Owner/Director

sunbeamccc@aol.com

        I have been owner/director of Sunbeam Child Care Center LLC (now called Sunbeam Early Learning Center) for over thirty-eight years.  I have a BA in Human Relations/Sociology from Salem University, Salem, WV, and a master’s in strategic leadership from Mountain State University, Beckley, WV.  When Sunbeam Nursery School started in 1980 the term Early Childhood Education was not a term used in the education world.  I have been fortunate to be part of the progress and evolution of Early Childhood Education in West Virginia.  In the 1990’s West Virginia moved forward in leaps and bounds. I became an instructor for Programs like the Apprentice for Child Development Specialist (ACDS). I was a member of the Infant& Toddler Initiative which is now WV Infant /Toddler Program and I was a founding member of West Virginia Stars Training and Registry System. I am a credentialed STARS Trainer. I was invited to be on the WV QRIS Advisory Council. In 1998 Sunbeam was accredited by the National Association for Young Children. (NAEYC) For the next five years I was a NAEYC Validator.

        In 2002 WV DHHR and the State Department of Education established an early care and advisory council called PIECES – Partners Implementing an Early Care and Education System. The council was charged with developing a collaborative plan for pre-school services for four-year old’s. This program is now called WV Pre-K. I was asked to be on the Curriculum and Quality Initiatives Committee. For the last 17 years I have conducted numerous early childhood education workshops in West Virginia.  I was a Fairmont State University Early Childhood Adjunct Faculty Member 2006 –  2012, a Founding Member and President of West Virginia Child Care Centers United 2001-2005, a trainer for Positive Behavior Support, President of West Virginia Association for Young Children 2006-2014, Vice-President West Virginia Association for Young Children 2014 – present.  I had the honor of being featured in Early Childhood Leader’s magazine, “The Exchange” for work as an advocate for West Virginia children. July/August 2005 and I received the 2015 SECA President’s award from the Southern Early Childhood Association. I am looking forward to the future of early childhood education in West Virginia.