I have been in education for 26 years, including serving as the Director of Early Education for seven years. I initially entered the field to ensure all children receive a quality educational experience. My son was treated poorly by his third-grade teacher because she believed that Black and Brown students were uneducable; in fact, 18 of the 20 students in her classroom were classified as students with special needs. Knowing that was wrong, I decided to become a teacher to ensure it would never happen to another child.

Transitioning from K–12 and Adult Education to Early Education has provided me with a panoramic view of the educational landscape. I now deeply understand the need for foundational learning, as well as parent and community involvement. This holistic approach ensures that a child's educational journey includes not just the acquisition of facts, but also socio-emotional development, self-regulation, and a lifelong love of learning.