2010 Illinois AEYC Election of Officers – Candidate Information
Candidate for State Treasurer: BRENDA WARDZALA
A member of NAEYC for 20 years, Brenda Wardzala has been active at both the local and state levels. Since joining the DuPage AEYC board in 2000, Brenda has had the opportunity to serve in many capacities including President. For the past two years, Brenda has served on the Illinois AEYC board as treasurer. Professionally, Brenda has been in the early childhood field her entire career. She has worked both directly with young children as well the adults in their lives in a variety of settings including Head Start and community-based child care. As an early childhood consultant, Brenda has assisted several programs with the NAEYC accreditation process and has presented at local conferences. Currently, Brenda works as a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher in a community-based classroom in Berwyn. Brenda is unopposed for this position.
Candidate for Chicago Metropolitan Vice President: DEBRAH CLARK
Debrah Clark, M.A., CFLE, has over 12 years experience serving the needs of families, children, social service practitioners and administrators. During her tenure with Joliet Township High School, the Infant Childcare Program was awarded the Children’s Champion Award through Voices for Illinois Children and National City Bank and an award for Child Abuse Prevention from the Department of Children and Family Services and Prevent Child Abuse Illinois. Her efforts to keep the Joliet Township Infant Childcare Center relevant and based in best practices have earned the program a 77% graduation rate of the teen parents. Mrs. Clark has presented locally and nationally about teenage parenting, infant grief, communication skills and law based education for youth. She looks forward to all opportunities to facilitate learning for both her and all with whom she comes into contact. Debrah is unopposed for this position.
Candidate for Northern Region Vice President: JENNIFER BROSNAHAN
Jennifer Brosnahan has been working with children for 15 years and has celebrated her Group Child Care Home’s, Stepping Stones Home Child Care, first anniversary this year! She is currently working towards two AAS, one in Business and the other in Child Development. Jennifer is active in Joliet Area Association for the Education of Young Children currently serving as President and Conference Chair, previously served as Newsletter Chair and Delegate. She is involved in the Member & Public Relations Committee for Illinois AEYC. She has served on the Bargaining Committee with SEIUHCII for the current Child Care Assistance Program contract and was Will County Childcare Association’s Political Advocate for two terms. Jennifer and her husband live in Joliet and have two young children.
Jennifer is unopposed for this position.
Candidate for Central West Region Vice President: BRENDA SMITH
Hello and Thank-You for this opportunity to tell you a little about myself. I have been a member of Heart of Illinois AEYC (Peoria Area) since 1993 and currently serve as President. I have had the privilege of watching this affiliate grow and become involved with many facets of our local community from social service partnering to community fundraisers! My full-time position is the Director of the Illinois Central College Child Care Connection Resource and Referral service. I have been with Child Care Connection just a little over 17 years. I graduated from a small college in Iowa with a Bachelor’sdegree in Elementary Education and then went onto the University of Illinois and completed a Master’s degree in Human Resource Education: Community College Teaching and Learning. I have been an adjunct faculty member in the Social Sciences Department (Child Development) with ICC since 1995. I reside in Washington, Illinois with my husband of 14 years and our 8th grade daughter Emma and three year old miniature dachshund, Oscar. I am always proud to be a member of this dynamic association with local, state and national ties to quality care and education!
Brenda is unopposed for this position.
Candidate for Central East Region Vice President – one year seat: DIANA SHIPLEY
Diana has been in the early childhood field for over twenty years. During the past twenty years I have been teaching early childhood classes at several community colleges: Richland Community College, Danville Area Community College, and Lincoln Land Community College. A year ago I left a fifteen year position as the Macon County Liaison for the Child Care Resource Service, University of Illinois, Urbana. I have become an INCCRRA trainer for several workshops and recently became a PDA and CDA advisor. My time with the Illinois AEYC has helped me in the field of early childhood in remaining current with the issues and continues to bring professionalism to the field. But the most important part has been in keeping a focus on excellence and quality for our young children in any setting in the early childhood field. Diana is unopposed for this position.
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