Northern Illinois Region
DuPage County AEYC Nominee - ALICE GIORDANO
Trying to calculate the number of children, families and early childhood professionals who have been touched by Alice's dedication to the field of early childhood education is impossible. Several members of the DuPage AEYC board count themselves lucky to be able to trace their beginnings in the field or their work with our affiliate back to Alice. Through her work as an instructor at the College of DuPage and her efforts on behalf of DuPage AEYC, Alice has been a model of professionalism. Her tireless efforts to support and encourage her students and colleagues are inspirational. Erin Cetera, a current board member and former student of Alice’s, summed it up perfectly when she said, “When I become ‘tired’ of the work or the meetings, I only have to remember that Alice is still doing it and I know that the work is important and we have to stay in it.” Her contributions deserve recognition and respect--her ongoing support of professional development opportunities for teachers; her continuing belief that all children matter; and the fact that she never seems to tire, physically or emotionally, of working to benefit the field of early childhood education make her a true Children's Champion.
South Suburban AEYC Nominee - LINDA DAVIS
Linda has been a member of the South Suburban Association for the Education of Young Children for 20 years. She has held many board positions over the years, including President and Co-President. Several years ago, she single handedly took on the task of our affiliate re-organization and was the glue that held our organization together. Her many hours of volunteer time resulted in a wonderful conference for south suburban educators. She has been the editor of our informative quarterly newsletter for fifteen years. Although she is now retired, Linda continues to support our organization with her time, effort, and dedication. This year she is chairing the committee for the Week of the Young Child which will feature the art of children attending many early childhood programs displayed at public places throughout the South Suburbs. She also represented us as we collaborated with several local organizations to host an early childhood conference at St. Xavier University in March, 2010.
Southern Illinois Region
Southern Illinois AEYC Nominee - DIANE KING
Diane King has long been a champion of young children in Southern Illinois for over 30 years. Her career and advocacy efforts on behalf of young children include a variety of experiences: ISBE prek through third grade teacher, family child care provider, volunteer, committee member, and leadership positions in a number of local, regional, state, and national organizations, including Head Start and the Illinois Association of School Boards. In addition to NAEYC, she is a member of the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators and the American Community College Early Childhood Education Association. She has served on the SIAEYC board in a number of positions, including vice president, president elect, finance chair, nominations chair, and in her current position of president. She also has worked as a conference chair and co-chair and on projects involving Week of the Young Child to enhance the professional development of Southern Illinois AEYC members and to help educate the public about the importance of the early childhood years and the value of the early childhood professions. Her development of the directors’ group Professionals in Partnership (PIPs) has been instrumental in bringing administrators of early care and education programs together working in new and creative ways to collaborate and improve programs for young children. In addition, she has worked to develop new college courses for administrators and, through her work with Southeastern Illinois College, has developed the state’s first online associate’s degree program, improving access for practitioners in rural areas. Diane is an ILAEYC SAM Mentor and has worked directly with over 20 programs in the southern 15 counties, seven of which have achieved NAEYC Accreditation since 2003. She served as a Great Expectations Prek Curriculum Coach and worked with teachers and administrators in several regional Prek programs. Diane is an Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Professional Development Advisor and has mentored and encouraged many directors, teachers and family child care providers who are pursuing educational and career goals. She is a member of the Illinois Professional Development Advisory Council. Early care and education practitioners throughout the region know Diane from her trainings and appreciate her for her advocacy work on behalf of young children.
Central East Region
Spirit of Illinois AEYC Nominee - MARY NAN ZIMMER
The young children in east central Illinois have been very fortunate to have a friend in Mary Nan Zimmer. Mary Nan had dedicated her career to bringing quality programs and services to young children and their families. As a founding member of the Spirit of Illinois AEYC affiliate she has continually promoted the quality standards set by NAEYC for young children. Mary Nan has served on the Executive Board for the Spirit of Illinois AEYC affiliate for several years and has been active in implementing the Festival of the Young Child, the Early Childhood Conference and the annual Early Childhood Recognition Event. She has also served as a delegate to the Illinois AEYC Board. Mary Nan will soon be retiring from her position as principal of Eastern Illinois Area Special Education’s Early Childhood Programs. Prior to her work there she worked with At-Risk Pre-K programs at the special education Co-op in the Rantoul area. She has not only worked to bring quality services in her early childhood programs but to all programs through strong collaborations and team work. Thank you Mary Nan for all you have done for young children in East Central Illinois!
Capitol Area AEYC Nominee - JUDITH K. FLANDERS
Capitol Area AEYC is proud to nominate Judith K. Flanders as our Children’s Champion. Judy’s influence in the early childhood field is widespread. Throughout her career she has advocated for the inclusion of all children in high quality early childhood environments. She has successfully guided programs through the NAEYC accreditation process under her leadership. She has instilled in her student’s at the college level a strong foundation in the principles of child development and provided guidance to them as they moved to their career. She has been a leader and mentor for those in CAAEYC serving in a variety of capacity including president. Thank you, Judy, for all you do for children, families and other early childhood professionals!
East Central AEYC Nominee - NANCY MORSE
After getting an MA in Child Development from the University of Illinois in 1967, Nancy Morse began teaching at Parkland College in Champaign, IL. Nancy retired in 1997 after having taught a wide range of classes in Child Development and early childhood education. Nancy developed courses and programs including Managing a Family Child Care Home and seven one hour courses providing a general knowledge of the field and a 3 hour practicum for the Child Development Associate preparation program. Nancy is the co-founder of ACCESS, a state-wide group of community college child development/early childhood education faculty. She was also a CDA Advisor for Child Development Associate candidates: currently a CDA Representative doing local assessments of candidates. Nancy helped develop the state-wide Continuing Education Unit (CEU) system for Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, having administered the system since its inception in 1998. Nancy has been active in ECIAEYC where she has held a variety of board positions and provided leadership of many Young Learner conferences held at Parkland College. We are proud to honor Nancy Morse as a Children’s Champion for her dedication to young children.
Central West Region
Quad Cities AEYC Nominee - MARTHA OWENS
Martha has been an advocate for children for over 30 years. As a leader in the field of early childhood she has touched the lives of many children. As a center director and Head Start administrator Martha acted as a role model and mentor for other early childhood professionals. She is also a community leader serving for many years on the Quad Cities AEYC board. Martha was a founding member and is the current President of the Early Childhood Coalition of the Illinois Quad City area. In her current position as an assessor Martha is impacting the quality of programming throughout the state of Illinois.
McLean County AEYC Nominee - MAUREEN SOLLARS
Maureen is the Coordinator of All Our Kids: Early Childhood Network, at the McLean County Health Department. All Our Kids Early Childhood Network is a collaborative effort between the Illinois Department of Human Services, McLean County Health Department, area families, and local agencies. The program works in the community to assure that all children under age 3 and their families have access to services for total wellness. Not only does Maureen manage a very busy daily schedule, she is the one person we look to for links to trainings, and family events. She can toss emails of information to her large email connections like they were necklaces at Mardi Gras. We love her as an invaluable resource. Through AOK, Maureen holds Parent Cafes regularly. Parents come to get and give support on parenting, their children are under capable, watchful eyes, and dinner is served. Whether families need assistance for medical, dental, social-emotional, or mental health issues, Maureen has something to offer. Maureen is tireless as our Illinois AEYC liaison, and MCAEYC Past President. With Maureen involved in MCAEYC, and at the Health Department, we know the ECE teachers, families, and children will benefit from developmentally appropriate training and education.
Chicago Region
Chicago Metropolitan AEYC Nominee - MARK MCHUGH
Mark has been an advocate of children and families for more than 25 years and although his leadership roles may be typical of other leaders in our field, Mark’s skills and approach are unique and visionary. Mark’s foundation in social services, administration and early childhood have been instrumental in moving our field and AEYC system in Illinois in new and stronger directions. Mark is a strong proponent for community based services. Over the years in his executive director and board positions, Mark has influenced cultural shifts and organizational changes to institute more family and community centered approaches as well as infuse sound business practices to sustain these shifts over time. Although, for some, this is not a new idea, it is his ability to lead change and make it happen that has been so very valuable to colleagues and organizations throughout our state. He truly is an advocate of children and families first. Mark first came to AEYC as a favor to his boss who couldn’t attend a public policy committee meeting for Chicago Metro AEYC. He attended that first meeting 23 years ago. Mark’s passion and dedication to children and families kept him coming back. He was hooked. Since that time Mark has served in numerous roles for AEYC locally and nationally including President of Chicago Metro AEYC from 2005-2008 and today as Affiliate Council Representative. We are grateful to be the beneficiaries of his analytical, financial and organizational skills; his kind heart, and his tenacity to push back and advocate on behalf of children and families when the stakes are high. He continues to influence colleagues around the state and all of us. It is for these reasons we nominate Mark McHugh for the honor of Children’s Champion.