By: Amy Meade, Director, Center for Early Learning at Groundwork Ohio
Groundwork Ohio is thrilled to announce the 2023 Class of the Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship, a network of early childhood professionals throughout the state who will spend the next year receiving training and support to enhance their leadership skills and advocacy outreach.
The Fellowship brings together a diverse group of next-generation leaders who are changing the face of early childhood policy and advocacy. It is a place for cross-sector collaboration, peer networking, professional development, and authentic discussion of topics and issues related to the early childhood community.
For the past four years, Groundwork Ohio has created a network of professionals working with young children and families to build community, deepen professional networks, and bring important perspectives and experiences to early childhood policy and advocacy. Amplifying diverse voices of early childhood professionals leads to better policies for young children and their families.
This year’s class includes passionate early childhood professionals from in-home and center-based providers, home visitors, child development specialists, child welfare professionals, early childhood mental health providers, preschool educators, maternal, infant, and early childhood health professionals, and higher education professionals. The class will meet in a series of virtual and in-person conversations throughout the year.
Class of 2023 Fellows
Sherrie Bair, Dayton Public Schools, Dayton
William Christmas, M.Ed., Richmond Heights Local School District, Cleveland
Ben Corll, Lepper Library, Columbiana
Ashley Funni, Willard Child Development Center, Norwalk
Mandi Grimes, Starting Point, Berea
Nitoriya Goff, Childcare Owner & Provider, Columbus
James Goodloe, Say Yes Cleveland, Cleveland
Crystal Ann Hall, Bright Beginnings Help Me Grow, Cleveland
Erin Head, Little Stars Preschool, Cincinnati
Debora Held, All-Star Academy Learning Centers, Columbus
Eugene Norris, ABC Christian Preschool, Columbus
Stephanie Parsons, YWCA Child Care Resource & Referral, Berkey
Jasmine Price, Starting Point, Cleveland
Amanda Rodriguez, Willard Child Development Center, Willard
Taylor Romero, Toddler Town Preschool & Daycare, Vandalia
Latasha N. Spencer, Tee Tee’s Tots, Columbus
Sam Schneider, Public Library of Youngstown, and Mahoning County, Youngstown
Audrey Terese, Youthland Academy, Dayton
Dr. Andrea Weisberger, The Buckeye Ranch, Reynoldsburg
Andrea Weis, Willard Child Development Center, Norwalk
Paula Y. Young, The Ohio State University Child Care Program, Canal Winchester
We’re excited to be working with such a passionate group of early childhood experts and professionals who are shaping the foundation of our State’s youngest. These Fellows are already leaders in their fields and bring a broad range of experience, skills, and perspectives to their commitment to ensuring infants and toddlers have a strong start in life. It’s our honor to get to know them over the next 12 months.
More information about the Fellowship can be found here.