2023 MsECA Candidates for Election.

1. PRESIDENT-ELECT
MEET THECANDIDATE FOR...
TUNGA OTIS
I F E L E C T E D , I W I L L C O N T I N U E T O R O L L U P M Y
S L E E V E S A N D D E D I C A T E M Y T I M E A N D E N E R G Y
T O T H E G R O W T H A N D O U T R E A C H O F T H I S
O R G A N I Z A T I O N . T O T H A T E N D , I H U M B L Y A S K
F O R Y O U R V O T E F O R T H E P R E S I D E N C Y O F T H E
M I S S I S S I P P I E A R L Y C H I L D H O O D A S S O C I A T I O N .
ABOUT ME
TUNGA OTIS IS AN EDUCATOR WITH
OVER 25 YEARS OF WORK
EXPERIENCE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE
CLASSROOM. SHE HAS TAUGHT
PRESCHOOL, K-12, POST-SECONDARY,
AND ADULT LEARNERS. ADDITIONALLY,
SHE HAS DEVELOPED AND
CONDUCTED NUMEROUS
PROGRAMS, EVENTS, AND
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTS FOR
YOUNG CHILDREN, EARLY
CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS,
YOUNG CHILDREN, AND THEIR
FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE
OF MISSISSIPPI.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER
OF MSECA? 5 YEARS
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED IN THE
EARLY CHILDHOOD FIELD? OVER 20
YEARS
WHAT POSITIONS HAVE YOU WORKED IN
THE EARLY CHILDHOOD FIELD? PREK- 3
CLASSROOM TEACHER, CHILDCARE
DIRECTOR, ECE COLLEGE INSTRUCTOR,
CDA SPECIALIST, FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
SPECIALIST, AND SCHOOL DATA COACH
WHAT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE YOU
WORKED FOR IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD
FIELD (OPTIONAL)? RUST COLLEGE,
UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS, MS BUILDING
BLOCKS, MS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD,
BE STRONG FAMILIES, AND AMPLIFY
EDUCATION
QUESTIONS
Alone we can do a little, together we can do so much.
Helen Keller

2. MEET THE
MEET THE
CANDIDATE FOR...
CANDIDATE FOR...
PRESIDENT-ELECT
PRESIDENT-ELECT
ABOUT ME:
Dr. Patti Permenter has spent a lifetime working in the early education field. Currently, she is an
assistant professor for William Carey University School of Education at Tradition. In addition to
teaching at Carey, Dr. Permenter is one of the founders and chair of the Mississippi Rural Education
Association and the Associate Director for the Program of Research and Evaluation for Public
Schools, a statewide organization for pk-12 school districts.
Dr. Permenter served 28 years as an educator for young children before joining the WCU faculty,
and she achieved National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist during that time.
Through her work with rural schools, she has served as an Empowerment Specialist for School
Improvement in Alaska, and for the Bureau of Indian Education assisting with developing a Pre-K
program. Dr. Permenter has presented at national conferences providing professional development
for paraprofessionals, teachers, and administrators. Recently, she co-authored a toolkit for the
National Comprehensive Center to assist schools, school districts, and state agencies with
supporting students in poverty. Dr. Permenter has volunteered on multiple advisory boards, including
South MS United Way, MS Early Childhood Association, MS Thrive, and Excel by 5. She has served in
MsECA in various roles as a member, presenter at conferences, diversity chairperson, Member at
Large, 3rd Vice president, and 1st Vice President.
Her family includes her husband - Eddie, son- Wil who is currently a college student at MSU, a son,
Chris, and his wife Miranda who are both teachers in Ocean Springs School District, and last but not
least, grandson Asher who will be 3 years old this year.
STATEMENT:
I would be honored to serve as President-Elect
for the Mississippi Early Childhood Association.
Over the years, I have received invaluable
support and encouragement from the
organization and its leadership. If elected, I
would promise to give back that same support
to others. I believe that is very important for
us to work together to educate, connect, and
advocate for early childhood. We are in an
important role in helping to build the future and
helping each other build capacity is critical.
QUOTE
"A teacher is a compass that
activates magnets of curiosity,
knowledge, and wisdom." -
Ever Garrison
PATTI PERMENTER

3. Meet The Candidate for...
Meet The Candidate for...
2ND Vice President
2ND Vice President
ABOUT ME
ABOUT ME
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
STATEMENT
STATEMENT
Tara Dickerson is from Magee, MS. She is married to
Rainey Dickerson, a journeyman lineman at Southern
Pine Electric. Tara and her husband have three adult
children, Jacie and Jacob are 20-year-old boy/girl
twins and are planning to attend Mississippi State
University in the Spring. Their youngest daughter,
Joanna, is 18 and is attending college at Mississippi
State University. Tara holds a Specialist degree in
Higher Education Administration and a Master’s
degree in Elementary Education. Tara is currently
completing her doctoral dissertation in Higher
Education. Upon completion of her PhD., she plans to
work toward a second Master’s degree in Early
Childhood.
QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS
How long have you worked in the Early Childhood field? 10+ years
In what positions have you worked in the Early Childhood field?
Preschool teacher, Early Childhood Trainer, Early Childhood
Coach/Technical Assistant, Assessment Coordinator for the
Nurturing Homes Initiative, Field Supervisor for NHI, Regional
Coordinator for the MDE Office of Early Childhood, Data
Coordinator for the MDE Office of Early Childhood, Program
Manager for Nurturing Homes Initiative
What organizations have you worked for in the Early Childhood
field? Early Years Network, MDE Office of Early Childhood,
Nurturing Homes Initiative
Tara has over a decade of
experience in the field of
early childhood as well as
experience working with
children and adults with
developmental disabilities.
She has created and
presented trainings at the
local and national levels in
early childhood.
I would like to serve on the MsECA
Executive Board because I would like to
assist in promoting MsECA’s mission to
serve as a source of early childhood
expertise and education for practitioners
across the state. I believe that any
investment in our state’s youngest
citizens is crucial to the future success of
our state. I believe that I can further help
in spreading the message of the
importance of early childhood across the
state in the position of MsECA Executive
Board member. I am passionate about
the field of early childhood and I would be
honored to serve on the MsECA
Executive Board.
Tara Dickerson

4. Christi has a passion for the
Mississippi Early Childhood
Association, having been a
member since her Junior year at
Ole Miss after being introduced to
the organization by Dr. Jean Shaw
and Dr. Mary Jo Cliatt. She has
served on the executive board for
11 years in various roles with the
latest being 2nd Vice President.
Christi’s desire is to continue to
serve the membership of the
organization and to help it grow
and excel as the first and best
early childhood organization in
Mississippi.
Christi Littlejohn
Christi Littlejohn is the owner and
executive director of The Kangaroo’s
Pouch Children’s Center in Pontotoc,
MS. She has actively cared for,
educated and advocated for children
and families through the center and
other avenues for the past 33+ years.
Christi graduated from the University
of Mississippi in 1988 with a
Bachelor’s degree in elementary
education and a focus on early
childhood. She also has a Mississippi
Director’s Credential as well as a
National Child Care Director’s
Credential.
MEET THE CANDIDATE
MEET THE CANDIDATE
FOR...
FOR...
2ND VICE PRESIDENT
2ND VICE PRESIDENT
In addition to a full time career in directing the
Children’s Center, Christi has served with various
organizations such as the Itawamba Community
College Early Childhood Advisory Board, Excel By
5, MsECA, SECA, the MS Dept. of Health Child
Care Advisory Council and the Northeast MS
Early Childhood Association, which she founded
in 2012. Christi encourages others to live by the
rule she has adopted in life: “Make a difference
every day—even just a tiny difference can
change the world for someone”.
Christi is married to Jim Littlejohn and their biggest
accomplishment and greatest love is the 5 children and 4
grandchildren they share! When she is not busy working with
children and families or at the center, she enjoys attending and
serving at West Heights Baptist Church, spending time with family
and friends, sharing with and training other teachers and directors,
cooking, scrapbooking, gardening, and hiking or ANYTHING in
nature.

5. My name is Windy Faulkner. I am 45 years
old and married to Bart Faulkner who is a
pharmacist. We have three amazing
children. Calub who is 23 a police officer,
Olen 15, and Lorabell 11. I have a precious
grandchild named Charlsie Mae. We live in
New Albany and attend Ingomar Baptist
Church.
I graduated from West Union Attendance
Center in 1996. Then I attended
Cosmetology School. While working I went
to Blue Mountain College part-time to earn
a teaching degree. I graduated in 2002 and
got my first teaching job at West Union.
After a couple of years, I was encouraged
to get my masters in educational leadership.
I earned this degree from the University of
Mississippi and continued my education at
the University earning my Specialist in 2006.
During this time I worked at East Union and
Ingomar as an assistant principal. In 2009, I
decided to work on my Doctorate degree. I
successfully completed all the coursework
for the doctorate degree. During this time I
was the elementary principal at New
Albany.
Currently, I am the assistant superintendent
for the Union County School District. This is
my 9th year in this role. I have been a first-
grade teacher, assistant principal, and
principal. This is my 21st year in education
with 19 of them being in Union County and 2
in the New Albany School District.
I have been very involved with my church
and community. I have been president of the
Junior Auxiliary, Pilot Club, and Kiwanis Club.
I am the director of Excel By 5 for Union
County/New Albany and the director of
Union County Leadership Academy. I serve
as bible drill director for grades 4-6 and
help with the children’s choir. I have
attended mission trips with our youth in
Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and Ecuador. I
helped establish Ingomar Baptist Child
Development Center.
Experience
I have worked in the early childhood
field for 21 years.
I have been an advocate for early
childhood for years. I have served
on the committee to develop
guidelines for three and four-year-
olds at MDE. I have been the driving
force to get pre-k in the Union
County School District. I have been
over the pre-k programs in Union
County. Serving as
director/manager of Excel By 5 has
given me an opportunity to work
with daycares and schools to help
promote early childhood.
I have a passion for children and especially early
childhood education. If elected to serve on the
board, I think I could bring my knowledge and
passion to help our organization do amazing things.
Windy Faulkner
Meet The Candidate ..
3rd Vice President

6. Liz Thorne is a Project Manager for
MSU-Extension housed in the
School of Human Sciences. She is
responsible for managing grant-
funded programs from state and
federal agencies and ensuring that
programs follow university, state,
and federal laws while executing
programs to fidelity. Thorne is also
responsible for creating, editing,
and revising trainings for MSU
Extension Agents delivering
trainings to early care and
education providers.
I am interested in advocating for
quality early childcare and
education. We all know that our early
childhood educators play a key role
in providing quality early childhood
experiences for young children;
however, this pivotal role is not
adequately reflected in early
childhood wages. As 3rd VP, I would
continue to advocate for more
funding opportunities for early
childhood in efforts to increase
wages that still allow accessible
quality care for children and families.
She is currently a doctoral candidate in
Human Development and Family
Science, with her research focusing on
child development, particularly social
and emotional development in young
children. She holds a Master’s and
Bachelor’s of Science in Human
Development and Family Science in the
same area. She has previous work
experience in non-profit, other grant-
funded projects, and Head Start.
My current position as a Project
Manager allows me to execute
programs targeted toward early care
and education throughout the state.
I have worked in early
childhood for 10 years. I have
worked as a Lead Teacher in
Head Start, a graduate
research assistant with
research focusing on areas
of early childhood, a
Publications Specialist with
Early Years Network
creating, editing, and revising
trainings delivered to early
childcare providers and
administrators, and families.

7. Heather has sixteen years of
experience teaching young children
in public schools and private
preschools in Houston, Mississippi.
She also helped establish her school
district’s first preschool program,
where she taught for ten years.
After prayerful consideration, Heather has
decided to run for a member-at-large position
within MsECA. MsECA was crucial support to
Heather during her early years beginning her
journey in early childhood and she is excited
about the opportunity to give back and
support MsECA now.
Heather is humbled by the chance at being a
part of such an incredible team and is excited
about
the impact that can be made for caregivers
and families with young children all across our
state.
Thank you for considering Heather for this role
and this opportunity.
Heather Martin is a Project Manager at
the Social Science Research Center of
Mississippi State University working with
the Mississippi Thrive Child Health and
Development Project seeking to improve
the developmental health of children ages
0-5 in Mississippi. Heather also
specifically works within this project as
the statewide Vroom coordinator and
statewide Mind in the Making coordinator.
She has held this position since the Spring
of 2019 and will continue for several more
years.
Heather Martin
MEET THE CANDIDATE FOR...
NORTHEAST MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Heather’s degrees include a B.A. in
psychology from Mississippi State
University and a B.A. in elementary
education from Blue Mountain College.
Heather has
been married to
Chris Martin for
twenty-two years
and has two
daughters whom
she adores. In
her spare time,
she works to
support early
childhood work in
her community
and teaches and
mentors
teenagers at her
home church First
Baptist in
Houston.

8. Working with young children all my
life, my goal was to understand the
child’s growth and development to
provide developmentally
appropriate experiences and a
clean and safe environment.
After retiring from the classroom after 36
years, I continued to work in the schools
as a reading interventionist for 8 years.
Then the opportunity presented itself at
my church to become a director for the
new child development center. This is
where I continue to serve.During the years
as a Pre-K teacher. I was a member of
Mississippi Association of Children Under
Six. I have been serving on the Excel by 5
committee in Union County since it
started.
Meet The Candidate for...
Northeast Member-at-large
As a member-at-large with the Mississippi
Early Childhood Association, my work will
continue with a team of professionals to
bring the best for the children of Mississippi
and their parents, by looking for the needs
and events in the area to carry out the
program of work, communicating and
forming relationships with other members,
attending and assisting with events and
conferences. I look forward to continuing to
work with young children, it is not a job, it is
a joyful opportunity.
Born in New Albany, MS to farming parents, Robert and Eula Mae Hall, I
learned how to work as a team member taking care of the crops and animals.
My two older brothers made sure I knew how to do things and how to take
care of myself. My sister, who is 10 years younger, helped me to know how to
take care of others. Working with children at church through high school in
Vacation Bible School and choir, I felt God leading me to work with children. A
college education was afforded to me by playing basketball while getting the
education needed to work with children in a school setting. The teamwork
learned on the farm continued through church activities, basketball, and
college. Starting my career professionally, by teaching pre-k in 1977, moving to
middle school, then to first grade, has been a success for me.
Graduated from Ingomar Attendance
Center in 1973 Graduated from
Northeast Mississippi Community
College in 1975 Married David White in
1975 Graduated from Blue Mountain
College in 1977
Son, Jeremy David White born in 1979
Graduated with a Masters’ Degree from
University of Mississippi in 1981
Daughter, Rebecca White born in 1987
Throughout the years, four grandsons
and one granddaughter
Taught elementary school from 1977-
2013 as a full-time teacher
Worked as a substitute teacher and
Reading Interventionist from 2013-2020
Director of Ingomar Baptist Child
Development Center, 2021-present
Shirley White

9. Emileigh Stiger
Meet the
Candidate for...
SOUTHEAST
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
I would like to serve on the MsECA
Executive Board in order to continue
pursuing my passion for early
childhood education. As a young
mother, I gained a tremendous amount
of knowledge from early childhood
education mentors in my community.
They gave me the confidence to teach
my children and to encourage them as
they met their milestones at their own
pace. I would love to serve in that
capacity for parents in my community.
I have worked in the Early Childhood
field off and on for over 10 years. When
not working in the Early Childhood field,
I taught secondary education to teens
and provided post-secondary
transitions services to graduating
seniors.
I served in preschool classrooms, vacation
bible school, and Awana classrooms, as
well as serving as the pre-kindergarten
administrator for a local school district. I
also coached 3-4-year-old children
through the Start Smart youth sports
program.
I served as a member of the Excel By 5
coalition in Moss Point. As the District
Parent Liaison of a local school district, I
worked closely with local childcare
facilities and served as the Pre-K
administrator for the school district. I have
also held a MsECA membership for the
past two years.
Emileigh Stiger is a mother of five children who range in age from 2 to
15 years old. She has over 10 years of experience in education having
served in classrooms from age 1 through 12th grade. Emileigh has coached
recreational youth sports as a means of engaging children in her community. She
earned her Bachelor of Science in General Studies, Master of Arts in Teaching, and
Specialist in Educational Leadership in order to pursue her passion in educating today’s
youth. Emileigh loves assisting children of all ages as they explore their love for learning!

10. Meet the Candidate
Meet the Candidate
for...
for...
SOUTHEAST MEMBER-AT-LARGE
SOUTHEAST MEMBER-AT-LARGE
DAPHNE STEVENS
DAPHNE STEVENS
Hello! My name is Daphne
Stevens and I am a Training
Specialist II for the Mississippi
Department of Human
Services. I have been in the
Early Childhood Education field
for 24 years.
I have taught in every age level classroom, been an assistant
director, educational specialist and coach and technical assistant
coordinator. I am a member of the National Association for the
Education of Young Children and Mississippi Early Childhood
Association
I would like to serve on the Executive Board
because I am passionate about the future of
the young children in our great state of
Mississippi and how to enhance the quality of
growth and education in the childcare setting.

11. Tammy Rutland
Meetthe
Candidatefor...
Southwest
Member-at-Large
Experience
MyBackground
I have worked in the field of Early
Childhood for over 13 years. I have
worked in every position in the field of
early childhood from A to Z. Some of my
positions in the field of early childhood
were to write grants to fund a center,
ordering supplies for the center, setting
up classrooms, enrollment, preparing
for licensure, teaching in classrooms,
director, scheduling, budgeting/payroll,
human resources, preparing/serving
food, instrumental in setting up a
childcare center for children of medical
staff after COVID and worked days and
nights with the children, and many other
positions.
Early Encounters-worked numerous
positions for this center from the ground
up, so to speak. It was an inclusive
childcare center that was started with a
grant and staff from the University of
Southern Mississippi, Institute for
Disability Studies along with specialty
clinical staff worked in the center. This
was my first time to work with special
needs children but it was not long before
I discovered those were the ones who
stole my heart.
Bellvue Baptist Church-teacher for
preschool class and also director for a
large vacation bible school for numerous
years
Forrest General Hospital childcare
center-teacher for preschool to age 10
children. I was instrumental in setting up
a large childcare center in multiple large
meeting rooms after COVID. This was for
children of medical staff who worked in
the hospital. I fulfilled the role of a
therapist as well as a teacher for the
children during this challenging time. I
can reflect on some of the most
memorable and rewarding moments with
these children.
Forest Grove Methodist Church-director
for vacation bible school for numerous
years
Various Part-Time Positions for
Individuals-worked for different
individuals over the course of several
years and kept children in their home
from ages 1 to 8. Provided instruction for
the children, meals, and routine care.
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12. MEET THE CANDIDATE FOR...
SOUTHWEST MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Jowanda Magee
My name is Jowanda Magee. I am a native of the Magnolia and
McComb area of Mississippi, where I currently teach Pre-K at
Eva Gordon Lower Elementary. I am proud to say that I
attended Eva Gordon during my early childhood years and am a
proud 2003 graduate of South Pike High School! I am a mother
of one wonderful little boy named Princeton. I am the youngest
of 3 children and the aunt of nine nieces and nephews. I have
been in the wonderful world of early childhood education for
over 20 years, starting with me volunteering my senior year in
high school as a youth mentor. The youth mentor program is
what started my journey and I am proud to say that I currently
teach in the same district as one of my former students that I
mentored. After high school, I furthered my studies at
Southwest Community College, where I received my Associates
of Science in Early Childhood Education in 2005. I continued my
tenacious pursuit of academic excellence by attending the
University of Southern Mississippi, where I received my
Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education in 2008.
From there, I ascertained an even greater understanding of
teaching principles within my field by obtaining my Masters of
Education in Early Childhood Education from Jackson State
University in 2021. I am very excited to bring all of the
knowledge that I have gained through academic pursuits and
experience right back to where the journey began for me.
The opportunity to serve on
MsECA Executive Board gives
me the opportunity to pour out
the knowledge that I have
learned and earned. It also gives
me the opportunity to learn
from others who are a part of
the dynamic team which
composes the MsECA. As we
know, education is forever
evolving, therefore learning new
techniques, strategies, and
research is always imperative to
achieve long-standing success. I
have gone from the classroom
to administration, from
administration to educational
coaching, and from educational
coaching back to the classroom.
This experience has allowed me
to compose knowledge from
multiple levels and will make me
a very valuable asset to success
within my school district and
community at large.
I have over 20 plus years
of Early Childhood
education and experience.
Teaching on the following
levels: privately owned
daycare, federal head
start, and public school. I
have also been in an
administrative position
with head start as well
as being an educational
mentor/coach.
What organizations have you
worked for in the Early Childhood
field?
Creative Kids Christian
Learning Academy, Pearl
River Valley Opportunity,
Mississippi Building Blocks,
Early Childhood Academy,
MDHS/Resource and
Referral Network and Eva
Gordon Elementary in the
South Pike School District.

13. MEET THE CANDIDATE
FOR...
SOUTHWEST CENTRAL
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Leigh Sargent is the Executive Director of the Tallahatchie Early Learning
Alliance (TELA), is a community organization that strengthens programs and
communities in support of children. Leigh provides a strategic vision for
TELA’s community development and builds partnerships with families,
educators, and community partners. TELA believes that to truly make an
impact, we must be ONE voice, on ONE journey, for ONE community.
Prior to joining TELA, Leigh served as Director of Early Childhood at the
Jackson Public School District, where she oversaw the early childhood
programs for special education and Title 1 pre-kindergarten programs.
Prior to this, Leigh taught and served as the Coordinator of the Special
Education Early Childhood Program at Jackson Public Schools.
LEIGH SARGENT
ABOUT ME:
Leigh has served on multiple task forces for the Mississippi Department of
Education, Office of Early Childhood and was a member of the Early
Learning Guidelines Committee. She served as the Founding President of
The Mississippi chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children; is a board
member of the Mississippi Early Childhood Association (MSECA) as the
Pre-K/Private Programs Representative; and a member of the Leading
from Strength Cohort, An Empowerment Network for Women of Color led
by the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance (MELA). Leigh earned master’s
degrees in Educational Leadership and Special Education from the
Jackson State University and currently lives in Ridgeland, MS.

14. MEET THE CANDIDATE FOR...
SOUTHWEST CENTRAL
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
LORI WINDHAM
I would like to serve on the MsECA Executive Board
because my desire is to be an advocate for effective
early childhood practices in my community and the
state of Mississippi.
I worked in the preschool
department of our church when my
own children were young. I taught 2-4
grade for 23 1/2 years in the public
school system. I have served as a
church preschool director and the
director of preschool Awanas.
Lori enjoys the relaxing on the beach,
reading, and spending time with her
family. She is married with three grown
children and is Mimi to six grandchildren.
She is certified in the areas of K-6
Elementary Education, K-12 Reading, and
7-12 English. Degrees and Certifications
Doctorate in Educational Leadership,
William Carey University Specialist in
Education, William Carey University
Master of Education, William Carey
University
Bachelor of Science Elementary
Education, University of Southern
Mississippi
In some capacity or
another, I have worked
in the early childhood
field for most of my
adult life. My work
with early childhood
has been in local
churches and in public
schools.
A longtime resident of Saucier, Mississippi, Lori
taught at Saucier Elementary for 23 ½ years
before retiring to accept a full-time position in
the School of Education at William Carey
University. Lori began her career at William
Carey University as an adjunct professor in 2015
and started her tenure as a full-time faculty
member in 2017. Currently, she is an associate
professor and the undergraduate program
coordinator for the Tradition Campus. Lori’s
primary focus is on early literacy and preparing
future educators to meet the academic, social,
and emotional needs of children. She was named
Harrison County School District Teacher of the
Year in 2010, MACTE Educator of the Year for
2016-2017, and the 2022 Tradition Campus
Faculty Member of the Year.

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I am Robin C. Duncan. I am married, a
mother of two boys, and a
grandmother with six grandchildren. I
have worked in education for over 24
years. I have served as a
Paraprofessional, teacher, and
interventionist, and currently serve as
principal of Tylertown Primary
School. I have been selected as
Teacher of the Year for my school
and district. I enjoy teaching Sunday
school and being an active member of
my church. I have recently published
a children’s book titled “Puzzle”.
I would like to serve on the MsECA
Executive Board to be a voice for not only
my students but also for their families.
Our children face so many challenges and
I feel that I can help make a positive
difference for them.
I have worked in the Early Childhood field for
over 25 years. In the last 3 years, I have had
the opportunity to be a part of our district
Pre-K (4-Year-old) program that is housed on
our campus.
The position that I have worked in the early
Childhood field has been as a creator of our
district Pre-K program. I have worked in the
classroom and with the Mississippi
Department of Education to launch the Pre-K
program.
I have been an active Sunday school teacher for the
Pre-K and Kindergarten classes. Before Covid, I visited
the Head Start and Pre-school daycares in my county
in order to help our students transition into our
Kindergarten program. I read books and gave “Happys”
to the students. I am looking forward to visiting them
again. I have worked with our community to help
identify schools with special interests and needs. I
have enjoyed helping our local Girl Scout Troop reach
out to our community during their literacy drive giving
out books. I am now working with our county library to
help get books wrapped and ready for Santa to give
out during our county-wide Christmas Open House.
Southwest Central Member-at-Large
Robin Duncan