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X WHY Z Podcast: Small Beginnings, Big Impact

Featuring Erika Vidal. Erika Vidal is a DIEEC quality improvement specialist and former family child care owner and educator based out of Bear, Delaware. With nearly two decades of experience, Erika is always eager to share her valuable insights on how small actions can lead to a big impact in the early childhood education field.

X WHY Z Podcast: Making Connections

Featuring Yvette Sanchez Fuentes. Yvette Sanchez Fuentes currently serves as the vice president of national policy at Start Early and previously held the position of associate secretary with the Delaware Department of Education. She’s done extensive work in the field including former positions as deputy chief for policy and research at Child Care Aware of … Read more

X WHY Z Podcast: Lead with Your Heart Part 1 & 2

Formerly an esteemed principal of Stubbs Early Learning Center in Wilmington, Delaware, Dr. Whitney Williams brings years of experience and unwavering dedication to the field of early childhood education. Her commitment to nurturing and educating our youngest learners shone through in her work. Our hosts had such an engaging conversation with Dr. Williams that it … Read more

X WHY Z Podcast: Protecting Early Childhood

Featuring Alison Keough, DIEEC Quality Improvement Specialist. In this episode, our hosts Irene Ashe and Meghan Pallante talked with Alison Keough, quality improvement specialist at the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood. With extensive experience spanning various states in the United States, Alison brings a wealth of knowledge from her years in the field … Read more

X WHY Z Podcast: The Wellbeing of Educators

Featuring Dr. Laura Lessard and Stephen McLaren, MS, NBC-HWC. Hosts Irene and Meghan chat with Dr. Laura Lessard, Associate Professor at the University of Delaware, and Stephen McLaren, a Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, about the unique challenges and strategies for educator wellbeing.

X WHY Z Podcast: Find Your People

Featuring Toni Dickerson, Lisa E. Ratliff, Sherri Mark, and Shannon Mercer. In this episode, we explore the journey of a group of early childhood administrators who formed a resilient community of practice (COP) during the pandemic and have continued to meet regularly. As they navigate the ongoing workforce crisis together, the group shares the importance … Read more

X WHY Z Podcast: Workforce Collaboration

With guests Dr. Rena Hallam, interim dean of the University of Delaware’s College of Education & Human Development and professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, and Dr. Chrishana M. Lloyd, Research Scholar at Child Trends. We explore how the National Early Care and Education Workforce Center collaborates with a variety of … Read more

X WHY Z Podcast: It Starts with You

In this episode, “It Starts With You,”we explore the topic of self-care and resilience. With special guest Dr. Nefertiti Poyner from the Devereux Center for Resilient Children, we delve into the crucial role of adults as anchors for children’s attachment and resilience.