Highlights at a Glance

• Educational Foundation:
  Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Early Childhood Education from Kansas State University.

• Depth of Experience:
  Over two decades supporting children, families, and educators through leadership roles in early learning centers, higher education, and community initiatives.

• Areas of Expertise:

  • Child development and curriculum design

  • Program administration and staff development

  • Quality improvement systems (QRIS, licensing, accreditation)

  • Family engagement and community partnership

  • Professional development facilitation (on-site, virtual, and conference settings)

Role Overview:
Served as an Adjunct Instructor for the Department of Human Ecology (now Department of Health and Human Sciences) at Kansas State University, preparing pre-service teachers to design engaging, developmentally appropriate experiences for young children.

• Courses Taught:

  • Child Development

  • The Early Childhood Environment

  • Health, Safety, and Nutrition

  • Motor Development and Movement

  • Social and Emotional Development through Art, Music, Drama, and Movement

• Teaching Approach:
  Emphasized experiential learning, reflective practice, and the integration of creativity into every developmental domain. Courses balanced theory with hands-on application, modeling Reggio Emilia and constructivist philosophies.

• Impact:
  Guided emerging educators to see children as competent, capable learners and to create environments that nurture curiosity, confidence, and connection.

• Professional Development Innovation:
  As an employee of Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities (KCCTO) to design and implement virtual training modules accessible to early childhood professionals statewide—expanding access to quality learning regardless of location.

• Focus Areas:

  • Curriculum development for online professional learning

  • Training alignment with Kansas Core Competencies

  • Support for coaching, reflection, and ongoing growth

• Systems-Level Contribution:
  Served on the Kansas QRIS Taskforce, providing insight on standards of quality, assessment tools, and implementation supports for early learning programs across the state.

• Impact:
  Helped shape Kansas’ approach to professional development and quality improvement by ensuring training and rating systems reflected both best practice and accessibility for providers in diverse settings.

• Community Leadership:
  Active member of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, contributing expertise in early childhood education, small business development, and community-based solutions for family needs. Currently serving on the Board of Directors since 2023.

• Taskforce Involvement:
  Served as a founding member and concept creator for the Child Care Business Initiative, a first-of-its-kind program designed to expand access to quality child care by supporting new and existing providers in launching or growing their businesses.
  Collaborated with local government, economic development organizations, and business leaders to align community priorities, funding strategies, and workforce supports around sustainable child care expansion.
  These combined efforts resulted in securing over $6 million in funding for local child care projects and creating a replicable model for integrating early childhood solutions into economic development planning. Learn more about the project here.

• Board Service & Leadership:
  Dedicated more than a decade to the Kansas Association for the Education of Young Children (KSAEYC), holding key leadership positions such as Conference Chair, President, and Past President.

• Professional Impact:
  Guided statewide initiatives to elevate professional development opportunities, strengthen educator networks, and align KSAEYC efforts with national standards and advocacy goals.

• Advocacy & Representation:
  Represented Kansas early childhood professionals at the NAEYC Public Policy Forum for multiple years, amplifying the voices of educators, families, and children in policy discussions at the state and national level.

• Commitment to Professionalism:
  Championed ethical leadership, collaboration, and the continued growth of the early childhood workforce through mentoring, conference planning, and legislative engagement.