ABOUT THE BOARD |
Gloria Williams, President
Email: Glowilliams@mac.com Diana Hill, Past PresidentDiana 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: Dhill87816@aol.com Shanna Kukla, President-Elect Ms Kukla is a passionate advocate for children as well as those professionals who facilitate their care and education. Email: smkukla@aol.com
Erin Daga, Vice President of Support Email: erindaga@gmail.com
Jaymie Jacobs, Vice President of Volunteer Opportunities
Email: jaymie.jacobs@schools.pima.gov Mary Jo Schwartz, Treasurer 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. Amber Jones (Cheyne), Vice President of Organizational Development
Amber is now a certified PITC (Program for Infant/Toddler Care) educator at Child & Family Resources, Inc. working closely with Early Childhood Programs to improve quality and educate teachers about Developmentally Appropriate Practice for infants and toddlers through a program called Project BEST (Believing in Education through Support and Training). Project BEST is modeled after a PITC developed program for Early Childhood Centers & Family Childcare Homes called Partners for Quality that is currently being researched by Berkeley Policy Associates. Amber is hopeful that the results from the research study will provide proof that Early Childhood Programs need to be educated and supported in quality infant/toddler care in order to ensure that every child gets the start in life they deserve. Amber is honored to serve on the SAzAEYC board and looks forward to collaborating with many Early Childhood Professionals as we continue to be a voice for children in our community and raise the bar for quality Early Childhood Programs in Arizona. *Amber was recently married, in November 2009, to her wonderful husband Travis Jones. Amber’s new name is officially Amber Jones, her maiden name, Cheyne Wendy Flynn, Member At LargeFor 13 years Wendy has proudly been a member of the early childhood community—as a Teacher’s Aide, a Lead Teacher and currently as the Director of Adventure School, an NAEYC accredited program. Wendy has also been a part of the community through her continued advocacy for young children and as a student. A recipient of the First Focus on Kids Professional Development Scholarship, Wendy earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is proud to have graduated from Central Arizona College with a 4.0 GPA. Wendy was selected by the faculty of Central Arizona College’s Early Childhood Education Department as the Outstanding Student of 2009. Following her graduation in May 2009 Wendy began working on core curriculum toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Wendy is a proud member of Phi Theta Kappa (International Honor Society of Two Year Colleges). Through her involvement in the early childhood community Wendy strives to promote cultural awareness, hands-on learning, and continued professional development of all who work with young children. Email: wflynn@academyadventures.com Michelle Garmon, Vice President Services Sibieanne Martinez, Member At Large
Sibieanne was a Family Child Care Provider for over 20 years. She is married to husband Paul and has three children and eight grandchildren. They are and continue to be a driving force behind her motto which is; “as good as the rest but better than the best.” Children deserve better which keeps her on the forefront of children’s issues. Email: ssmith@amphi.com |
Gloria Williams is Director of the Sopori Even Start Family Literacy Program in the Sahuarita Unified School District. She is an Arizona State Family Literacy Trainer, a Certified Trainer for the National Center for Family Literacy and has worked on committees for Arizona Early Learning Standards, Arizona Adult Education Assessment and Adult Education Curriculum Alignment. As part of a federal Expanding the Reach Reading Initiative, she delivers technical assistance and SBRR professional development to K-3 schools.
Shanna Kukla came to Tucson in 1997 from Cambridge, MA where she graduated from Leslie University. Ms Kukla has worked as a preschool teacher at the Tucson Jewish Community Center’s ECE program and then as the kindergarten teacher at St. Alban’s Preschool and Kindergarten, both accredited by NAEYC. In 2003 she became the director of St. Alban’s Preschool and Kindergarten. Currently, Ms Kukla is the Program Manager for the Pima Community College Center for Early Childhood Studies. She serves as VP Services of the Southern Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children’s Governing Board. She is also an active member since 2007 of the Youth Development Coalition and First Focus on Kids Impact Council.
Erin Daga is currently a stay-at-home mother and early education consultant. She most recently worked as a Community Development Manager at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, where she oversaw the implementation of a Compassion Capital Fund grant and assisted with the development of regional partnerships for early childhood education. She has experience in collaboration building, grant writing, research and marketing. She has a B.A. degree in political science.
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.
Amber moved to Tucson in December of 2006 when her husband (then fiancé) was offered a job at a local accounting firm. Upon arrival to Tucson, her experience included being a teacher, manager, and then Director of a NAEYC accredited Preschool and Early Childhood Center, in Las Cruces, NM. Before heading to Tucson, Amber was able to get the center a four star rating and ready for NAEYC accreditation.
Michelle Garmon is the director of St. Thomas Preschool. Graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Services and a Child Development degree. Michelle has worked in the early childhood field for 9 years. She is a current 2009-2010 Early Education Emergent Leader student. 
Sibieanne has been an advocate for children and Family Child Care Providers for over 30 years. She presently is employed for Community Extension Program as Director of Facilities and Operations for 10 School Age Programs and Three Early Learning Centers. Sibieanne is also a part time preceptor for Central Arizona College, teaching Early Care and Education Classes. Sibieanne has been a Child Care Consultant and CDA Advisor and NAFCC Accreditation Observer.