The Collin County Chapter of
Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC)
The Collin County Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC) has been part of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) since 1988, serving early childhood professionals and parents and families of young children in Collin and surrounding counties.
Mission
- Provide professional development opportunities and resources for those who work for and with young children.
- Promote excellence in early childhood education for all young children.
- Build public support and understanding for activities and services that promote the healthy development and learning of all young children and their families.
- Collaborate with early childhood professionals; community charities and resources; and area elementary schools, day schools, and home care centers.
- Advocate for the children and families of Collin County, Texas.
History
The Collin County Chapter of TXAEYC (formerly CCAEYC) became a local affiliate of NAEYC in 1988. There were 25 charter members with Sherri Vasinda serving as the organization’s first president. There was a complete board and the mission was to serve early childhood professionals and parents of young children in Collin and surrounding counties.
In 2017, the Collin County Chapter of TXAEYC became a local chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children. That purpose is still honored as the present board strives to work with other agencies and entities, as well as parents, serving young children. Efforts are made to collaborate with other professional organizations and to encourage high quality programming for young children. Efforts are also being made to recruit more professionals as members of this affiliate group.
Opportunities are available for interested persons to become actively involved with the Collin County Chapter of TXAEYC as we promote and support quality programs for young children in this area.
Board
The Collin County Chapter of TXAEYC’s Board of Directors serves to plan, coordinate, and oversee activities and functions of the Chapter. Candidates for the office of President, Treasurer, and Secretary are selected by a nominating committee chaired by an appointee of the current President. Nominees must be members and must have prior TXAEYC committee participation. The Collin County Chapter is seeking committee members and volunteers to serve the Collin County community of early childhood professionals. All early childhood professionals may become committee members and volunteers. The Collin County Chapter of TXAEYC Board shall reflect the diversity of the organization.
The Collin County Chapter of TXAEYC’s Board meets the first Thursday of most months (see Calendar). Members are invited to attend. Please contact any Board member on the Monday before the meeting to RSVP.
PRESIDENT:
Stephanie Wells
Stephanie has been conducting fun and educational early childhood trainings since 1997. She is the Executive Director of Cambridge Academy Preschools and a Texas Rising Star Evaluator/Trainer for Workforce Solutions Texoma. She is a long time member of NAEYC. Stephanie has been in the education field for over 30 years and has received many awards such as Director of the Year, Advocate of the Year and Trainer of the Year.
TREASURER:
Gina Nichols
Gina has worked in the early childhood education field for 29 years. She has taught 3's, 4's and pre-kindergarteners. Gina earned her CDA in 2015 and received her Coach and Mentor Training certification in 2016. She currently serves Director of a Licensed Childcare Center in Plano, TX. Gina has a true passion for the education of young children and has been a long time member of NAEYC. She currently works as trainer and consultant for early childhood educators in Collin County
SECRETARY:
Karen Frank
Karen attended college at Tyler Junior College and McClennan Community College, and has been an in-home child care provider for 33 years, working with a multi-aged group. Karen was a Founder of a Professional HCC (Home Child Care) Association in Central Texas, and has served on several boards and as various conference chairs. She enjoys spending her days helping young children grow and learn. Her greatest loves are her three children and four grandchildren.
AT-LARGE Member & DIRECTORS’ NETWORK Chairperson:
Barbara Batista
Barbara has been working in the field of early childhood education for over 25 years. She has a BS in Human Development and Family Studies from UNT and a MS in Child Development from TWU. She has worked in diverse ECE settings that include onsite employer sponsored care, for profit centers, grant funded programs and lab school settings. Currently, Barbara is the Director at Collin College Child Development Lab School.
AT-LARGE Member & SOCIAL MEDIA Co-Chairperson:
Dr. Felicity Cruz Grandjean
Felicity has worked in the early childhood field for more than 15 years. She has a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Development and Education from TWU. Felicity has experience in teaching in the early childhood classroom and the university classroom, mentoring pre-service and in-service teachers, grant writing, policy writing, and research in the field. She has presented at various local, state, federal, and international early childhood events. Felicity has co-authored an article on storying with technology, with young children and adults.
AT-LARGE Member & SOCIAL MEDIA Co-Chairperson:
Kanna Madero
Kanna spent 10 years as an educator the DFW area. She graduated from the University of Texas-Pan American (now UT-RGV) in 2003 with a specialization in early childhood & ESL education along with a double major in Sociology. She is currently a stay-at-home mother to a young boy.
AT-LARGE Member & EVENTS Chairperson:
Dr. Ann J. Martin
Ann has spent more than 30 years studying children, their development, their care, and their education. She holds a master’s degree in Human Behavior and Development and a doctorate in Early Childhood Education and Administration. Ann has taught preschool, kindergarten and on the university level. She has been the director of both a private child care facility and a college lab school. The program that she developed has been adopted by all 21 community colleges in New Jersey. She currently works as trainer and consultant for early childhood educators in Collin County.
ACCREDITATION Chairperson:
Pride Mersbach
Pride has been actively involved in the field of education for over 20 years as a teacher and administrator in the state of Texas. She currently serves as the Director of the Children’s Weekday Program at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas.
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