The Inaugural Cohort Capstone Compendium - Presented to the community May, 2008

2nd Year Buell Fellow Capstone Compendium - Presented to the community, May 2009

Fellow Biographies:

Katrina Boykin

Katrina has a Masters of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Colorado at Denver and a BA in Early Childhood Education from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.  She holds a Level V Early Childhood Professional Credential and an Infant Toddler Endorsement.

Katrina provides ongoing early childhood professional development guidance to early childhood educators through meetings, presentations, trainings, and visits to college classrooms.  She helps educators navigate collegiate coursework in order to advance from one level to another within the Smart Start Colorado Office of Professional Development’s early childhood credential career lattice.

Katrina is a long-term member and volunteer of a mothers’ organization named Jack and Jill of America Inc. and is also very involved in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority here in Denver. Katrina is a native of Denver and enjoys spending time with her husband and four children.

Nancy Burdic

After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Colorado State University and a Master of Arts in Speech from Washington State University, I began my career as a speech/language pathologist working in the states of Washington, Arizona, and California.  I served the needs of elementary school aged students presenting with a variety of handicapping conditions for sixteen years.  I found the experience very rewarding and enjoyed working with families, students, and educators. 

Luckily, ten years ago, my family relocated again (hopefully for the last time!) to Colorado where I got involved in the preschool program in the Douglas County School District.  For nine years, I served on a transdiciplinary team addressing the needs of significantly impaired students enrolled in fully integrated classroom programs, most recently specializing in students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I found the work environment and the administrative guidance to be the most supportive, innovative, and professionally rewarding of any of my previous settings.

When an opportunity became available to be a part of the Leadership team that would continue to chart the course of early childhood education in DCSD, I leapt at it.  As a Preschool Resource Teacher, I am responsible for thirteen classrooms providing staff training, specific consultation, technical support, facilitation at meetings, and help in seeking out appropriate resources. 

I live in Centennial with my husband, Brad.  Our son, Kellen, graduated in May from CU and our daughter, Mackenzie, will begin her sophomore year there in August.

Mary Byrd

Mary DeLamar Byrd is currently employed as a Preschool Resource Teacher with Douglas County Schools, and serves as a member of the Leadership Team within the Early Childhood Department.  She also works with a district literacy committee. Her twenty two years of experience in the Early Care and Education field has included Speech Language Pathology and classroom work with transdiciplinary teams in public schools, hospital/rehabilitation centers, community center board settings and in private practice. 

In 1997, she was recognized with a Children’s Champion Award from CAEYC for her work initiating and coordinating community activities for families.  She has participated in and collaborated with CDE pilot sites for inclusion programs for 0-5 aged children in community and public school settings. Mary is an alumnus of Baylor University where she received her B. S. Ed. and M. S. Speech Language Pathology degrees, and is an active member of the Colorado Speech Language Hearing Association, the American Speech Language Hearing Association, the Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children, the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the International Reading Association.  Mary is excited to be a fellow in the DU-Buell EC Leadership Program!

Wendie Edwards

I was born in Dickinson, North Dakota and raised in Denver, Colorado. I earned a B. S. degree in Early Childhood Education at Langston University. I have over 24 years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education. I have taught infants through 5th grade for more than 20 years. Of those, 13 years include supervisory/administrative experience. My current position is Education Director of Creative Options Center for Early Education; a program of Cerebral Palsy of Colorado. I am a blessed mother of an amazing, intelligent, 16 year old son. I enjoy spending time with my family and volunteering for various community organizations.

Sofia Esteve-Sychla

I was born in Cuba and came to the United States in 1960. I attended the University of Puerto Rico where I graduated with a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology.

For the past twenty-three years, I have been active in early care and education for children.  My experience includes being a home provider, a preschool teacher and a center director. Currently, I am employed at Clayton Early Childhood Resource Institute, as a Quality Improvement Coach.

Nitchka Felix

My name is Nitchka "Nikkie" Felix.  I am currently an ESL Spanish Resource Teacher at Florida Pitt Waller K-8 School.  I have recently completed the Ritchie Leadership Program for School Leaders. 

My BS is in Elementary Education, with a minor in Spanish.  My current studies include the completion of my MA in Education Leadership at the University of Denver.  I am an advocate for providing access to a quality education for all children.

Cathrine Floyd

Cathrine has been in the field of Early Care and Education since 1989.   She has worked as a teacher, director, curriculum coordinator and multi-site manager.  She is currently working for Denver Public Schools as a Community Specialist.  Her main duties include working with the 46 classrooms throughout Denver centers that are contracted with DPS to provide Colorado Preschool and Kindergarten Program services to kids who are considered at-risk for early school failure.  Through her position with DPS, these Community Sites are provided staff development, curriculum training and quality improvement materials.

She has, also, been accepted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children as an assessor for the reinvented Accreditation system and will begin her training in the fall.

Cathrine earned her Bachelor’s degree in Developmental Psychology from the University of California at Irvine in 1991 and her Master’s in Early Childhood Education from the University of Colorado at Denver in 1998.

Joni Goodwin

My experience in the early childcare field includes having been a licensed family childcare provider for fifteen years and a center director in a preschool program.   Currently I am employed as a program site coach for childcare programs.  I work with early childhood teachers to enhance the quality of their programs and guide the teachers along their professional development path.  I co-chair our local AEYC and am the professional development coordinator for our early childhood council.  I am looking forward to this opportunity of gaining new insight, knowledge, and skills through this leadership program.

Sheila Groneman

Sheila has been the director of the Head Start program in Summit County since it’s inception over 4 years ago.  Previously, she was the early childhood coordinator for the Youth and Family Department with Summit County Government overseeing the implementation of a continuum of home visitation and child abuse prevention programs.

Sheila’s  years of experience in the field of early childhood have also included working as a public and private school classroom teacher, child care center director, resource & referral director, parent educator, teacher mentor/coach, and Community College early childhood adjunct instructor. Sheila has held advocacy roles in early childhood locally, regionally, and at the state serving on councils and task forces. Recent involvement has been with the state Early Childhood School Readiness Commission and the Colorado Association of School Boards Early Childhood task force. She is currently serving as a Vice President for the Colorado Head Start Association and is a member of the Summit School District Board of Education. Sheila earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Lenita Hartman

Lenita Ashley Hartman currently serves as the Associate Director and Fisher Inclusion Team coordinator at the University of Denver/Fisher Early Learning Center. In August of 2007 she will complete her Masters Degree in Leadership and Organizational Change. She has been active in the field of early childhood education for the past fifteen years. Lenita is passionate about educating young children and advocating for children with special needs. She resides in Englewood with her husband and two teenaged children.

Terry Hotz

I have been with Delta County School District for 30 years.  I have a MA in Education with a Educationally Handicapped endorsement (K-12).  I am preschool director qualified and PAT trained. I spent my earlier years with the District teaching children (K-12) with perceptual difficulties and emotional behaviors. I then taught kindergarten for many years. The last 14 years, I have been the program facilitator for the Preschool Backpack Program, a strong parent involvement program. In addition, in the last five years, I currently serve as the executive-director for the Backpack Early Learning Academy and the Colorado Preschool and Kindergarten Program, coordinator.  

Kristy Johnson

Kristy Johnson has worked at Denver-based non-profit, Invest in Kids, as the Child/Teacher Program Specialist, for the past five years. Invest in Kids works statewide in local communities to identify, support and sustain two evidence-based programs, The Nurse-Family Partnership and The Incredible Years.  Kristy works with 20-25 preschool – second grade classrooms around the state each year to train teachers in Social and Emotional foundations and then to help teachers prevent and address challenging behaviors and to implement the Incredible Years with fidelity to the program model. Kristy has recently been selected to coach classroom teachers in the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning’s Pyramid approach as well. Before joining IIK, Kristy had been working in public and private schools with children ages 2-8 for seven years. She has a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis on working with culturally and linguistically diverse students and has also worked with teachers around Summit County on their English Language Acquisition program. She is immediate past President of the Summit County Board of Education and was the Executive Director of the Family Center in Summit County working with parenting and other family programs.  She is the only authorized trainer for the Incredible Years Child/Teacher program in Colorado.

Vangi McCoy

I currently work as a Child/Teacher Program Specialist for the Incredible Years, a social/emotional program.  I provide TA to classrooms implementing the program.  1/2 of my time is with The Pinon Project in Cortez (a family resource center) and 1/2 of my time is with Invest in Kids (a non-profit serving the state of Colorado.)  I also teach Incredible Years parenting classes.  I have taught everything from Head Start to college classes, having varied experience such as being an Early Reading First literacy coach, and Project Wild and Learning Tree statewide facilitator.  I received my bachelors from Arizona State in 1984 in elementary education.  I am a wife and mother of four, ranging from age 13 to 27.

Patricia Mitchell

Since August 2002, I have been employed as an Early Childhood Education teacher at Philips then at Barney Ford Elementary Schools.  Prior to that, I was employed as the Human Resources Assistant with the Clayton Foundation for five years.

My long-term employment included working with various agencies within the Federal Government.  My last position with the Government was as a Personnel Management Specialist/ System Analysis for the Department of the Interior.  I completed my bachelor’s degree in English with an endorsement in Early Childhood Education at Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colorado.  I consider myself fortunate to be employed as a teacher in my endorsement area at Barney Ford.  I currently serve as chairperson of the CSC (Community and School Collaboration) committee.

  I am honored to be a participant in the Buell ECE Leadership Program.

Cynthia Neale-Downing

I am currently the Director of Child Care Services for Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs. I oversee the Child Development Centers at two campus locations. The sites have a dual mission of providing care and educational services for children of college students and are lab and observation sites for academic programs including Early Childhood Education, Nursing and Psychology. For the last several years I have also served as adjunct faculty for the PPCC Early Childhood Education Department. I have been in the ECE field for over 31 years. My experience includes classroom teacher, program director, trainer, consultant, family child care, child care resource and referral and child care food program administration.

Jennifer Rodriguez

Born and Resides:· Born in Denver, Colorado

Currently lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado (8 years)

Education:
B.A. in English Literature, Emphasis in Elementary Education
B.A. in Multicultural Studies
Colorado Teaching License/Certificate
M.A.- Elementary Education

Experience:
· Private In-Home Nanny/Child-Provider (4 years)
· Elementary Teacher Grades 3 + 4 - Denver Public Schools (2 years)
· Early Education Department - Denver Public Schools (3 years)
· Director of Early Excellence Preschool Program - Wyatt-Edison Charter School (5 years)
· Mother of two daughters - 5 years old and 11 years old
Activities/Interests:
· Spending time with my family visiting the mountains, reading, hiking, running, swimming, and skiing.

Sheryl Shushan

I graduated from Naropa University with a degree in ECE in 1994. In 1996 I founded the C Lazy U Ranch Preschool in Granby, CO. I opened the door with only seven students.  Today the preschool has over 30 students each year. I have been the director of this program for the passed 11 years.

Jane Walsh

Jane Walsh has worked in the field of Early Care and Education for 25 plus years. She brings an understanding of current early childhood issues that is based on her experiences in program implementation and public policy development. Ms. Walsh’s work spans the private and public sectors as well as city government. As coordinator of the Denver Joint Council’s Goals 2000 project, she was actively involved in the development, field testing, and piloting of the Denver Early Childhood Standards and the Early Childhood Standards Assessment of Readiness Tool (ESTART). Initially representing Denver Public Schools (DPS) Early Education Department and then the Mayor’s Office for Education and Children (MOEC), she was a member of the task force that wrote the Denver/Triad Licensing Model to reform the state’s child care licensing monitoring system. As Director of the Office of Child Care Initiatives in MOEC, she oversaw Denver’s Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) activities. Striving to increase the quality of care available to all children, she wrote and had funded a State Quality Improvement Grant through which exempt child care providers became licensed. Currently, Ms. Walsh is a Project Specialist overseeing the coordination and implementation of an Early Reading First Grant project for DPS.

Becky Ward-Smith

I am a full time faculty member at Aims Community College in the ECE  program.  My formal education includes a BS in Early Childhood Education,  an MA in Human Development and Family Studies, and an MS in Early  Childhood Special Education.  I am the president of the Weld District of  CAEYC.  I live in Fort Collins with my husband, baby daughter, and our  three dogs and volunteer with Larimer Animal People Partnership, bringing  animals and people together for therapeutic and recreational activities.

2008 Buell Fellows

Noemi Aguilar

Ms. Aguilar has worked in family literacy for 18 years in a variety of roles. She has developed curriculum, mentored teachers and has served on several advisory councils for local projects as well as state committees for professional development. Currently Ms. Aguilar provides training and technical assistance support to Head Start programs serving ELL children and families nation wide for the Community Development Institute (CDI). While working at National Center for Family Literacy, Ms. Aguilar presented at state and national conferences highlighting the importance of family literacy. Also, Ms. Aguilar had the opportunity to develop on-line courses for Verizon Literacy Campus on working with English Language Learners. Her blend of practical program experience and training delivery served her well in her position as Region 8 Early Literacy Specialist. She was a state GED trainer and a Master Teacher in the state of Texas. She received her degree in Liberal Arts and has been working with English Language Learners since 1990. Several of her articles have been published in state Adult Education newsletters and she was featured in the TV411 Video Series. As the assistant director of a local Adult Education cooperative, Ms. Aguilar was responsible for designing and implementing a professional development plan for the entire cooperative.

Sherri Amen

Sherri has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. She holds a Level IV Early Childhood Professional Credential with an Infant Toddler Endorsement.Sherri was a home childcare provider for nine years. During that time she received a four star Qualistar rating and was accredited by the National Association of Family Child Care. This is her sixth year as director of a teen parent program and infant toddler center. The center holds a three star Qualistar Rating and is in the process of becoming accredited by the National Association of Education for the Young Child. Sherri teaches Early Childhood Classes at Morgan Community College and is working with a committee to get the college National Association of Education for the Young Child Accredited. She is the Vice President of the Morgan County Early Childhood Council, and she attended the National Smart Start Conference in North Carolina in 2007 and 2008. She is in the process of starting a county teen pregnancy prevention task force through the Colorado Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Parenting and Prevention.
Sherri resides in Fort Morgan with her husband and two teenage sons.

Isebel Arellano

I was born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado and earned a B.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education at Kansas State University. I have worked in the field of Early Childhood Education (ECE) for over twenty years. My experience in ECE includes being a group leader, assistant teacher, teacher, and education coordinator. I began my career with Head Start in Kansas at Heartland Programs in 1995 and was fortunate to be hired by Adams County Head Start (ACHS) when I returned to Colorado in 2003. Currently, I am employed by ACHS as education manager. I have the pleasure of working with a diverse population of children, families and staff. ACHS serves 470 children from low income families and/or children with disabilities in part-day, full-day, and home based services at centers throughout Adams County. As a member of the Early Childhood Education Partnership of Adams County (ECPAC), I am actively involved in striving to improve the quality of early childcare for children throughout Adams County. I am a participant of Project Listo, a collaboration between ECPAC and the Bueno Center for Multicultural Education at the University of Colorado that focuses on meeting the needs of English language learners. I live in Westminster with my husband, Emery and two dogs Molly and Braxton. I have two wonderful sons, Jamie and Josh that bring constant joy to my life.

Barbara J. Benn

I am honored to join the Buell Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship as an educator who is passionate about the young child. I began my journey in early childhood education thirty years ago as a classroom teacher. I currently direct Har Shalom Preschool and Kindergarten in Fort Collins, Colorado.

In 1981 I started my family and stayed home for the following sixteen years with my children. I saw this as an opportunity to really study children; living with them at all ages while witnessing and encouraging their growth and development. I observed the creation of individuals and their unique communal bond. This defining community of siblings turned me into a dedicated observer and listener.

I believe that working with the young child is an offering to be in moments of discovery, integrity and reverence. The young child allows humanity to be alongside the essence of truth and sincerity.
I hope to be part of an unseen vision that touches the lives of children and families in a profound and lasting regard.

Shela Blankinship

Originally an Elementary Education degree student, my field of study changed to Early Childhood Education months after teaching my 1st preschool class. My passion for the field has continued to flourish over the years, and I’m proud to say that I’ve continued in the field now for 21 years. I received my BA through Selected Studies at Arizona State University in Early Childhood Education in 1994.

My roles have included Director of a CCR&R, a licensed in home provider, a handful of directing positions for child care centers including a Head Start, teaching preschool aged and school-aged children in both child care centers and the elementary school system, a home visitor to families with children 0 – 3 for Baby Bear Hugs, and my current position as the Director of Early Childhood Learning at the Weld County School District RE-8 in Fort Lupton. I’m also a trainer from cohort 3 in the Expanding Quality in Infant and Toddler initiative through CDE and teach ECE courses online for Morgan Community College.

My greatest accomplishment is my family. My husband Phillip and I will celebrate our 14th year anniversary this November. We have three wonderful children who continue to teach me; Shae Lynn who’s 13, Mackenzie is 11, and our son Bryce is 6 ½ . The family is supportive of mom’s commitment to schooling as I strive to attain my Masters in Early Childhood Leadership here at the University of Denver through the Buell program. I can’t stress my enthusiasm to be a part of this 2nd year Buell fellows team, the Buell Early Childhood Leadership program, and the University as a whole!!!

Lucinda Burns

Lucinda is the Executive Director of Early Childhood Options, a non-profit early childhood coordination agency located in Summit County. Lucinda also serves as the co-coordinator of the Northeast Division of the Rural Resort Region Early Childhood Councils. Outside of the mountain resort region, Lucinda is the co-chair of the statewide Early Childhood Councils Leadership Alliance and an appointed member of the Early Childhood Councils Advisory Team. Lucinda’s job duties provide opportunities to be actively engaged in community wide strategic planning, policy planning, resource development and program management.

Lucinda has been working in the field of early childhood education for more than 25 years. She has been a childcare resource & referral director, a center director, an infant/toddler supervisor, a preschool teacher and a family childcare provider. Lucinda completed her BA degree in Child Development and Human Relations from Connecticut College. Lucinda attended a Masters Degree program in early childhood education at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Lucinda is a trained community teacher in Colorado’s Expanding Quality in Infant and Toddler Caregiving initiative.

Outside of her work time, Lucinda spends time with her family and staying involved with her mountain community. Lucinda is married with two children, ages 21 and 23. Lucinda is an elected member of the Dillon Town Council.

Tracy Doig

Tracy Perea Doig has worked in the field of Early Care and Education for over 20 years. After graduating from Arizona State University, she was as a District Supervisor managing 7 before/after school sites and 25 preschool sites within the City of Tempe District. In addition to multi-site management, she has been a Teacher, For Profit Director, Resource and Referral Specialist, Denver/Triad Child Care Licensing Pilot Coordinator, Quality Improvement Specialist, Curriculum Coach, Instructor at Red Rocks Community College and Director/Owner of her own Child Care Center.

Tracy is currently employed with Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers as an Early Education Director/Head Start Director. She manages and leads the early education programs and staff. Mile High Montessori serves low-income families in the Denver Metro area in order to prepare children for school. She has a love for training, empowering teachers, and enjoys on site management. She has her administrators credential for Head Start, Credential IV, and participates on several Boards, Governor appointed Commissions, and School Advisory Boards.

Tracy’s true joy is seen through the eyes of her 3 children. The Doig Family spends their free time in the mountains; biking, rollerblading, skiing, and simply hanging out with friends and family.

Jennifer Garcia

Jennifer García is a Lead Child Family Educator at Clayton Educare. In this role, Jennifer strives to work intimately with families and teaching teams in order to provide the most comprehensive and culturally respectful services available. Along with other staff at Clayton Educare, she is working to integrate the core features of the Bounce Learning Network with the established mission of Clayton Early Learning.

Before joining Clayton Educare, Jennifer worked for 10 years for a diverse range of organizations providing services to youth and families, including Otero Junior College Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, Even Start/First Choice, Upward Bound, Shiloh House, Mile High Montessori and Clayton’s Early Reading First Program where her jobs have included Health Asssistant, Home Visitor, English Teacher, Treatment Counselor, Family Service Worker and Bilingual Program Specialist.

Jennifer graduated in 2003 from Adams State College with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. She now lives in Denver, CO. When not working Jennifer likes to read, write, knit, work out and spend time with her family.

Kristin Habicht
I have been in the field of Early Childhood for almost 30 years. Currently, I am the Executive Director of South Fellowship Early Learning Center, a non-profit child care center whose mission is to provide high quality care for families in our community at an affordable rate. I have a BA in Early Childhood Education from Metro State and an MA in Child Development from CU-Denver.

Throughout my years in this field I have enjoyed being a first grade teacher and a preschool teacher. I have done developmental assessments with at risk infants and children, as well as assessing and consulting with gifted children. Encouraging and supporting parents, whether writing newspaper columns or facilitating classes, has also been a fun adventure. I have been an active partner in the Arapahoe County Early Childhood Council and recently completed a long term on the Board of Directors. I have also been an adjunct professor at Arapahoe Community College.

I live in Littleton with my husband, Glenn. We have two children: Erika is an elementary school teacher in the Littleton area and Joel is a senior in college.

Melisa Jaen

My professional experience in the early childhood field includes being a child care licensing specialist, a public health inspector, an early childhood career coordinator and advisor, as well as a trainer of the Expanding Quality of Infant and Toddler training. As a parent of 3 young children, I also have been active in establishing a parent co-op childcare center in my neighborhood. I have participated and coordinated professional development trainings for Spanish speaking child care providers.

Currently, I am a Professional Development Coach at the Clayton Early Learning Institute. I work with Early Childhood Program directors and teachers to improve the quality of their programs through the Denver Preschool Program and the Mayor’s of Office of Education Quality Improvement Grant program.

I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Colorado at Denver, as well as a Certificate on Infant and Toddler Specialist Certificate from the University of Colorado at Denver.

Peggy Johnson

Peggy Johnson has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Studies from the University of Northern Colorado. She has over 30 years of experience working with young children. She began with a family day care home in the late 1970’s and in 1984 became the owner/director of “My Friends and Me” Learning Center. Over the years, the single center has expanded to include sites in Greeley, LaSalle, and Platteville.

She is a trainer for the Expanding Quality in Infant/Toddler and Ounce Scale classes. She teaches classes for Head Start migrant teachers and is an adjunct teacher at Aims Community College. Peggy is an active member of the Colorado Child Care Association, the Weld Chapter of the CCCA, Aims Early Childhood Advisory Council, the ECE advisory councils for Weld School District RE-1 and #6, the annual Children’s Festival, Promises for Children Board, the Love to Learn Conference, School Readiness Program, Family Literacy Carnivals, and Professional Development Committee to name a few.

Peggy is passionate about advocating for early educators, young children, and their families. She is excited to be a fellow in the DU-Buell EC Leadership Program.

On a personal level, her children are married with children of their own. Her daughter and son live in Greeley, although her son is currently serving in Iraq. Becoming a grandmother has been one of life’s greatest experiences and she spends as much time as possible with her grandchildren.

Joyce Johnson

The Colorado Dept of Human Services hired Joyce as the School Readiness Quality Improvement Program Specialist in April 2006. Prior to joining CDHS, Joyce had worked as a social worker for over twenty years, holding both direct service and program administration positions in such settings as schools, health care facilities, community centers and youth counseling agencies. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Wheelock College in 1984, and completed a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver in 1989. She has been licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in Colorado since 2001. She is married with two daughters age 17 and 7.

Marian Kolker

I have been involved in the early childhood education field since 1974, receiving an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education in 1976 from Cabrillo College in Aptos, California. From 1976 to 1985 I was the director of a large daycare center, where I assisted in implementing a K-5 grade school. From 1985 to 2001 were spent as teacher/director of several preschool programs that I was instrumental in opening. As well as expanding an additional K-5 grade school.

I moved to Colorado in 2001 earning a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Metro State College in Denver in 2006. I currently hold a California Children’s Center Permit and a Colorado Prek-3 Teaching certificate. After moving to Colorado, I taught pre-k classes; I am currently the Director of Faith Lutheran Preschool in Castle Rock, with an enrollment of 138.

I live with my husband of 6 years Rick. We share 5 children, 4 daughters and one son, ages 20 to 25. In our spare time we enjoy traveling, skiing and family time.

Lynn Meek

Lynn has been the Early Childhood Specialist working on behalf of the Mesa District of Colorado AEYC and Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families for the past two years, coordinating the efforts of the Early Care and Education Office, Child Care Resource and Referral, School Readiness Program, Early Care and Education Professional Development and M.E.N.T.O.R Program. Previously, she was a Head Start Education Manger for 10 years including Federal Head Start Peer Reviewer for 6 years.
Lynn’s 36 years working in early care and education include working in home child care, preschool teacher in child care centers and a Head Start classroom, school age care, trainer, mentor/coach and early childhood adjunct instructor. Lynn participates in a variety of early childhood advocacy roles locally and at the state. She currently is serving as the CAEYC Secretary and participates on a variety of community advisory boards. Lynn holds a Masters of Arts in Education with Early Childhood Emphasis and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Rachel Richter

Working with young children and families has been a natural fit for Rachel throughout her career. At a young age, Rachel began introducing preschool-aged children to the discovery of nature in the woods of northeast Texas. Creating a niche for the youngest summer day campers earned Rachel the respect from camp directors and community members alike. Rachel received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with a Specialization in Early Childhood from Baylor University. Before moving to Colorado, Rachel supervised a preschool summer camp program and taught 3rd and 4th grade children with learning disabilities in Richmond, VA.

Rachel Richter currently holds a dual role as the Preschool Department Chair and Master Teacher at the Fisher Early Learning Center (FELC) on the University of Denver’s campus. During her 8 years at FELC, Rachel has worked diligently to lead her teaching team in implementing an inclusive, literacy and play-based curriculum, Read, Play and Learn! Rachel has enjoyed presenting the execution of this curriculum with early educators from around the country at the University of Denver and Colorado’s AEYC. Rachel simultaneously incorporates an empirically founded collaborative leadership model as she mentors 14 preschool teachers. Creating complementary teaching teams and supporting preschool teachers in role sharing is Rachel’s specialty and passion.

Rachel was pleased to be a part of a presentation team that imparted this innovative leadership model at NAEYC’s 2005 national conference. Additionally, Rachel has presented to Denver community early educators the importance and format of strengths-based portfolio development for children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. For the last 7 years, Rachel spent time volunteering with the Junior League of Denver (JLD). Supporting the organization in fundraising provided well-rounded experience and knowledge of community programs for women and children.

Rachel currently resides in Centennial, Colorado, with Blake, her husband of ten years. Rachel is a proud parent of two young children, who have made her efforts in the field of Early Care and Education a very personal journey.

Judith Russell

My name is Judy Russell. I have always wanted to work with children and to be a teacher. I went to the University of Northern Colorado where I earned a BA degree in Elementary Education. When I got out of college, there was an abundance of elementary teachers in Colorado Springs so I took a job as a preschool teacher in a small child care center. I loved it!!! It opened my eyes to the wonderful world of early childhood education. I stayed in the field and have been in it for over twenty years.

My life journey took me several places and afforded me the opportunity to work in several capacities with a variety of different programs. After I got married, I continued my early childhood education journey as an Education Program Specialist for an after school program and then for family child care with the US Army Child Development Services in Baumholder, Germany. As my life path changed and my husband got out of the Army to go to school, we moved to Cleveland, Tennessee and I took the position of Assistant Education Coordinator for a Head Start program. After working for three years with Head Start, I took a job as a Director of an Infant Toddler Center for an alternative High School. Once my husband got out of school, he took a job as a pastor in a small town in Kansas. I applied for a teaching position with the Head Start Program in Joplin, Missouri. Life changed again and I moved back to Colorado Springs where I began working as a pre kindergarten teacher at the Pikes Peak Community College Child Development Center. I changed positions from teacher to assistant coordinator and then to coordinator of the Centennial Campus Child Development Center.

Kathleen Sutherland

My experience includes teaching in both public and private preschool classrooms. Currently I teach in a fully inclusive preschool classroom for 3-5 year olds at Heritage Elementary, in the Cherry Creek School District. Also, I provide, through mentoring, guidance and ongoing support to our new classroom teachers and teacher assistants that team with me.

I am a native to Colorado and enjoy all the wonderful opportunities that living in a beautiful state like ours has to offer. The Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program is going to be an exciting adventure and I am looking forward to all the great experiences it will provide.

I have a Bachelor of Science from Colorado State University, and my Director Qualification from Arapahoe Community College.

Tamar R. Taylor

My name is Tamar Ruth Taylor; I have lived in Colorado Springs for over 36 years. I graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelors degree in Sociology. After working in many school districts, I opened my own faith-based child care center in May of 2000. The center had a capacity of 45 children. During that time I obtained my group leader and Directors qualifications from Pikes Peak Community College. After seven years I accepted the challenge of working for KindCare Learning Center as a Center Director. Two years ago, I had another career opportunity to open a large center named Creative Kidz College as a business owner with a family member. The center has a capacity of 134 children and 22 staff members. Presently I am attending the University of Phoenix for a Masters in Early Childhood, I will complete in January of 2009 in conjunction I have been blessed to be a fellow in the Denver University-Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program.

Patricia Tubin

I have a Masters Degree in Social Work. After twelve years in the field I chose to stay at home with my young daughter and son. I began working part-time in their preschool and found working with young children fun, challenging and fulfilling. After 5 years teaching two and three year olds I chose to return to school, earning 24 Master level credit hours in Elementary Education.

My education plans were interrupted by our move to Denver and I returned to full time work teaching three year olds. I have a total of 8 years teaching in early childhood classrooms and 7 years in Early Childhood Administration. I have been with Cherry Creek Schools Early Childhood for six years. My current position is Head Start Coordinator and Colorado Preschool Program Manager. In addition to administering the Head Start program, I am involved with staff supervision and training. I have also taught an Early Childhood Curriculum class for Arapahoe Community College.

My plans have always included returning to graduate school. I have continued to increase my knowledge of Early Childhood Education through workshops and conferences. I am a member of the Johnson and Johnson UCLA Head Start Management Class of 2004 and have completed Training of Trainers in Creative Curriculum. I believe that my education and experience in both Social Work and Early Childhood enhance my abilities to partner with families in providing a quality preschool experience for their children. I am looking forward to increasing my knowledge and abilities and hope to become a stronger, more effective advocate for families, children and staff through my involvement in the Buell Early Leadership Cohort.

My daughter is a graduate of CSU and currently happily employed in her childhood dream of fashion design in New York City. My son currently works as a Supervisor in an electronics retail store and is planning to return to school and pursue a degree in business. My husband and I enjoy visits with our children, our empty nest and our two golden retrievers.

Katherine Wagoner

I began my Early Care and Education career in 1979, working in a variety of child care centers in all positions from assistant teacher to director, corporate child care, private non-profit and Head Start. I have also worked with children of all abilities, including medically fragile infants and toddlers. Currently, I am the Assistant Director of Child Care Licensing @ Red Rocks Community Colleges, Child Care Innovations (formerly Front Range Child Care Licensing). We are a contract agency for the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care. At this time, we license and inspect approximately 3,000 child care facilities in 15 counties, including 4 counties on the Western Slope. When I am not busy with licensing, I teach ECE classes for CCCOnline and Arapahoe Community College. In the past, I have also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), working with abused and neglected children.

In 1985, I earned my BA in Child and Family Studies; preschool Education from UNC in Greeley; I earned my MA in Elementary Education with an ECE endorsement from UNC @ Lowry in 2000, I also hold a Level 5 credential from the Office of Professional Development.