Professor Debra Pierce
Debra Pierce is a recently retired professor of Early Childhood Education, having taught at a large, community college in Indiana for over 20 years. Her professional background has always involved children. She began her career as a primary grades teacher in the Chicago Public School system, was a teacher of 3 and 4 year-olds in a NAEYC accredited preschool for 15 years, and a certified Parent Educator for the National Parents as Teachers Program. She is also a Higher Education Faculty and course developer for Child Care Aware of America and CDA course developer for the State of South Dakota. Debra is a certified trainer for several states, including New Jersey and Minnesota.
Debra has taught CDA courses to high school career/tech dual credit juniors and seniors in preparation for earning their CDA credentials. She is a frequent presenter at national and state early childhood conferences. She received a commendation for her creative use of the Starting Small anti-bias curriculum with her college students from the Southern Poverty Law Center. Debra has also been a college student mentor for the Pass the Torch for Women Foundation.
Mrs. Pierce is a featured blogger on the BAM! Radio Network and records podcasts frequently on this network with other early childhood professionals, including Rhian Evans Allvin, former CEO of NAEYC She was also awarded the NISOD Teaching Excellence Award by the University of Texas.
Debra is active in her community, supporting children's literacy and is on the board of directors of First Book in Indianapolis. Debra is a contributing author for Hamilton County Family Magazine and Indy's Child.
Debra has spent the last 22 years dedicated to the success of those pursuing the CDA credential and is the author of The CDA Prep Guide: The Complete Review Manual for the Child Development Associate Credential, now in its 4th edition (Redleaf Press), the only publication of its kind. She has a close relationship with the Council for Professional Recognition (the CDA Council), as a CDA Professional Development Specialist, a CDA Council Gold Standard Training Reviewer, and a CDA Council Alumni Network Ambassador for the Midwest states. She was recently nominated by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences for a Bammy Award for Professor of the Year and was named as One of the Nation's Top Educators to Watch.
Debra lives with her husband north of Indianapolis with their two rescue dogs, Sierra and Kelly. She is the mother of 3 sons and has 2 grandsons.
Debra has taught CDA courses to high school career/tech dual credit juniors and seniors in preparation for earning their CDA credentials. She is a frequent presenter at national and state early childhood conferences. She received a commendation for her creative use of the Starting Small anti-bias curriculum with her college students from the Southern Poverty Law Center. Debra has also been a college student mentor for the Pass the Torch for Women Foundation.
Mrs. Pierce is a featured blogger on the BAM! Radio Network and records podcasts frequently on this network with other early childhood professionals, including Rhian Evans Allvin, former CEO of NAEYC She was also awarded the NISOD Teaching Excellence Award by the University of Texas.
Debra is active in her community, supporting children's literacy and is on the board of directors of First Book in Indianapolis. Debra is a contributing author for Hamilton County Family Magazine and Indy's Child.
Debra has spent the last 22 years dedicated to the success of those pursuing the CDA credential and is the author of The CDA Prep Guide: The Complete Review Manual for the Child Development Associate Credential, now in its 4th edition (Redleaf Press), the only publication of its kind. She has a close relationship with the Council for Professional Recognition (the CDA Council), as a CDA Professional Development Specialist, a CDA Council Gold Standard Training Reviewer, and a CDA Council Alumni Network Ambassador for the Midwest states. She was recently nominated by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences for a Bammy Award for Professor of the Year and was named as One of the Nation's Top Educators to Watch.
Debra lives with her husband north of Indianapolis with their two rescue dogs, Sierra and Kelly. She is the mother of 3 sons and has 2 grandsons.
Professor Patricia Dickmann
Patti Dickmann is a recently retired associate professor of Early Childhood Education, having taught close to 30 years in a large, community college in Indiana. Her love of young children started from an early age... from cadet teaching and babysitting as a teenager to volunteering with the Head Start program during college. Patti has over 43 years of experience working with young children, from birth through Kindergarten, as a teacher in childcare centers and as a center director. She received her master's degree from Purdue University.
Patti was the director of the Lab School at a community college in Indianapolis. She worked with a local school system in the Indianapolis area to establish a preschool for Spanish speaking children, who would eventually transition into the public school system. As an Early Childhood faculty, she placed students from the College in that school for their student teaching experiences. Patti was instrumental in developing course curriculum for the college Early Childhood Education program, as well as teaching Associate degree and CDA courses, both face-to-face and in online formats, for nearly 30 years.
Patti is a certified Professional Development Specialist for the Council for Professional Recognition. In her spare time, she is an avid quilter and gardener. Patti has one son, Max, a bulldog, and two Shar Pei puppies.
Patti was the director of the Lab School at a community college in Indianapolis. She worked with a local school system in the Indianapolis area to establish a preschool for Spanish speaking children, who would eventually transition into the public school system. As an Early Childhood faculty, she placed students from the College in that school for their student teaching experiences. Patti was instrumental in developing course curriculum for the college Early Childhood Education program, as well as teaching Associate degree and CDA courses, both face-to-face and in online formats, for nearly 30 years.
Patti is a certified Professional Development Specialist for the Council for Professional Recognition. In her spare time, she is an avid quilter and gardener. Patti has one son, Max, a bulldog, and two Shar Pei puppies.
Elisa Schleig
Elisa Schleig is the Education Manager for SCCAA Head Start in Canton Ohio. Besides being a manager, Elisa is a PD Specialist and CAN ambassador for the Council for Professional Development. Elisa graduated from Kent State with her Associates, University of Akron with her Bachelor’s, and Malone University with her Masters in Early Childhood Education. Elisa has lived in 6 states (New York City, Hawaii, California, Florida, Tennessee and Ohio).
She sits on the advisory board for the NE Ohio March of Dimes, Development Committee for Gi Gi’s Playhouse, Communication Chair for Kent State alumni board, the advisory board for RG Drage ECE, and the Board of Directors College Club of Canton.
Elisa has worked in ECE for 38 years and worked at state funded, private and non- profit, school districts, and federally funded programs. She has worked in a variety of positions such as Director, Trainer, Project Manager and Adjunct. She has been married to husband Shawn for 35 years and has four adult children and two grandbabies. All her children are adopted from different countries and are known as the Schleig Nations!
She sits on the advisory board for the NE Ohio March of Dimes, Development Committee for Gi Gi’s Playhouse, Communication Chair for Kent State alumni board, the advisory board for RG Drage ECE, and the Board of Directors College Club of Canton.
Elisa has worked in ECE for 38 years and worked at state funded, private and non- profit, school districts, and federally funded programs. She has worked in a variety of positions such as Director, Trainer, Project Manager and Adjunct. She has been married to husband Shawn for 35 years and has four adult children and two grandbabies. All her children are adopted from different countries and are known as the Schleig Nations!
Professor Nancy Moretti
Nancy Moretti is an early childhood educator and higher education faculty member with over 30 years of experience. She has served as an early childhood professor, CDA course developer, center director, and executive administrator. Nancy holds an Education Specialist degree in Early Childhood Education and two graduate degrees focused on administration and leadership.
In addition to her faculty roles, Nancy has held two Associate Dean positions, where she oversaw student services, curriculum development, and accreditation initiatives. She has also chaired academic departments and played key roles in student success, faculty development, and instructional design. She is deeply committed to developmentally appropriate practice, family engagement, and inclusive leadership. Nancy lives in Rhode Island and is passionate about supporting students and early childhood professionals in achieving their goals.
Jamie Jenny Guzmán, MS OEL, CCHW, NFPC
In addition to her faculty roles, Nancy has held two Associate Dean positions, where she oversaw student services, curriculum development, and accreditation initiatives. She has also chaired academic departments and played key roles in student success, faculty development, and instructional design. She is deeply committed to developmentally appropriate practice, family engagement, and inclusive leadership. Nancy lives in Rhode Island and is passionate about supporting students and early childhood professionals in achieving their goals.
Jamie Jenny Guzmán, MS OEL, CCHW, NFPC
Jamie Jenny Guzmán is the Director of Program Operations in Service Delivery Area III at Grow Early Learning, also known as the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project (ECMHSP). In this leadership role, she oversees the Head Start Administrators across the Alabama, Indiana, and Ohio regions, encompassing 11 centers in five states—Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Indiana, and Oklahoma.
Jenny leads the day-to-day program operations in her service area, focusing on meeting funded enrollment goals and fulfilling non-federal share obligations. Her work is instrumental in coordinating services across departments, particularly in collaboration with the facilities and transportation teams, to ensure the seamless and timely delivery of comprehensive services to children and families.
Jenny also plays a pivotal role in fostering collaborative partnerships with community organizations, state licensing agencies, and public officials, advancing the continuity and quality of services throughout the region.
With 37 years of experience in early childhood education and family services, Jenny brings a deep well of knowledge and leadership to her role. Her professional background includes various positions within ECMHSP, and other nonprofit Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
Her academic credentials reflect her lifelong commitment to service and learning: she holds a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services with a Connection in Addiction Studies from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and a Master of Science in Organizational Effectiveness in Leadership with a Connection in Nonprofit Management from Charter Oak State College. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Jamie Jenny Guzmán is an invaluable asset to the Grow Early Learning team. Her leadership ensures the consistent delivery of high-quality services while cultivating strong, sustainable partnerships that support the success and well-being of the children and families we serve. Her dedication, experience, and vision continue to profoundly impact the organization and the communities under her care.
Karen Darby
Jenny leads the day-to-day program operations in her service area, focusing on meeting funded enrollment goals and fulfilling non-federal share obligations. Her work is instrumental in coordinating services across departments, particularly in collaboration with the facilities and transportation teams, to ensure the seamless and timely delivery of comprehensive services to children and families.
Jenny also plays a pivotal role in fostering collaborative partnerships with community organizations, state licensing agencies, and public officials, advancing the continuity and quality of services throughout the region.
With 37 years of experience in early childhood education and family services, Jenny brings a deep well of knowledge and leadership to her role. Her professional background includes various positions within ECMHSP, and other nonprofit Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
Her academic credentials reflect her lifelong commitment to service and learning: she holds a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services with a Connection in Addiction Studies from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and a Master of Science in Organizational Effectiveness in Leadership with a Connection in Nonprofit Management from Charter Oak State College. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Jamie Jenny Guzmán is an invaluable asset to the Grow Early Learning team. Her leadership ensures the consistent delivery of high-quality services while cultivating strong, sustainable partnerships that support the success and well-being of the children and families we serve. Her dedication, experience, and vision continue to profoundly impact the organization and the communities under her care.
Karen Darby
Karen Darby is the Director of Elift (Early Learning Instruction for Teachers) at Southwestern Child Development Commission, Inc. Karen graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education, and the University of North Carolina with a Master's in Liberal Studies. Karen is currently completing her Doctorate at Queens.
Karen is a CAN Ambassador for the Council for Professional Recognition. She is also an elected member of the IACET Standards Development Council and the chairperson for the IACET Early Education Advisory Committee.
Karen has worked in ECE for 32 years in multiple roles such as early care and education teacher, administrator, Child Care Resource and Referral, non-profit, and federally funded organizations. Karen married her husband, Jeff on 2-22-22 and in her spare time, Karen is an aqua fitness instructor and loves to be outdoors and active. Karen and Jeff have a Shih-Tzu named Simon and Jeff's four adult children.
Karen has a passion for professional development and high-quality early care and education and has dedicated her career to creating and offering professional development in multiple modalities.
Jill Harrison
Jill Harrison is a seasoned early childhood education professional with over a decade of leadership experience in nonprofit and childcare program administration. With a deep-rooted commitment to ensuring high-quality, developmentally appropriate care for young children, Jill brings a wealth of expertise in program development, regulatory compliance, professional development, and family engagement.
Currently serving as a Program Engagement Specialist & Program Resource Navigator with Building Blocks (Child Care Resource & Referral Network) in Evansville, Indiana, Jill has supported early childhood programs across the region since 2022. In this role, she provides professional development and technical assistance aligned with Indiana’s licensing standards, and guides both new and existing providers in establishing and sustaining licensed operations. She also facilitates peer networks that foster collaboration, professional growth, and sustainable best practices among family child care providers.
Previously, Jill held prominent leadership positions in preschool administration, most notably as Preschool Director at Promiseland Preschool in Jasper, Indiana (2015–2022), where she successfully led the program through NAEYC Accreditation and maintained Paths to QUALITY Level 4—Indiana’s highest quality rating for early education programs. Her responsibilities included directing programs for children ages 3–5, leading a team of educators and volunteers, managing curriculum and compliance, and overseeing fiscal operations.
From 2012 to 2015, she served as Preschool Director at the YMCA Emma Allen Child Development Center in Vincennes, Indiana, where she oversaw comprehensive childcare services for infants through age five and maintained Paths to QUALITY Level 3.
Jill holds a Master of Arts in Education, with a concentration in Early Childhood Education, from Ball State University, where she graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA and received the Dean’s Citation for Academic Excellence. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, graduating summa cum laude, and holds a Certification in Early Childhood Program Administration from Ball State. Her academic achievements include membership in the Kappa Gamma Pi National Catholic Honor Society and multiple recognitions on the SMWC Great Honors List.
Driven by a passion for quality, equity, and leadership in early childhood systems, Jill blends strategic insight with hands-on experience to empower educators, elevate program standards, and support families in diverse communities.
Outside of her professional work, Jill finds joy in her family. She has been married to her husband, John, since 2009. Together, they have a blended family of five adult children and are proud grandparents to three grandsons, ranging in age from 5 months to 16 years. Her personal experiences as a parent and grandparent continually inspire her dedication to advancing high-quality early care and education.
Currently serving as a Program Engagement Specialist & Program Resource Navigator with Building Blocks (Child Care Resource & Referral Network) in Evansville, Indiana, Jill has supported early childhood programs across the region since 2022. In this role, she provides professional development and technical assistance aligned with Indiana’s licensing standards, and guides both new and existing providers in establishing and sustaining licensed operations. She also facilitates peer networks that foster collaboration, professional growth, and sustainable best practices among family child care providers.
Previously, Jill held prominent leadership positions in preschool administration, most notably as Preschool Director at Promiseland Preschool in Jasper, Indiana (2015–2022), where she successfully led the program through NAEYC Accreditation and maintained Paths to QUALITY Level 4—Indiana’s highest quality rating for early education programs. Her responsibilities included directing programs for children ages 3–5, leading a team of educators and volunteers, managing curriculum and compliance, and overseeing fiscal operations.
From 2012 to 2015, she served as Preschool Director at the YMCA Emma Allen Child Development Center in Vincennes, Indiana, where she oversaw comprehensive childcare services for infants through age five and maintained Paths to QUALITY Level 3.
Jill holds a Master of Arts in Education, with a concentration in Early Childhood Education, from Ball State University, where she graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA and received the Dean’s Citation for Academic Excellence. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, graduating summa cum laude, and holds a Certification in Early Childhood Program Administration from Ball State. Her academic achievements include membership in the Kappa Gamma Pi National Catholic Honor Society and multiple recognitions on the SMWC Great Honors List.
Driven by a passion for quality, equity, and leadership in early childhood systems, Jill blends strategic insight with hands-on experience to empower educators, elevate program standards, and support families in diverse communities.
Outside of her professional work, Jill finds joy in her family. She has been married to her husband, John, since 2009. Together, they have a blended family of five adult children and are proud grandparents to three grandsons, ranging in age from 5 months to 16 years. Her personal experiences as a parent and grandparent continually inspire her dedication to advancing high-quality early care and education.