2022 Board of Directors
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INTERIM PRESIDENT ELECT: STEFANY PAREDES
Pronouns-She/Her/Hers My name is Stefany Paredes and I am currently the Interim President Elect for SAZAEYC. I am a passionate advocate for Early Childhood Education, I have my associates degree in Early Childhood Education which I received this past summer of 2020 from Tohono O’odham Community College. I have had the amazing experiences in interning at the Headstart in Sells as well as being the President of the Early Childhood Education club at TOCC and being a member of the A’al Hamascam Community of Practice. I was also previously the childcare provider representative for the Pima North Regional Partnership Council where I gained experience in leadership, politics, and advocacy. I am excited to be serving on the SAZAEYC board and using my knowledge and expertise in the field to do the best that I can for ECE! Email: stefany@sazaeyc.org |
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PAST PRESIDENT: CYNNAMON WOODBERRY
Pronouns-She/Her/Hers Cynnamon supports educators and families as a Make Way for Books Program Director-Story Project, creating high-quality learning environments to foster children literacy and language skills. With a background in family and child studies, Cynnamon has supported educators in fostering best practice in their classrooms. She has worked with at-risk adolescents through youth diversion programs offered by Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona. In her work with Child and Family Resource, Inc, she provided support for sexual health awareness and resilience through the GRRRLS Project and also supported the First Things First Great Expectations grant through the infant toddler community of practice, Project BEST. She has worked with the SAZAEYC board as a member at large, then the secretary, President Elect, President and is honored to complete her service as Past President in 2022. Email: cwoodberry@sazaeyc.org |
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR : KELLY ANN LARKIN
Pronouns-She/Her/Hers Kelly has spent over twenty five years working with young children, families and educators. Kelly holds a B.S. in Child Development and Family Relations from the University of Maine, Orono and a MA in Teacher and Teacher Education with Early Childhood Education emphasis from the University of Arizona. As director of Copper Creek ELC, she proudly led the school through NAEYC accreditation, receiving 100+ in all 10 required standards. Currently she works as a Coordinator for Las Familias and as Executive Director of SAZAEYC. Las Familias is one of the Community of Practices within the Great Expectations grant funded by First Things First. In past roles, she served as the Co-Chair for the SAZAEYC Annual Conference, Member at Large and Vice President of Services for SAZAEYC; Co-Chair of Community Relations for the Copper Creek PTO and Co-Treasurer for Oro Valley Lacrosse League. She currently serves as a board member for Treasures for Teachers Tucson. In her spare time, Kelly enjoys walking Lucy, the family dog, cooking, sewing and reading. She is the proud mother of Hannah, and Tim Jr., and has been married to her husband Tim for over 23 years. Email: Executive Director: Kelly Ann Larkin |
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VP OF MEMBERSHIP: MAGGIE MCKIERNAN
Pronouns-She/Her/Hers Maggie McKiernan has been teaching since 1971, with age groups from infant to adult, including many years’ experience in Special Education. She has a Bachelor’s degree/ teaching credential from the University of London in Education (K – gr. 12) and Drama, and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from NAU (2014). For the past 30 years, Maggie has had a successful, innovative children’s program, of movement, music, and drama called Quality Time, which provides sessions for infants to elementary age children. In addition to the children’s program, Maggie also provides teacher coaching, professional development, and workshops, and facilitates a Community of Practice called Building Early Childhood Foundations, part of the UWSA/FTF Great Expectations Professional Development Grant. Maggie also taught Child Development and Early Childhood Education classes as adjunct faculty for Pima Community College for 12 years. She has been married to John for 42 years and has two children and two grandsons. In Joining SAZAEYC Board, she hopes to be able to introduce the benefits of membership to many of the teachers in the trenches who do not already belong. |
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VP OF PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY: JON AITKEN
Pronouns-He/Him/His Jon currently works with Learning Care Group overseeing multiple early childhood preschools in Southern Arizona, as well as serving as a board member for the Vail Unified School District. Jon has two goals that he works toward everyday through his professional and personal roles; “to provide a safe, high quality and affordable place for families to bring their children, and to focus on academics and literacy particularly at the preschool and pre-K level”. Jon comes to the SAZAEYC board because he wants to be able to support the ECE community on a bigger platform connecting influential leaders and the ECE community to reach a brighter outcome for the children and families we serve. |
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VP OF COMMUNICATIONS: NICOLE SCOTT
Pronouns-She/Her/Hers Pima County recently hired Nicole Scott as Program Manager to administer the program as part of the Pima County Community and Workforce Development Department. Ms. Scott has 15 years of early childhood education experience, starting as an educator at a national accredited preschool. |
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CO-VP OF NOMINATIONS AND AWARDS: ERIN AGUILAR
Pronouns-She/Her/Hers Erin Aguilar is the Inclusion Specialist and Educator for the Easter Seals Blake Foundation. She coordinates the Inspire Inclusion Community of Practice, part of the UWSA/FTF Great Expectations Professional Development Grant promoting and supporting inclusive practices in early childhood programs. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and is adjunct faculty at Pima Community College. Erin has worked as a Quality First Coach for ESBF and as a preschool teacher in California where she is from. She is passionate about advocating for children with special needs and supporting teachers in creating classrooms that provide the necessary access, participation and support for full inclusion. Erin and her husband have lived in Tucson for 12 years and have one son. Email: CO-VP Nominations & Awards: Erin Aguilar |
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CO-VP OF NOMINATIONS AND AWARDS: RENEE HARTJE
Pronouns-She/Her/Hers Renee has over 20 years of experience in not for profit and Early Childhood. She has worked in closely related programs such as DES Home Recruitment, after school care, infant/toddler care, foster care, teen parent programs and various management positions. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology and currently is the Program Manager for Project “Me Too” at the Easter Seals Blake Foundation. Email: CO-VP Nominations & Awards: Renee Hartje |
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VP OF SERVICES: JORDAN RIVERA
Pronouns-She/Her/Hers Jordan, a new Member at Large, began her path in early childhood at Satori School as a teacher. Currently, Jordan is the Associate Director of Education at the Children's Museum Tucson and continues her work with the early childhood community through classes at the museum. Jordan comes to the SAZAEYC board by nomination from her supervisor for her continued passion for ECE and the early childhood community here in southern Arizona. Jordan plans to work alongside her peers who share her passion for ECE and continue to educate the young minds of today and tomorrow through her work on the SAZAEYC Board. "My goal within this industry is to provide families with experiences and lessons that they will remember and continue implementing down the road" |
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SECRETARY: ELSA PETERSON
Pronouns-She/Her/Hers Elsa began her journey in early childhood education over 17 years ago when her own child was enrolled in Head Start in Nogales Arizona. This experience helped Elsa become a true believer in early childhood education and she quickly became involved as a volunteer as the President of the Parent Committee, and later would result in becoming a part of the Parent Policy Council where she was appointed Vice Chairperson for one year. Over the last 13 years, Elsa worked as a preschool teacher, before moving on to her position at Tohono O’odham Community College. Elsa was able to work with and implement several different preschool curriculums. Elsa has attended NAEYC conferences where she participated in rallies supporting early childhood education. Elsa also serves on the Tohono O’odham’s Nation Regional Partnership Council serving a seat as educator. Elsa is currently the Community of Practice Coordinator at the Tohono O’odham Community College where she assists improving teaching strategies for early childhood educators who serve The Tohono O’odham Nation’s preschools, childcare centers, and Head Starts as part of the UWSA/FTF Great Expectations Professional Development Grant. Email: Elsa Bonilla |
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TREASURER: SILVIA SALCIDO
Pronouns-She/Her/Hers Silvia has been an active leader in early childhood education for over 20 years. Silvia hopes to continue to support teachers, children and families through her work with the SAZAEYC board where she can advocate and stay up to date on the latest news in our field. Silvia hopes to support the SAZAEYC team by being involved in activities planned for educators who are looking for ways to improve the instruction and care they provide to young children, to make a difference in the lives of young children. “I want to be a voice for those who are shy to express their opinion or don’t know how to do it” |
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STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE: JESSICA CROCCO
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MEMBER AT LARGE: MAGGIE CHRISTY
Pronouns-She/Her/Hers Maggie began her work in Early Childhood Education at the young age of 16. After her ECE studies in college she continued her work with children from birth through age 13. Maggie's passion for this work shines in her quote, "the unifying thread in all those ages is that children are valuable people and need to be respected for being valuable, and for being people. The other side of that coin is that we, their teachers, mentors, caregivers, coaches, etc., need to recognize ourselves and our peers as being valuable as well." Below please see Maggie Christy's goals for Early Childhood Education and her role with SAZAEYC. #sazaeyc My goals for the profession of early childhood education include, professional recognition in the community at large, adequate resources to do the job that we know how to do, and the freedom to do that job to the best of our ability. I also believe that part of our job is educating parents about how children learn and the best, research supported ways to help them do so at different times in their lives. While I have been a member of SAZAEYC for years, I had never seriously considered board service until it was brought up by a friend, and upon reflection seemed like a very good way to bring the perspective of the early childhood teacher and the young child to a body in a position to further the goals mentioned above. As a board member, I hope to assist with the board's many projects and help us to always keep in mind, that those projects should be mindfully enhancing the lives and learning of young children. |
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MEMBER AT LARGE: KATIE BINDSCHADLER
Pronouns-She/Her/Hers When asked Katie said "I plan, organize, teach, and provide a safe environment for children to learn and explore. I attend staff meetings, plan curriculum and support colleagues. I work closely with families to build a strong community of learners. " Katie has worked at Canyon View Elementary School, Sunrise Drive Elementary, Green Fields and most recently Tucson Community School. Katie has recently retired to focus more attention on her grandchildren and advocacy for educators in the field. |
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MEMBER AT LARGE: SAS JAKEO SINGER
Pronouns-She/Her/Hers Sas has served as early childhood program specialist with the Arizona Department of Education, as well as an instructor at Glendale Community College's Early Childhood Department, Sas hopes to inspire others in working in the field, especially with dual language learners (DLL). Sas has served on our sister affliate board, AZAEYC and since her move to southern arizona has taken on the role of Training and Curriculum Specialist with the Davis Monthan Air Force base child care center. |
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VOLUNTEER EVENTS CHAIR: AMY MORALES BAUM
Pronouns-She/Her/Hers Amy Morales Baum is an Early Childhood advocate who has worked in the field for over 15 years. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona. Her experience includes working as an elementary school teacher in public, private and international settings, working with the Arizona Early intervention program, serving children and families in the Department of Child Safety as a Rapid Response clinician, and directing a private preschool. Recently she served as the Director at Wings On Words Preschool and led the Tucson Early Childhood Coalition. Now she is serving as the First Things First Pima North Regional Director. Email: amy@sazaeyc.org |
2022 SAZAEYC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Director: Kelly Ann Larkin
Interm President Elect: Stefany Paredes Urias
Past President: Cynnamon Woodberry
VP of Membership: Maggie McKiernan
VP of Public Policy and Awareness: Jon Atiken
VP of Communications: Nicole Scott
Co-VPs of Nominations and Awards: Erin Aguilar and Renee Hartje
VP of Services: Jordan Rivera
Secretary: Elsa Peterson
Treasurer: Silvia Salcido
Student Representatives: Jessica Crocco
Volunteer Events Chair: Amy Morales Baum
Members-At-Large: Katie Bindschalder, Maggie Christy, Sas Jakeo-Singer
Las Familias: Whole Teacher, Whole Child Community of Practice: Sarah Woodworth, Julia Butler, & Kelly Ann Larkin
Interm President Elect: Stefany Paredes Urias
Past President: Cynnamon Woodberry
VP of Membership: Maggie McKiernan
VP of Public Policy and Awareness: Jon Atiken
VP of Communications: Nicole Scott
Co-VPs of Nominations and Awards: Erin Aguilar and Renee Hartje
VP of Services: Jordan Rivera
Secretary: Elsa Peterson
Treasurer: Silvia Salcido
Student Representatives: Jessica Crocco
Volunteer Events Chair: Amy Morales Baum
Members-At-Large: Katie Bindschalder, Maggie Christy, Sas Jakeo-Singer
Las Familias: Whole Teacher, Whole Child Community of Practice: Sarah Woodworth, Julia Butler, & Kelly Ann Larkin
INTERESTED IN BOARD SERVICE?
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Are you interested in running or have someone you would like to nominate for open positions for 2023? If YES, please fill out the SAZAEYC Nomination Form.
We are looking for individuals who want to work with a dedicated group of individuals and support the ECE community, this may be just the place to start! **Nominations will be open through August 29th** Individuals interested and nominated will receive an email or phone call to discuss the next steps of the nomination process. Please reach out to Renee Hartje or Erin Aguilar for more information.
Note: All nominees must be or be able to be current members of NAEYC, click HERE to join! The SAZAEYC board meets monthly on the first Wednesday of the month. The Executive Committee also meets monthly on the last Wednesday of the month. |