Southern Arizona AEYC

Jessica Brisson, President

Jessica Brisson recently embarked on a new endeavor with the Vail Unified School District in Vail, Arizona. Jessica’s position as Early Childhood Family Service Coordinator entails working with the early childhood and family aspects of a grant, entitled Vail C.A.R.E.S. Jessica Brisson a short time ago came from Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R), one of several child focused programs at the non-profit agency, Child & Family Resources, Inc. She currently sits on the S*CCEEDS Policy Board, a Board of Director for Vail Pride Day, active with the Pima County Parenting Coalition, member of the Kiwanis Young Children’s Council and is a trainer on the national, state and local levels.

Jessica prides herself as a third generation early childhood professional and has found inspiration to advocate for children from her mother, Debbie a preschool teacher and grandmother, Joan, who is retired from family child care. Jessica is no stranger to the social service world as her college education and previous experience dealt with the social sector. She is a former social worker for Child Protective Services and former Coordinator of Supervised Visitation for children in the custody of Child Protective Services with Aviva Children’s Services.

Email: brissonj@vail.k12.az.us

Diana Hill, President Elect

Diana Hill is director of Tucson Community School, an NAEYC accredited parent co-operative preschool and kindergarten. Graduating from the University of Vermont, she taught in public schools and preschools, and has served on the AZ Foster Care Review Board, Young Audiences of Southern Arizona, the CFHS Accountability Committee, and currently serves on the boards of SAzAEYC and Green Fields Country Day School. She is a 2006 Chase Emergent Leader.

She has presented at three NAEYC conferences, and recently, with a colleague, created and presented Keep it Real, Do it Outdoors: Building the foundations for learning science, at the SAzAEYC conference.

Enthusiastically dedicated to her profession and family, she works to support and inspire.

Email: diana@tucsoncommunityschool.org

Dr. Susan Eck, Past President

Susan Eck earned her Master’s Degree in Human Development and Family Life from the University of Kansas and her Doctorate in Special Education from the University of Arizona. Within both degrees, there was a strong emphasis in early childhood. Sue worked with the Blake Foundation Children and Family Services for almost 12 years as Associate Director in charge of Project “Me Too!” and the Early Head Start and Head Start programs in Tucson, Sierra Vista and Safford. Within her capacity at the Blake Foundation, Sue served on many state and local committees and advisory groups advocating for quality services for children of all abilities and their families. She has served as volunteer coordinator, treasurer and member-at-large of the Tucson Association for the Education of Young Children. Currently, she is working as a consultant with Supported Living Systems, a program she owns with her husband of 36 years, Rick. Sue and Rick have 5 children and two dogs: 3 daughters, Holly, Kate and Tricia and two son-in-laws, Ken and Mike. Rosie and Toby, the dogs, are the only two of their babies who still live at home with them.

Email: drmommy@aol.com

Ann Cliffford, Vice President Organizational Development

Ann Clifford is a seasoned early childhood professional with many years experience as a teacher, director, executive, grant writer and mentor. She is especially effective working with childcare staff and assisting centers to improve the quality of their programs. Currently Ann is coaching child care centers on program improvements with Child & Family Resources as part of Hands on Quality. Because of her years of experience in both profit and not-for-profit agencies she brings a unique set of knowledge and leadership skills to the child care community. Married for over 30 years, Ann is a mother of three grown daughters. She spends her ‘spare time’ creating costumes for a local dance studio, pursuing a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and working out at the gym.

Shanna Kukla, Treasurer

Shanna is the director of St. Alban’s Preschool and Kindergarten. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services. Shanna has worked in the early childhood field for 22 years, and is a passionate advocate for young children and their families. Shanna and her husband David are the proud parents of Joel, age 17 and James, age 7.

Email: smkukla@aol.com

Connie Espinoza, Vice President of Services

Connie Espinoza is the full-time Infant/Toddler Educator for Child and Family Resource's Arizona Infant Toddler Institute. As Infant/Toddler Specialist, she is responsible for facilitating workshops and providing technical assistance for child care providers throughout Southern Arizona. Prior to working with CFR, Connie was a family child care provider. As a provider, she worked as a consultant for Child and Family Resources and facilitated and assisted in facilitating a number of workshops for child care providers. She has also worked at the Tucson Children's Museum as Education Specialist. In that role, she lead tours for elementary school and preschool students and facilitated art and science workshops for children. Connie graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Family and Consumer Resources and is currently pursuing a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership. Connie has over 10 years experience working with children.

Jill Morgan, Vice President of Support

Jill Morgan is currently the Director of First Focus on Kids at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. She manages programs around quality childcare, early literacy, parent education, and professional development of childcare center staff. She also oversees the Early Childhood Partnership of Southern Pima County, as well as the activities of the Youth Development Coalition. Jill has a B.A. in Elementary Education and taught middle school in the Midwest for seven years. Her other professional experience includes work in city government, business, and human resources. She is passionate about children and committed to using her talents to make a difference in their lives.

Jill is a graduate of Greater Tucson Leadership and volunteers for several community organizations. She is an outdoor enthusiast and took a whitewater rafting trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 2004—an experience that was exhilarating and life-changing! She enjoys writing, reading, painting, and spending time with friends and her two cats.

Jaymie Jacobs, Vice President of Volunteer Opportunities

Jaymie is a Program Coordinator for the Office of the Pima County School Superintends Office. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Arizona in Child Development and Family Relations and over twenty years experience in early childhood education. Her ECE journey has included being a teacher’s aide, a special education preschool teacher, a developmental specialist for infants and toddlers, DDD Supervisor and the Pima County Program Coordinator for the Arizona Early Intervention Program. She believes strongly that all children deserve the highest quality health care and education.

Email: jjacobs@pimaregionalsupport.org

Naomi Karp, NAEYC Liaison to State Affiliate

Naomi Karp is a native Tucsonan and currently works as an early childhood education consultant. From 1977 until 2003, Naomi and her family lived in Arlington, Virginia.

During that time, Naomi spent 20 years in the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, DC. She worked for 10 years in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services where she started a research program focused on supporting children with disabilities and their families in inclusive education and community programs.

In 1993, the Secretary of Education asked Naomi to set up the Department’s first early childhood research office, which became the National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education. She served as the acting director of that office and officially became the first director in 1995. In July 2003, Naomi and her husband returned to Tucson.

Email: nk.az@comcast.net

Karen D. McDonald, Member At Large

Karen is the Child & Family Resources' First Focus on Kid Program Coordinator. A certified teacher and Early Education Specialist, she works with United Way to help improve the quality of early education. She is also an artist, writer, and sits on the grants panel for the Arts in Education committee at Tucson Pima Arts Council.

Email: kmcdonald@cfraz.org

Sibieanne Smith, Member At Large

Sibieanne has advocated for children and child care providers for over 25 years. She has been an Early Childhood Education adjunct for Central Arizona College for over five years, a consultant for the Blake Foundation for almost two years with the program, "Project Me Too" and a translator for over 10 years.

Prior to this Sibieanne was a child care provider for over 21 years. Sibianne feels there is so much to be done, especially now that people are waking up to the importance of Early Care and Development. Sibianne’s motto is, "As good as the rest but better than the best" and she strives to live by this.

Email: Sibieanne@aol.com

Gloria Williams, Member At Large

Gloria Williams is the Director of the Amado Even Start Program in the Sahuarita Unified School District. She is an Arizona State Family Literacy Trainer, a Certified Trainer for the National Center of Family Literacy and has worked on committees for Arizona Early Learning Standards, Arizona Adult Education Assessment and Adult Education Curriculum Alignment.

Email: glowilliams@mac.com

Mike Russo, Member At Large

Mike Russo earned his B.A. Degree in Elementary Education from Curry College and his M.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College. He has worked in the field of ECE in one way or another since he was a child himself and has a special connection with children. Mike came directly out of school and began working with Davis-Monthan AFB Family Member Programs Child Development Center as a teacher. A few years later he was promoted to Training & Curriculum Specialist for the same center. Almost 12 years later he continues to work with the AF and has held many positions within that time. Mike’s true passion is to be with the children so he continues to be the trainer where he can be in the classroom with the children and role model for the staff. Mike has a wife Keri of 11 yrs, two children Jared and Ashley and a house full of animals. Mike would like to do more for children, families and the Early Childhood field of education on a global level and being a part of the SAzAEYC is the first step to that goal.

Vickie Young-Chiverton, Member At Large

Vickie has been in the field of Early Childhood Education for 26 years. She received a M.Ed in Early Childhood/Special Needs from the University of New Hampshire. Her ECE journey has included being a teacher’s aide, a special education preschool teacher, a developmental specialist for infants and toddlers, a child care trainer and consultant, and a curriculum and program developer.

Vickie is presently on the faculty at Central Arizona College with the Early Care and Education Department where she teaches traditional on-campus classes as well as on-line classes. She is inspired daily by her students who are striving to further their education and working hard to improve the quality of Early Childhood programs.

Vickie grew up in New Hampshire. She left the Northeast for the Southwest 15 years ago. Vickie lives in Tucson with her 12 year old son Luke and her husband Chuck. In her free time, she loves to be involved in anything that has to do with food- shopping for it, reading about it, cooking and eating! She is proud and grateful to be a 3 year breast cancer survivor.

Allison Comport, Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy

Allison Comport works at Child and Family Resources, Inc. as an Education Specialist/Trainer conducting workshops for child care providers in Southern Arizona. She has her Masters degree in Childhood Education and is pursuing a second Masters degree in Counseling with an emphasis on Early Childhood Mental Health. She is a certified teacher in grades 1 through 6 in the State of New York. Allison has been a member of NAEYC for several years and has worked in an NAEYC accredited child care center. She has also worked with children with special needs and school age staff as well.

Contact Alliason at (520) 320-4027

Email: acomport@cfraz.org

Cari Christoff, Member-At-Large

Originally from the Chicago area, Cari has spent the last 10 years in the Tucson area working with young children as a teacher and administrator. With over 20 years in the field, she brings a varied and diverse perspective to the strengths and challenges facing the issues of the Early Childhood Community. Cari has 2 children, ages 10 and 22, and enjoys traveling back to the Midwest frequently to visit family and friends. Cari is currently the director of the TCWC Angel Children’s Center. The center serves families affected by Domestic Violence as well as families from the community.

Mary Jo Schwartz, Member at Large

Mary Jo is one of several thousands of people born and raised in the Midwest who heard the call of the Sonoran Desert and relocated to Tucson, Arizona. For her it was the smell of creosote after a summer rain, a smell she still finds intoxicating.

She has been here almost 30 years, has raised two children to adulthood, returned to graduate school for a Master’s Degree in social work, and has had several positions focused on facilitating the delivery of prevention/early intervention services for low-income children and families. Currently, she is the Director of Community Partnerships for Child-Parent Centers, Inc., the Head Start grantee in Southern Arizona.
Her hobbies include playing with her two dogs, a beagle and lab, and keeping up with Book Club assignments.

Kate Bessey, Association Manager

Kate Bessey Kate Bessey is the new part-time association manger for SAzAEYC. She has her B.S. in Family Studies and has worked for Head Start and COPE Behavioral Services. She is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Information and Library Sciences and hopes to work as a school librarian someday. In addition, she is busy helping her husband run a landscape construction company and raising their 5 year old son.

Email: sazzymanager@gmail.com

Erin Daga, Secretary

Erin Daga is a Community Development Manager at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, where she oversees the implementation of a Compassion Capital Fund grant and assists with the development of AEEFs regional partnerships. She has experience in collaboration building, grant writing, research and marketing. She has a B.A. degree in political science.

Michelle Saint Hilaire, Student Representative

Michelle Saint Hilaire is a student at Pima Community College planning to transfer to NAU to pursue a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies. Michelle has worked in the ECE field for fifteen years with 9 years program management experience and several years teaching preschool. For the past four years she has worked ad an Outreach Specialist with the SCCEEDS program which has given her unique insight to the specific needs of Practitioners. Michelle recently received a promotion at Child & Family Resources, Inc. and is the SCCEEDS Program Supervisor. She is passionate to have the opportunity to serve as a representative for students because she will focus on connecting students with SAzAEYC. Michelle is married to a wonderful man and together they have one child, a boy, who is lucky enough to attend a high quality preschool program in Tucson.