alcalá (she/her) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. She received her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of California Santa Cruz with an emphasis on cross-cultural studies. Previously, Dr. Alcalá worked as Postdoctoral Fellow at CINVESTAV in Merida, Yucatan Mexico, where she conducted ethnographic research with Yucatec Maya children and families. She has over 10 years of experience teaching courses in early childhood development and cognitive development.

Dr. Alcala’s teaching and research is focused on how children develop the initiative to help at home and in the community, as active contributors of their own development focusing on the role of cultural values and expectations across communities (Maya, Mexican-immigrant, and European American). Additionally, she explores how these experiences at home contribute to children’s executive function skills and learning processes. She has published multiple peer-review articles, presented at national and international conferences and has collaborated with Indigenous community organizations in Mexico.

As a first-generation college student, Dr. Alcalá understands the challenges that students can face in the classroom and designs her courses with a social justice perspective. Therefore, her teaching centers diverse perspectives into the curriculum, includes authors from diverse backgrounds, creates opportunities for practical application (integrating service-learning components) and skill development, and applies multiple teaching strategies to support diverse learning styles.

Dr. Alcalá’s scholarly achievements have earned her several awards, including the SRCD’s Latinx Caucus career excellence award, and fellowships like the US Fulbright Scholar (2022). She has received multiple grants, including from the National Science Foundation. Dr. Alcalá is dedicated to mentoring undergraduates, junior faculty, and graduate students and has received multiple awards as faculty advisor of distinction and several research grants to support student mentorship in research.

In her free time Dr. Alcalá enjoys spending time with her children, participating in 10K runs, listening to Podcasts, and reading books in Spanish.

Michelle Banh, M.A., is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. ​​Embarking on a transformative journey that spans over two decades, Michelle has been intricately woven into the tapestry of early childhood education, tracing her roots back to a formative experience as a child development intern during high school. This humble beginning ignited a lifelong commitment to the nurturing and development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Influenced profoundly by the pioneering work of Magda Gerber, Michelle tirelessly pursued certification from the Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC), establishing a resilient foundation for delivering exceptional care and education during those pivotal early years. With unwavering conviction, she holds the belief that the optimal learning environment for children is one characterized by warmth, support, nurturance, and respect, valuing and celebrating individual and cultural differences.

In recent years, Michelle has directed her earnest efforts towards fortifying the early childhood education (ECE) workforce. As an educator, she champions a guiding principle that transcends her role – before being an educator, she is a perpetual learner. This principle shapes her approach, enabling her to tailor learning experiences for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and adult caregivers or educators alike.

Assuming roles as a trainer, mentor, and adjunct faculty member, Michelle actively engages with adult learners, playing a pivotal role in their professional development. Her unwavering commitment extends to creating safe and enriching spaces for the next generation, where each child's unique potential is not only acknowledged but passionately nurtured.

Approaching her work with a blend of educator's humility and learner's curiosity, Michelle eagerly anticipates sharing her insights and experiences at the upcoming conference. With her guiding influence, let us collectively strive to elevate the standards of early childhood education, fostering a lasting impact on the lives of our future leaders under Michelle Banh's dedicated stewardship.

Dr. Ruby N. Turalba-Khalil (she/her/isuna/siya) is Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. She is a second-generation Pinay with ancestral roots in La Union, Philippines. Ruby grew up on Luiseno and Kumeyaay native lands and spent her entire adulthood residing on unceded Ohlone territory. 

As an educator for 15+ years, Ruby integrates cultural humility, critical pedagogy, and personal narratives to explore social inequities among marginalized populations. She has been an ally to 2000+ undergraduate and graduate students, many who identify as low-income, immigrant, multilingual, and first-generation college students of color. Her published works have focused on college students’ understanding of identity, intersectionality, and oppression; and pedagogy to support their learning and empowerment. Dr. Turalba-Khalil’s teaching is deeply informed by bell hooks and Paulo Freire, and her community research builds on critical race theory and community cultural wealth. Recognizing her commitment to education, Ruby was distinguished as Faculty of Excellence in Higher Education and Civic Engagement. 

Ruby received her Doctorate in Education from San Francisco State University (SFSU) with an emphasis in Educational Leadership. Her dissertation research elevated the voices of Filipina/x/o students, families, and teachers, and her study revealed that the Filipino language program at their San Francisco school is an anchor for radical community healing. Partnering with other parents and community members, Ruby has advocated to preserve, strengthen, and sustain San Francisco Unified School District’s Filipino language programs. Dr.​​ Turalba-Khalil has led community-based research initiatives to improve the health and well-being of Filipina/x/os in San Francisco, and has presented at professional conferences including the American Educational Research Association, American Public Health Association, Society for Public Health Education, and Filipino American National Historical Society. She serves as a School Communities Advisory Board member for San Francisco’s Filipino Cultural Heritage District and she was celebrated at Kahayágan, an art installation on the windows of the Children’s Creativity Museum honoring  Filipina/x/o change makers and leaders. Ruby also holds a Master's in Public Health from SFSU and a BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley.

When she’s not teaching, Ruby loves working in the garden, cooking homegrown meals with her spouse of 20+ years and their two amazing teens (both of whom were born at home and unschooled), snuggling the cat, and practicing self-care. A “fun fact” is that she hiked-and-biked from San Francisco down the Central Coast hauling kids and gear in a bike trailer.

Dr. Turalba-Khalil is excited to work alongside EDvance College’s cadre of equity-driven early childhood educators and leaders. In all her commitments, Ruby works for community, health, and justice!

Sandy McKeithan (she/her) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. She has been working in the field of Early Education and Family Services in a variety of roles for over 30 years. Sandy has taught infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in various programs, including private, nonprofit, and parent co-ops. Since 2012, she has worked in Head Start and state-funded programs, providing the best possible services to our community’s most vulnerable children and families. She has served as an Education Manager, Program Director, trainer, and coach. Sandy is currently working in a San Francisco Head Start program as a Center Manager and is enjoying spending her days with children again. She has also served as a parent educator and has spent over ten years as higher education faculty.

Sandy received her BA in Child Development from San Jose State University and her MA in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College. She is a certified CLASS Affiliate Trainer, a certified PITC Trainer, and has been an Authorized Teaching Pyramid Trainer. She is currently working toward a certificate in Trauma-Equipped Care and believes that learning best occurs through hands-on experiences that allow individuals to apply learned concepts to real-life situations.

In her personal life, Sandy is the mom of three amazing adult children, including two with special needs. While raising her autistic son, she has made it her life’s work to ensure that teachers have the tools they need to help all children thrive and to see the child as an individual before they see the disability. She is also currently living with her two fur babies and enjoys spending her free time exploring all that this wonderful city has to offer.

Sara Sutherland (she/her) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. Sara has worked in many sectors of the Early Childhood field - teacher, master teacher, administrator, adjunct faculty, early childhood policy, coach and trainer - and all of these experiences have informed my understanding and knowledge of our craft and practice. She loves that she gets to learn so deeply from others around her!

In her work as a master teacher, she had the opportunity to think deeply about pedagogy and how it intertwined her identity as an early childhood practitioner. This led to a research focus on the connections between people’s deep identities and how they show up in the classroom as reflective, innovative practitioners. Sara is especially interested in how classroom documentation practices serve to support teacher identity, and her research focused on the practice of writing learning stories. This focus on identity has been a through line of her work in multiple settings. Sara is also deeply committed to supporting teacher identity and practice in outdoor settings.

Sara has presented at AERA, the National Association of Laboratory Schools (NALS) annual conference, and several Learning Story conferences. Her pedagogical approach focuses on connecting with individual identities AND a stance of openness. She is constantly learning different modalities of how students learn and communicate their learning. Sara is committed, as an instructor, to explore and understand many modalities of participation and honoring lived experiences.

Sara is a graduate of UC Davis (BS, Human Development with a concentration in Infant-Toddler studies) and Mills College (MA, Early Childhood Leadership).

When Sara is not immersed in early childhood thinking, she is a parent in a blended family of four kids and two moms and is learning about herself every day! She also loves knitting, traveling, gardening and creating (sometimes by accident) the perfect meal.

Stephanie Joseph is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. She has eighteen years of experience in early childhood education, having held various roles for non-profit agencies. These roles include Center Director, Regional Manager, Education Manager, and trainer. 

Throughout her studies, she became interested in Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, concerning the cultural connection between educators, children, and families, and the impact on student outcomes. This led to narrowing her focus on building capacity to support families and educators in the area of oral language and literacy development. 

Her teaching philosophy focuses on creating a student-led learning environment that supports innovative strategies for critical thinking and collaboration through an inclusive approach. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Education from California State University East Bay.

During her free time, she enjoys baking, engaging in active activities, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends. 

As a committed agent in the Education field, I strive to make advancements in research, support educator learning, and ensure that all children have access to high-quality care and education.

Tina Luera (she/her/hers) Early Childhood Studies, Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. Tina’s journey into the field of Early Childhood Studies began with a passion for children’s education. Growing up in Fresno, California, Tina always found herself drawn to nurturing environments and learning opportunities. Her journey took her through California State University, Fresno, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development. It was here that her commitment to education and child psychology began to take shape. After completing her undergraduate studies, Tina pursued a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at National University, further deepening her understanding of the emotional and developmental needs of young children. Armed with academic knowledge and dedication, Tina embarked on a career that would span over two decades in higher education.

Tina’s career path led her to State Center Community College District, where she found her calling teaching Child Development. For the past 21 years, she has enriched the lives of countless students, imparting not only knowledge but also a deep respect for the developmental stages of childhood. Her tenure at Madera College, spanning 17 years, stands as a testament to her commitment and expertise in the field.

Beyond the classroom, Tina has been actively involved in various educational organizations, including serving as an Executive Board Member for the Madera Local Planning Council. Her contributions to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC), and California Community College Early Childhood Educators (CCCECE) highlights her advocacy for quality early childhood education.

Tina is excited to continue to shape the future of early childhood education in her new role as an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and supportive student-centered environment where students feel empowered to share their thoughts and experiences openly. She ensures confidentiality and encourages diverse learning opportunities. She strives to leave a lasting impact on her students and the community she serves.

Yudy Larraburu, M.S. (she/her/hers) is an Adjunct Faculty at EDvance College. She is deeply committed to fostering individual and community growth and development. As a bilingual (Spanish and English) community college educator and ECE Instructional coach, she brings extensive experience in delivering professional development support to a diverse workforce. 

Prior to joining EDvance, Yudy served as a regional coordinator for the Center for Child and Family Studies at WestEd. In that role, she oversaw the San Francisco Quality Improvement System, providing customized onsite technical assistance, coaching, and training for childcare programs seeking to enhance the quality of infant/toddler early care. Her professional journey also includes experience as a Neuroscience Research Specialist, a Family Childcare Educator and owner, and a paraprofessional for children with identified special needs.

Yudy holds a BA in Psychology from San Francisco State University and a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology from California State University Fullerton. She is also a certified Infant and Toddler Specialist from the Program for Infant and Toddler Care (PITC). With a teaching philosophy rooted in collaboration, inclusivity, and reflective practices, Yudy is dedicated to creating enriching learning experiences that honor and celebrate diversity. Her passion and expertise continue to inspire and elevate the standards of early childhood education, making a lasting impact on the communities she serves.