2016 Nominees

Craig Jones of Florida, right, at SECA 2013 in Mobile

Florida Association for the Education of Young Children The mission of the Florida Association for the Education of Young Children is to

benefit children and families by providing leadership, advocacy, and

professional development for early childhood professionals.

FLORIDA’S VOICE FOR CHILDREN

The State Affiliate for SECA and NAEYC

June 24, 2015

Dear Glenda,

Florida Association for the Education of Young Children (FLAEYC) 2016 Outstanding Member is

Dr. Craig Jones. Craig is originally from Gainesville, Florida where he completed his bachelor’s degree. He

received his PhD from the Pennsylvania State University in 1983 with a dual focus on early education

and human development. He currently serves as the Program Coordinator in Early Childhood Education

at the University of West Florida and is Public Policy Chair of the NWFAEYC. He also serves as Chair for

the Educational Research Center for Child Development on the University of West Florida Campus and

over the years has served as an officer in statewide early childhood associations, the local Northwest

Florida Association for the Education of Young Children and the United Faculty of Florida. Currently,

Craig serves as FLAEYC’s Vice President for Professional Development.

Craig Jones was chosen for this award for his commitment to the profession of early childhood

education. He serves as a long time academic reviewer for SECA’s professional journal, Dimensions and

FLAEYC’s journal, Children Our Concern. Craig has served as a FLAEYC Regional Representative and

helped shepherd the first local affiliate through the new NAEYC affiliation process in 2013. He works

student groups across the state to help them see the value in belonging to a professional organization.

One example of this is when he led a group of students at the University of West Florida that worked to

review FLAEYC’s website and develop a business plan. Another example is he will be skyping with the

student members of our affiliate from the Treasure Coast ECA and potential student members about

professional organizations and the value they bring to a person’s professional life in late August.

Craig Jones is worthy of this award of this award because he has dedicated his life to making a

difference in the lives of young children through providing high quality professional development to pre-

service and in-service teachers throughout Florida.

Warmest regards,

Bill Ganza, President, FLAEYC

Professional Vita/ Kenneth Craig Jones (2015)

Associate Professor, Division of Teacher Education, Department of Special, Primary and Vocational

Education. College of Professional Studies, University of West Florida

Educational Background 1983 Pennsylvania State University Ph.D. State College, Pennsylvania

Curriculum & Instruction: Early Childhood Education/Minor: Child Development/Family

1976 West Georgia College ( Carrollton) M.Ed/Early Childhood Education

1973 University of Florida (Gainesville) B.A./Elementary Education

Emphasis: Early Childhood

Licensure/Certification - Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education

Employment History at the University of West Florida

1990 – Present Associate Professor (Special, Primary and Vocational Education)

Academic Appointments at Other Institutions

1989 – 1990 Associate Professor of Education/Kennesaw State College, Georgia

1987-1989 Associate Professor of Education/ West Virginia College of Graduate Studies,

Institute, West Virginia

1984-1986 Assistant Professor of Education/West Virginia College of Graduate Studies,

Institute, West Virginia

1983-1984 Assistant Professor of Education/Davis & Elkins College, Elkins, West Virginia

1981-1982 Instructor in Science Methods/Pennsylvania State University, State College,

Pennsylvania

1980 Instructor of Early Childhood Education/ Pennsylvania State University, State

College, Pennsylvania

Other Professional Experiences

1980-1981 Coordinator of Cl 413 Clinical Experience/Pennsylvania State University

1979-1980 Supervisor of Clinical Experience/Pennsylvania State University

1977-1979 Title XX Child Development Specialist/West Georgia College

1976-1977 Classroom teacher, self-contained, first grade/Buchanan, Georgia

Typical Classes Assigned

EDF 6602- Trends and Issues in Education

EDE 6206- Integrated Curriculum and Instruction

EEX 6707 - Early Intervention for Handicapped & At-risk Preschool Children

EEX 6732 – Parent-Teacher Team and Agencies for Preschool Handicapped and At-risk Children

EEX 6455 – Program Development for Preschool Handicapped Children

EEX 6205 – Normal/Deviant Child Development – Conception to Five

EEC 5265 – Early Childhood Education

EEC 6615 – Problems, Issues & Trends in Early Childhood Education

EEC 6263 – Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Development

EEC 5265 – Early Childhood Education: Analysis of Programs

EDG 4940- Student Teaching

EEC 4306 – Assessment and Evaluation of Young Children

EDG 4373—Integrating the Arts

Doctoral Students :

2009 Robin Christensen, Intervention with Autistic Children

2006 Deborah Meaux- Transition Planning for Prekindergarten-Disabilities Students

2000 Angela Thames Martin--“The Effects of Using Grammatical Person On Student Acceptance of

Written Feedback To Improve Subsequent Performance”

1999 Stacie Barnes--“The MOVE Curriculum: An Application of Contemporary Theories of Physical

Therapy and Education.”

1998 Karen Owens-- “The View from Inside: Ethnography of a School Labeled Critically Low”

Research/Creative Activities:

“Try Again Toucan”: Effects of a resilience ‘kit’ on teacher’s planning and interactions with children.

Submitted Articles:

Drew, W., K.C. Jones, (2015), The Cardboard Challenge: Play in our schools. Submitted to Young Children

Published Work Products:

Jones, K. Craig, Integrating Curriculum into Play-Like Activities, Children Our Concern, April 2013 (Vol.5,

No. 1)

Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy (2008), Learning In Everyday Moments; Applying

Florida Birth to Three Learning and Developmental Standards in Everyday Routines, Florida State

University, Tallahassee, Florida

Jones, K. C.; Alcock, R. (2007); Implementation of the Mind in the Making Modules, Florida Institute of

Education, Jacksonville, Florida

Florida Task Force on Early Childhood Standards, (2004), Florida Birth to Three Learning and

Developmental Standards, Florida Partnership for School Readiness, Tallahassee Florida

Jones, K. C. et.al. (2002), Cognitive Development & General Knowledge, In: Florida School Readiness

Performance Standards for Three-, four- and Five-Year-Old Children, Florida Partnership for School

Readiness, Tallahassee, Florida (Chairman of workgroup)

Book:

Yawkey, T. D. & Jones, K.C. (1982 ), Caring: Teaching the Young Child to Care for Others: A Guide for

Parents and Teachers to Help Young Children Develop a Sense of Altruism, Prentice Hall, Englewood

Cliffs, N.J.

Sample of Presentations:

Jones, K. C., (January, 2015) Building a Cadre of Infant/Toddler Professionals, The Hawaii International

Conference On Education, Honolulu Hawaii,

Jones, K.C., (January, 2015) Infant/Toddler Specialists: Online programming, The 64th Annual

Conference of the Southern Early Childhood Association,.

Jones, K. C., (October, 2014)Online Training: Challenges for Both Instructor and Student. 58th Annual

FLAEYC Conference, Orlando, Florida,

Jones, K. C. (October, 2013). The role of men in early childhood education. Florida Association for the

Education of Young Children Annual Conference, Orlando, Fl.

Jones, K. C. (March, 2013) Building a Cadre of Infant/Toddler Specialists-The Florida Model, 64th Annual

Conference of the Southern Early Childhood Association, Mobile, Al.

Jones, K. C. & Manderson, D., (February, 2013), Leading for Change, Belleview Middle School, Pensacola,

Fl.

Jones, K. C. (November, 2012), Developmental Aspects of Special Needs Children, Santa Rosa County,

Milton, Fl.

Jones, K. C. (October, 2012), Leadership Development at the Local Level, Florida Association for the

Education of Young Children Annual Conference, Orlando, Fl

Jones, K. C. (October, 2012), Pros and Cons of On-Line Professional Development, A creative example,

Florida Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, Orlando, Fl

Jones, K. C. (April, 2012), Florida’s Prekindergarten Disabilities Endorsement: Professional Development

Connections, Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Denver, Co.

Jones, K. C. (February, 2012), Infant Mental Health and Florida’s Prekindergarten Disabilities

Endorsement: Professional Development Connections, Southern Early Childhood Association

Conference, San Antonio, Tx.

Jones, K. C. (December, 2011), Establishing a National Affiliate of NAEYC, Emerald Coast Association for

the Education of Young Children, Panama City, Fl.

Jones, K. C., Stevens, S. (Fall, 2010), Using ‘Smart Boards’ in the Classroom, Lincoln Park, Pensacola,

Florida.

Jones, K. C. (February, 2010), Technology in the Integrated Curriculum, Escambia County Technology

Work Group, Pensacola, Florida.

Jones, K. C. (November, 2009), Speaking Out: Early Childhood Advocacy: NWFAEYC, Pensacola, Florida.

Jones, K. C. (Fall, 2009), Planning for Integrating Learning: The Project Based Approach, Lincoln Park

Elementary, Pensacola, Florida.

Jones, K. C. (April, 2008), Concept Development in Young Children, Northwest Florida Association for

the Education of Young Children, Gulf Breeze, Florida.

Jones, K. C,. (October, 2007), Train the Trainer, Learning in Every Day Moments, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Jones, K. C. (2007, Multiple sessions); Implementing the Florida Birth to Three Standards, Ft. Walton

Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami

Jones, K. C. ( October, 2006,) Mind in the Making, International Infant Mental Health Association, Paris,

France

Jones, K. C. (October, 2006), Early Childhood Standards; A National Comparison, International Infant

Mental Health Association, Paris, France.

Jones, K.C. (2005, October) Professional Development in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Association of

Florida, Orlando, Fl.

Jones, K. C., Mirabella, A. & Graham, M. (June, 2005). IMH and the Dissemination Model for Florida’s

New Birth to Three Learning and Developmental Standards. Florida Association for Infant Mental

Health 5th Annual Conference, Safety Harbor, Fl.

Jones, K.C. ( 2005, April), “The state of readiness in the State of Florida”, Northwest Florida Association

for the Education of Young Children, Pensacola, Fl.

Jones, K.C.. Ghazvini, A. (2004, October), “ Learning Begins in Relationships” Florida Association for

Infant Mental Health, Coral Gables, Florida.

Jones, K.C.. Blechman, W. (2004, October), “Minds in the making; Integrating Social, Emotional &

Intellectual Development” Florida Association for Infant Mental Health, Coral Gables, Florida.

Jones, K.C. Graham, M. (2004, October) Minds in the Making, Early Childhood Association of Florida,

Orlando, Fl.

Jones, K.C., Martin, A (2004, June); Families Building Better Readers, Miami, Florida.

Jones, K. C. (2003. October), “ Developing Resilient Young Children”, Exploring New Directions, Research,

Policy and Best Practice in Early Care and Education, Florida Children’s Forum, 12th Annual Literacy

Conference, Orlando, Fl

Jones, K. C. (2003, March), “Skills and dispositions for Literacy”, Okaloosa Walton Assoc. for the

Education Of Young Children, Ft. Walton Beach, FL.

Jones, K. C. (2002, July), “Young Children, Standards and Assessment in Florida.” Florida Partnership for

School Readiness. Tampa, FL.

Jones, K. C. (2001, Sept). Technology and Young Children. Early Childhood Association of Florida,

Orlando, FL.

Jones, K. C. (2000, Nov.). Curriculum Integration of Portfolio Assessment. National Association of Early

Childhood Teacher Education, Atlanta, GA.

Fussell, L., Murry, S. and Jones, K.C. (1999,Oct). At the heart of the integrated curriculum. National

Middle School Association, Orlando, FL.

Jones, K. C. (1999, Sept.). The role of men in early childhood education. Early Childhood Association of

Florida, Orlando, FL.

Powell, R. Skoog, G., and Jones, K. C. (1998, Nov.). Maintaining the change process in the Integrated

Curriculum. National Middle School Association, Nashville, TN.

Jones, K. C. (1998, Sept.). Developing mathematical concepts through play. Early Childhood Association

of Florida, Orlando, FL.

Jones, K. C. (1998, Sept.). The role of men in Early Childhood Education. Early Childhood Association of

Florida, Orlando, FL.

Grants and Awards:

2008: Sabbatical Awarded

2005: Florida Institute of Education- $32,000

2003: Florida Network of CBEL & Professional Development Hubs” $30,000

2002: Florida Network of EBEL & Professional Development Hubs” $60,000

2001: FDOE- “Pathways to Professionalism” $4,000

2001: Sabbatical Awarded

2000: University Liaison for Local Readiness Coalition, $10,000, SUS Chancellor.

Sample Staff Development Activities (Presentations/Workshops for Professional Education)

Belleview Middle School ‘Connections team”, February, 2013

Santa Rosa County ESE Early Childhood, November, 2012

Florida Community College Early Childhood Network, April, 2011

Escambia County Title I, PreK, March 2010

Miami Dade Early Learning Coalition, Feb. 2009

Santa Rosa Co ECE Coalition, Milton, June 2008

Duval Co. ECE Coalition, Jacksonville, May, 2007

Miami/Dade Co ECE Coalition, Ft. Lauderdale, April 2006

Rhode Island First Start, Providence, RI, March 2006

Central Child Services, Chapel Hill, N.C., Minds in the Making, , April, 2005

Greater Tulsa Early Start, Tulsa, OK., Minds in the Making, March, 2005

Center for Prevention, FSU, Tallahassee, Fl, Minds in the Making August, 2004

Brown Barge Middle School, “Supporting the change process”, January, 2004.

Longwood Elementary School, “Setting a Change Agenda” March, 2003.

Brown Barge Middle School, "Assessment and Curriculum Alignment” Pensacola, FL, February, 2003.

Brown Barge Middle School, "Establishing a Shared Vision, Pensacola, FL, August 2002.

Okaloosa County School Board: Developmentally Appropriate Practice for Guidance Counselors and

Resource Teachers, January, 2000.

Okaloosa County School Board: Infrastructure to support DAP in classrooms. Ft. Walton Beach, FL,

February, 1999.

Faith Christian Church School, "Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum", Panama City, FL, September,

1997.

Academic Reviewer:

Dimensions of Early Childhood: SECA Journal-2012-13

Children Our Concern, 2000-Present

Journal of Elementary Science Education, 1993-2005

Institutional Service

University:

Academic Integrity Committee-Current

UFF Senator 2008-current

UFF Chief Negotiator/Senator-2007-8

Provost Search Committee-2007

UFF Senator-2005-7

UFF President 2004-5

Provost Search Committee 2004

Presidents Blue Ribbon Panel of Salary-2004

Planning and Special Issues Committee2004

Sponsored Research Task Force 2004

UWF United Faculty of Florida President-2003

Faculty Senator, 2002-2004

Academic Review Committee, 2002-2004

Library Committee, 2000-2003

President of Faculty Senate, 1998-99

President Elect of Faculty Senate, 1997-98

College:

Academic Standards Review-2012-2014

Personnel Committee- 2012

Program Review Team HLES, 2011

NCATE Preparation Team 2009-2010

Program Coordinator for Pre-K/Primary, 1999-2010

ERDC Review Committee, 1999

COPS council, 1997-98

Chair of NCATE preparation committee, 1997-98

Organizational Service

Vice President for Professional Development, Florida Association for the Education of Young

Children 2013-14

State Affiliate Board for the National Association for the Education of Young Children

Northwest Regional Representative for the Florida Association for the Education of Young

Children

ECARE Task Force

Board Member, North West Florida Ass. for the Education of Young Children-2003-current

Advisory Council, Brown Barge Middle School, 2002-2008

Infant Mental Health Task Force 2002-Present

Advisory Council, Blue Angles Elementary School, 2000 -2003

Chief Justices Council on Children, 1996-1999

Early Childhood Association of Florida, Public Policy Committee, 1996-2000

Florida Committee to Abolish Corporal Punishment in Schools, 1992 - 2001

Advisory Council, Weis Elementary School, 1998-2000

Other Professional Service

Science Fair Judge

History Fair Judge

Children’s Defense Fund “Key Advocate”

FDOE RFP committee for State Assessment Instruments

FDOE, FELE Curriculum Development Committee

Florida Children’s Forum Consultant/trainer

Grant reviewer FACE

Promoting Safe and Stable Families Task Force

Every Child A Reader

Children’s Campaign

Honors and Awards

2012 Outstanding Member award, NWFLAEYC

2010 Outstanding Child Advocate, FLAEYCUWF

Advising award - 1999

Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding University Teacher, 1998

Current Memberships in Professional Organizations

Northwest Florida Association for the Education of Young Children

President 2004-5, President, 1998-99; Vice President, 1997, Public Policy Chair-current

Florida Center for Children and Youth, 1992 - present

Southern Early Childhood Association, 1990 - Present

American Educational Research Association, 1983- 2000

(alternate years)

Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1981-1999 (alternate years)

National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1975-present.

Florida Association for the Education of Young Children

Vice President for Professional Development- 2013-14

Northwest Regional Representative 2010-2011

Professional Development Committee, 1998-2000

Public Policy Committee, 1993-2014

Membership Chair, 1991-1993

Cindy Ramagos of Louisiana

Beverly Peden of Mississippi

Kathy Stegall, center, at the 50th AECA Anniversary Conference TO: Board of Directors Southern Early Childhood Association FROM: Board of Directors Arkansas Early Childhood Association DATE: July 19, 2015 It is with pride that the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Early Childhood Association (AECA) nominates Kathy H. Stegall for the Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA) Outstanding Member Award. Kathy’s resume’ is attached. Service to SECA Kathy served on the SECA Board as the Arkansas Representative from 1997 – 2004 and was Vice-President of the Board in 2004. Her involvement in SECA conferences includes Co-Chair of the 1985 and 1996 conferences in Little Rock and Chair of 2001conference. Kathy has been a repeat presenter at SECA Conferences. With Cathy Grace, SECA Executive Director, she co-authored a SECA publication on licensing and quality. Commitment to SECA Mission “SECA is committed to improving the quality of care and education for young children and their families through advocacy and professional development.” From beginning as a teacher at a faith-based preschool forty-five years ago, to her current position as an Out-of-School Time Coach, Kathy has fulfilled the mission of SECA. She has been involved in public policy efforts for both AECA and SECA. However, it is her professional experiences with the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, that most clearly defines Kathy as the person who has had the most impact on improving the quality of care and education for young children and their families in Arkansas. Kathy experiences are outlined in her resume’. They include social worker, Statewide Program Manager of Licensing, Program Director for Arkansas Early Childhood Commission, Program Development Coordinator,

Administrator of Arkansas Better Chance Program (public pre-k), and Professional Development Administrator. Through Kathy’s leadership in the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, many programs were initiated that improved the quality of child care and early education in Arkansas. In 2012, Kathy retired from State Government after serving from 1974 to 2012. Soon after that she began working part-time as Out-of-School Coach, serving school-age and youth development programs with professional development opportunities, training, technical assistance, guidance toward Better Beginnings and quality assessment reviews. Service to AECA Just as Kathy was a leader in SECA, she was also a leader in AECA where she has worn many hats, beginning as a member of the first AECA membership committee. She held many offices on the AECA Board, including Vice-President for Publications, Treasurer, President-Elect, President, Immediate Past-President and SECA Representative. In 1999 she was selected as the AECA Outstanding Member. Kathy has continued to be involved in AECA and is currently serving on a committee to revise the AECA Policy Manual. Recognized by Colleagues as a Leader In 2014 the AECA Board established the Kathy Stegall Rising Leader Award to be given annually. This award recognizes newer members who are already making a significant contribution to AECA and to the field of early care and education and/or youth development in Arkansas and have demonstrated the potential for leadership and continuing service to the organization and to the field. The first recipient of the award was recognized at the 2014 AECA Conference. From this recommendation and her resume’, it is evident that Kathy Stegall is deserving of receiving the Outstanding SECA Member Award.

Professional Vita/Kathy H. Stegall

September 2012 to present: Out of School Time (OST) Coach with A-State Childhood Services (part-

time) Serving School-age and Youth Development programs with Professional Development

opportunities, training, technical assistance, guidance towards Better Beginnings and Quality

Assessment reviews.

January 2012—Retired from State Government (March 1974-January 2012)

January 1998-January 2012—Program Development Coordinator with AR Division of Child Care and Early

Childhood Education/Administrator of Arkansas Better Chance Program (Public-Pre-K), Professional

Development Administrator, Program Development/grants, loans, special projects.

January 1992-January 1998—Program Director AR Early Childhood Commission/Child Care Development

Fund, grants, loans, program and professional development activities

January 1988-February 1992—Governor Appointee to AR Early Childhood Commission

January 1976-January 1992—Child Care Licensing Statewide Program Manager/ Design and

development of original Child Care Voucher system

March 1974-January 1976-Department of Human Services/Social Worker

October 1973-March 1975-Youth Coordinator Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, Little Rock

September 1970-May 1972- University of Alabama, Theatre Arts

September 1970-May 1972-Teacher/3 and 4’s First United Methodist Church Day School Huntsville,

Alabama

SECA and AECA involvement:

79-80 served on first AECA membership committee

80-84 AECA 1st Vice President for Publications

84-86 AECA Treasurer

86-87 AECA Chair Public Policy

87-88 AECA President Elect

88-89 AECA President

89-90 AECA Past President

89-90 SECA Public Policy Commission Chair

90-97 continued to serve on AECA Board in different roles

97-2004 SECA Rep from Arkansas/Board VP 2004

1999 AECA Outstanding Member Award

2014 AECA established the Kathy Stegall Emerging Leader Award

1985 SECA Conference in Little Rock/Conference Co-Chair with Dot Brown

1996 SECA Conference in Little Rock/Conference Co-Chari with Dot Brown

2001 SECA Conference in Little Rock/Conference Chair

SECA Publication: Licensing and Quality with Cathy Grace

Repeat presenter at AECA and SECA conferences

Other:

1990 High Scope Teacher Trainer

2012 Certified Trainer for David Weikert Center –Youth Methods/Center for Youth Program Quality

2012 Certified Trainer for David Weikert Center for Youth Program Quality/Management

2010-present-Approved External Assessor for the Youth and School age Program Quality Assessment

Tools

2014 Nominee

GEORGIA ASSOCIATION ON YOUNG CHLDREN

368 Moreland Avenue, NE, Suite 240Atlanta, GA 30307-1927

404-222-0014 404-222-0107 (fax)

gayc@algxmail.com www.gayconline.org

June 27, 2013

Glenda Bean

Executive Director, SECA

P.O. Box 55930

Little Rock, Arkansas 72215-5930

Dear Glenda,

I am writing to nominate Patricia A. Minish, Ph.D. for the Outstanding SECA Member award.

Pat has lead the Georgia Association on Young Children (GAYC) as Executive Director since

1996 and has done an outstanding job of growing GAYC into a highly functioning organization.

Over the past 17 years, Pat has held many leadership positions in our state and has always been a

staunch advocate for the children, families, and early childhood education professionals in

Georgia. The GAYC Board believes that Pat would be an excellent recipient for the

Outstanding SECA Member and it is without hesitation that I submit her name for consideration.

As the Executive Director for GAYC, she has helped to establish GAYC as a highly respected

organization in the state. While GAYC does not have a large staff, Pat has strengthened GAYC

as organization through strong leadership, advocacy, management, and fundraising skills. Each

year, GAYC has an annual conference that draws approximately 2,500 participants from across

the state. Pat has been instrumental in ensuring the success of this conference, offering several

Train the Trainer courses and other professional development opportunities for beginning,

intermediate and advanced teachers, directors and trainers. Over the years she has presented

more than 300 presentations to support quality early education experiences for young children.

Consequently, GAYC has gained the reputation as a provider of high-quality professional

development opportunities.

Together for Children

She has brought many partners to GAYC who have supported or funded GAYC for projects:

Bright from the Start, Governor’s Office for Children and Families, Georgia Department of

Public Health, Georgia Department of Education, United Way of Greater Atlanta, Atlanta

Women’s Foundation and the Community Foundation to mention a few. One of the long-term

projects that has been consistently funded since 2001 is supporting centers to improve their

quality and/or achieve NAEYC accreditation.

In addition to the numerous roles she performs as the Executive Director for GAYC, she also has

served since 2009 as chair for Strengthening Families Georgia (SFG), funded by the Governor’s

Office for Children and Families, and has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Strengthening

Families Framework of Protective Factors is embedded in the work that is done on behalf of

children and families throughout the state of Georgia. SFG is a voluntary partnership of over 50

organizations dedicated to reducing child abuse and promoting optimal child development. She

is also a member of the Georgia Birth to 5 Coalition and is an Advisory Council Member for the

Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Schools.

It is clear that Pat is a respected leader in Georgia and this is reflected in her work with Bright

from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. Her knowledge and ideas are

highly valued by this agency and she has served in a variety of capacities including the Quality

Initiatives Advisory Group, Georgia ECE Professional Development Advisory Council,

Professional Development System Workgroup, Professional Development Portfolio Review

Team, Infant/Toddler Steering Committee, Quality Rating System Indicators Committee,

Training Approval Committee, Parent Education Criteria Committee, Early Learning Standards

Advisory Committee, and the Pre-K Assessment Advisory Committee. Her leadership and

commitment to doing the right thing for children has earned her the respect of many of the

decision makers in Georgia.

Pat has been a member of SECA for over 22 years and she believes in the work that is done by

SECA. Her entire career, from her beginning position as a kindergarten teacher to her role as a

faculty member at the University of Georgia and then through GAYC, has been focused on

improving the quality of care for children through her advocacy and commitment to the

importance of quality professional development. Pat has served as a role model for many of

those in our field and her leadership will be missed as she is retiring in January 2014. I believe

this is the perfect time to recognize Pat as the Outstanding SECA Member for 2014. Thank you

for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Laurel Beckham, Ph.D.

GAYC President

2013 Nominee

To whom it may concern:

The South Carolina Early Childhood Association would like to nominate Mrs. Judy Whitesell for the SECA

Outstanding Member Award.

Judy Whitesell has been an active member of the South Carolina Early Childhood Association (SCECA)

and the Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA) for over twenty years. She has served on the local

level as Secretary and as District President. Presently, she is Treasurer of District VII. She has been

Membership Chairperson, Vice President, President-elect, President, and Past President as well as the

Conference Chair for SCECA. She represented South Carolina as the SECA Representative from 2003-

2009. She was on the Executive Board of SECA and served as Secretary from 2006-2009.

Judy mentors prospective child care workers and teachers locally in the school where she teaches and in

Midlands Technical College where she is an adjunct professor. She volunteers her time and expertise to

present at District-level mini-conferences as well as at our state-level conferences.

Judy has been recently hired by SCECA to be the Meeting Planner for both state conferences. She is

responsible for soliciting vendors for the Exhibit Hall, planning the meeting space setups, securing the

audio-visual contracts, securing presenters, producing the conference programs, and overseeing that

the conference is run well.

Judy Whitesell is a remarkable individual who gives of her time freely to insure that the prospective

teachers and present teachers of our state are well prepared to educate South Carolina’s children now

and into the future.

Sincerely,

Becky Wardlaw Executive Director of SCECA