Early Education Leaders, an Institute at UMass Boston

06/02/2026

Early childhood leaders and administrators — Early Childhood Investigations Webinars is hosting a free session this Thursday: "Leading Across Generations: Strategies for a Stronger, More Collaborative Team," presented by Dr. Keena R. Mosley, Ed.D., founder of Momentum Leadership Group.

The session runs June 4 from 2–3:30 p.m. EST and is geared toward owners, directors, and anyone leading multigenerational teams. Certificates of attendance are available. Register: https://bit.ly/4vgLbLm

06/01/2026

The power in our collective voices was the theme of the 13th Annual Early Educator Leadership Forum at UMass Boston — and from the very first greeting, offered in multiple languages, it was clear the room would live up to it. Hundreds of early educators, researchers, community partners, policymakers, and advocates came together for a day of educators leading.

Opening the morning plenary, Early Education Leaders Executive Director Dr. Anne Douglass named what so many in the field are carrying right now — the fear, burnout, and pressure of navigating extraordinary uncertainty — and turned it into a call to action: "In this moment — this difficult moment — leadership coming from within the early educator community has never been more important."

And the program bore that out. Five program graduates took the stage to share the Leadership and Change Projects they developed through Early Education Leaders' programs — presenting in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Breakout sessions spanned advocacy, equity, curriculum reform, Pyramid Model implementation, and instructional leadership coaching. And the afternoon panel, moderated by Amy O'Leary of Strategies for Children, explored what it takes to move an educator's voice beyond the classroom and into the rooms where policy gets made.

Nikki Nash MacIsaac, program director at the Greg House Infant Toddler Center in Lynn, said it best: "Just look around! This room is full of amazing people who have the same passion for the littles that I do… I look forward to this every year!"

Learn more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4o2l8VP

05/28/2026

🎓 Today, 27 Early Childhood Fellows crossed the stage at UMass Boston to receive their Bachelor of Arts in early education and care in inclusive settings.

The Early Childhood Fellowship provides full scholarships for early educators — both those already working in the field and those just beginning their careers — to earn a bachelor's degree in early education and care from UMass Boston. The program is designed to build a racially, linguistically, and culturally diverse pipeline of educators ready to lead in Boston's early childhood settings.

Congratulations to the Early Childhood Fellowship Class of 2026:
Yessica Barrous, Shataura Driver, Leolina Rasundar Chinnappa, Emmy Reyes, Bella Tyler, Lismary Andujar, Jonathan Pan, Paulette Serret, Varsha Perkins, Caroline Soboleski, Tionnie Sherrod Bogarty, Martha Burke, Nancy N Cajoux, Sandra Camargo, Sheilla Cezarin Julien, Katherine Elie, Vilesis German, Patricia Gomez Castillo, Addison Krafton, Sara Lopez Garcia, Darling Ortiz, Ramona Ortiz, Delphine Parrilla, Jarrisa Tejeda, Genelys Vargas, Christelle Bastien, and Jenna Redlefsen

We are so proud of each of you. 👏🏽

05/27/2026

Today at UMass Boston commencement, Early Education Leaders celebrated scholars who are shaping the future of early childhood education.

Four doctoral students earned their PhD in Early Education and Care — a milestone representing years of deep commitment to the field and to the children and families at the heart of this work: Christina Bohr, Jessica De Jesus Acevedo, Yiyang Guan, and Surbhi Puri

Six students also completed the Post-Master's Certificate Program in Early Education Research, Policy, and Practice: Celia Araniz, Carrie Jiang, Yanying Liu, Giane O'Connell, Mischel Silva MacLean, and Monica Veiga. 👏🏽

And tomorrow, 27 Early Childhood Fellows will cross the stage to receive their Bachelor of Arts in early education and care in inclusive settings — a powerful testament to their perseverance and dedication.

To every graduate: you are the leaders this field needs. Congratulations! 🎉

05/25/2026

Early Education Leaders pauses today to honor and remember all those who gave their lives in service to our country. Wishing a meaningful day of remembrance to all observing.

05/21/2026

The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued new guidance recommending regular, unstructured recess for children — as its benefits go well beyond physical activity.

Early childhood educators have long known — and practiced — what this guidance is now affirming.

Learn more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4tKHnRm

05/20/2026

05/19/2026

A record 244 early educators, leaders, and advocates gathered at UMass Boston on May 2 for the 13th Annual Early Educator Leadership Forum — the largest turnout in the event's history.
From opening remarks to breakout sessions, panel discussions to hallway conversations, the day was a celebration of the early education community's resilience, expertise, and collective vision. Thank you to every attendee, presenter, panelist, and volunteer who made this year's Forum so extraordinary. Scroll through for a look at the day.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=UMassEarlyEducationLeaders&set=a.1502228648584734

05/18/2026

🎉 Today's the day!

Join Early Education Leaders at UMass Boston for a free virtual info session on the Post-Master's Certificate Program in Early Education Research, Policy, and Practice — happening today from noon–1 p.m. 💻

This 12-credit, two-year program is designed for working professionals and covers ECE policy, leadership, research, and child development. 📚 Courses are offered on Saturdays — half online, half in-person — and all coursework transfers into the ECE PhD program at UMass Boston.

🌟 Fellowship funding opportunities are available for early educators.

There's still time to register at the link: https://forms.gle/j1yi4aBrN1ok7mJq7

📅 Monday, May 18 | 12–1 p.m. | Virtual

Questions? Contact [email protected]