MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND VOLUNTEERS
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Judi Miller, President
I chose a career in Early Education because of my own children. I wanted my oldest son to participate in pre-School and offered to volunteer. The director said, how about if I pay you and I have been playing ever since. I so enjoy what I do. I am making a difference in future generations. I can not think of a more important job then mine. Well maybe a heart surgeon if you need one LOL.
I would like to accomplish bringing our industry together to advocate for children and those who serve them. If we provide a united front we can accomplish much. If you have some of the same desires please join our group of Directors in this effort. We meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Please call for more information. 727-521-6931
I am a private owner and Director of Kids Planet Preschool. I have been working with children more years than I am willing to share. When I think about it makes me feel old. Lets just say I saw my son and three of his pre-school classmates graduate a few years ago. Boy was that a bitter sweet moment.
I enjoy sports and music. Spending time with my husband and three children just doing whatever.
I am still enrolled in SPC I do a class per semester. I will graduate one day. For all of us who are older it is kind of a humbling experience going to school with your children but it is worth it. "There is little virtue in easy victory" Sir Edmond Hillary
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Susan Weber, Vice President
I chose a career in Early Education because I admired my teachers during my school years. When the first little one called me teacher I thought I am not a teacher because I am not educated in the field. That made me go to school so I could feel like a teacher when they called me a teacher. I wanted to be good like the teachers who taught me.
I would like to accomplish promoting positive, educational and fun workshops while serving on the board.
I have been working in the field of Early Childhood Education for 18 years.
I love to learn new things. I love to be with my family. We like to canoe, ice skate, and picnic together.
My family is my greatest accomplishment. I have been married 15 years, Jon and I have two children, 8 year old Brooke and 10 year old Cameron. I also have earned my Master of Science Degree in Early Childhood.
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| Scotty Kubin, Member at Large
A career in Early Education seems to have chosen me. Every opportunity I have had has involved young children - from being a nanny in college, to working in a center in South America, to working with orphans in Romania, to delivering health screening to children in partnership with schools to finallybeing a resource for the early childhood community as a representative for Lakeshore Learning Materials. I get such joy out of contributing to the success of our children.
I would like to increase the participation of the community in the successful development of our children. I am also very interested in Non-Profit management and would like to one day start my own non profit organization. Serving on the board will help me stay connected with customers and colleagues, advocate for best practices in early childhood education and gain meaningful experience in the inner workings of a non profit organization.
I have been working with small children in many forms since I started college 10 years ago. Professionally I have been working in the field for 3 years.
I love to travel and view the world through the eyes of other cultures to better understand people. I am interested in cultures, language and communication. I love the outdoors and the water. I play guitar and love to write and perform my own music.
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| Corinne (Cori) LoCicero, Corresponding Secretary & Marketing Assistant
I began a career in early education because of my love for children. I enjoy spending time with them and have a desire to give them a place to learn and grow, filled with promise.
Being a part of the Pinellas ECA is an opportunity for me to help the organization through contacting and accumulating advertisers for our newsletter, also by establishing and contacting a vendor list for our events.
I have been working with children most of my life. I taught dance and gymnastics to preschool students, volunteered my time as a Girl Scout leader, worked with church children’s groups teaching Sunday school and children’s worship. I made a decision to become a preschool teacher after becoming a substitute teacher at my church’s preschool, becoming a director seemed like the next logical step.
When the weather is right I like hanging out at the pool listening to jazz music. I’ve tried rock climbing and would like to do it again. I enjoy taking walks with my hubby on the beach, in the mall or in the park. Sometimes I just like to watch TV and eat popcorn with my family.
My accomplishments are a happy home, a marriage of 30 years, two lovely daughters who are both graduates of UCF and married to two wonderful men. I am blessed.
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| Mandee Flores, Sunshine Chair I
My name is Mandee Flores and I have been in the Early Childhood field for over 17 years. I am the Co-Chair for the Sunshine Committee on the Pinellas ECA Board. My husband Mark and I have 3 year old twins, Macee and Maddox. I found my love for children when I was very young. By the time I got to college, I knew exactly what I wanted as my career. I taught for 10 years and have been a director for over 8. I have discovered by being on the Pinellas ECA Board, I have a wonderful support group of colleagues that share the love of young children with me. It also helps me to keep up on the ever changing rules and regulations regarding childcare and child advocacy. Now that I am a parent, I feel, now more than ever, that I am proud and honored to be a part of the preschool community. I encourage anyone making a career in EC to consider getting involved and committed to our future generation. The positive care and education they get now will guide them throughout the rest of their lives.
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Vicki Conolly, Vice President of Program
Early Childhood Education chose me. I was an Art Teacher for Pinellas County and stopped teaching to stay home and raise my children. My daughter came to Northwood as 3 yr. old. The pre-school lost a teacher and they asked me if I wanted the job and I have been here ever since. That was 15 years ago and I still look forward to work every day.
I hope that in being on the PECA board that I can bring an awareness to our schools of the value of accreditation and I hope to bring to the various accrediting agencies, especially NAEYC that there is room to grow as a profession that is not based on time lines, but on effective ways of supporting and training staff to be better providers and teacher for our children. We are all in this together.
I love to read and I especially love the Theatre and the Ballet.
My most important professional accomplishment was to take my small, old little pre-school and bring it to N.A.E.Y.C. accreditation as well as a Gold Seal Provider for the State of Florida. My personal accomplishments are 2 wonderful children that have made me so proud and my marriage of 27 years to a wonderful man who has supported me and encouraged me in all that I do.
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| Monica Upshaw, Vice President of Media Relations
My involvement and passion for Early Childhood Education came unexpectedly back in 2001. While filling in for an administrative assistant on maternity leave at a center I learned the undeniable value these centers bring to children and their families. I was able to take my experience and education in marketing to develop systems that improved the program quality of centers throughout my region while advocating for early education.
Upon my move to Florida from North Carolina I became involved with Pinellas Early Childhood Education. It's my belief that the importance of early education doesn't end in the classroom, but rather has to be extended to the education of the general public and parents. My desire is to work with centers to provide them assistance in offering exceptional service and education to children throughout Pinellas County. In doing so my involvement with Pinellas ECA will allow me an outlet to educate the general public on the importance of early childhood education.
In addition, I run a small corporate services company called Bellavaro where we partner with business to provide them with the tools and resources they need to take their company to the next level through sales and marketing support. When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, cooking and playing with my two dogs!
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Jorie Massarsky, Pinellas County License Board
I have been in the child care field in Pinellas County for 19 years. I worked at a preschool in Clearwater for 14 years, first as a 3 year old children’s teacher, and then as the director for 5 years. I have been with the Pinellas County License Board for more than 4 years, as a children’s center licensing specialist. I was recently promoted to Environmental Supervisor I, and will supervise the children’s center specialists. I have a B.A. in English, with 12 credits in Early Childhood Education. I also have a formal education staff credential and an active Director’s Credential. I am originally from New York, where I had a career in advertising. After our first child, I wanted to be a stay at home mom, and so we relocated to Florida. I have lived in Florida for 22 years, and have been married for 30 years. We have a daughter Eve, who is 23 and about to begin physician assistant graduate school, and a daughter Lara, 19, who is an elementary education major at the University of Central Florida.
I love what I do and feel fortunate to work in a field that works toward providing the most healthy, safe and nurturing environment for our youth.
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| Angela Loring |
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| Angela Loring, Treasurer
In the beginning, I just wanted to have a job that would allow me to be with my son. I found that the children were so much fun and as I took Early Childhood classes, I became very interested in Child Development and really understood how important my job was. I know that what we do with children today will directly affect the future and I try to take that responsibility seriously.
Over the years, my affiliation with Pinellas ECA has shown me the importance of professionalism and networking. We are an important source of quality training and advocacy awareness. Being a part of the board not only give me an opportunity to improve myself, but also a way to reach out to others in the Early Childhood Community.
I have been the owner and operator of Children's Campus Learning Center for the past 16 years. I enjoy camping, amusement parks and traveling!
I recently completed my AS in Early Childhood. It took a really long time and most of the degree was obtained as a single mom, one class at a time. Sometimes it felt overwhelming and like I would never get there, but I figured if I at least took one class a semester I was moving forward. One day, It finally happened. If I can do it, you can too!
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| Jenifer McKee, Vice President of Public Policy Chair & PACF PECC Representative
Even as a child, I wanted to be a teacher. After teaching in a Greensboro, Florida public school for a couple of years, I moved and took a temporary position as an assistant director with an early childhood center in Pinellas County. It took about 5 minutes for me to fall in love and I knew I had found my passion!
My hope is that I can make a small impact on making the Early Care and Education field in Pinellas and in Florida a more respected and valued profession.
I have been working in Early Childhood Education for 30+ years. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood from the University of Florida. My husband and I have owned our center, Academy of Learning, Inc. in St. Petersburg since 1980.
I am interested in our environment and teaching children (and their families) how to reuse and/or recycle. I enjoy reading, politics, and basketball. I also enjoy spending time with Amelia, my Lhasa Apso puppy!
My #1 accomplishment is my family. I have a great partner and husband and three fantastic children, two of whom still live at home. We have a lovely home that is nice to come home to!
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| Barbra A. Mastrota, Past President
Working with children is an opportunity to shape lives and to help ensure the future of our community. As educators we enjoy numerous opportunities for the career that we have chosen that are both satisfying and rewarding. Even more fundamental than teaching is the purpose and character you bring to the classroom. Students and their families look to you primarily as a mentor and a role model. Each little action you take is observed, translated and recorded by all your students. You just can't beat that!
Previous positions on the board include Newsletter editor for 4 years, Vice President for 2 years, President for 2 years and currently the Past President of the Pinellas Early Childhood Association. I am also very privileged to sit on the Pinellas County License Board For Children's Center's and Family Day Care Homes as a voting board member.
I am thrilled to be the Owner and Director of Precious People Learning Center in Palm Harbor, FL for the past 11 years.
Being a member of the Executive Board for The Pinellas Early Childhood Association has opened countless doors that include knowledge, education, community relationships, long life friendship's, and the opportunity to belong to a network of local professionals. I am proud to be associated with the board and enjoy it immensely!
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| T.C Vaughn, Newsletter Editor
When I chose a career in Early Childhood Education, I needed a job and had no idea what it was I was getting into. I was young and thought no big deal, this is like babysitting. Boy, did I grow up and figure out that is not the case. I started this profession with Mary Ann Goodrich and Marcia Siebert, as my mentors (thank you ladies) many years ago. I took a break for a while, then came back to the children working with Rose Samuels @ Rosie's Playschool II for 11 years now. I have been a director for two of those years.
As a Pinellas ECA board member I would like to accomplish a successful raffle at each function so we can bring in some money so the board can move forward.
My main interest is my husband of 20 years and my 14 year old son, which has turned into a very busy hobby trying to keep up with him. LOL Cleaning, organizing, watching the sunset, listening to any type of music makes me a happy camper. I also like to listen to water. Ex: The Gulf of Mexico, a rain shower, a water fountain and or waterfall I find this peaceful and relaxing. My new hobby is making diaper cakes for baby showers.
I have helped build a safe, loving environment for children in south Pinellas County. With endless hours , blood, sweat and many tears. I am dedicated to make Rosie's Playschool the best it can be for all the children and families that come through our doors.
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| Susan Samuel, Fundraiser Committee
Early Childhood Education provided me with the basics in child development as I minored in it at Montclair State University. The classes I took gave me the framework and zest for teaching. My first career was a Physical Educator and movement specialist in West Orange, New Jersey. I taught at St. Lukes ECC, Palm Harbor and am presently at Shorecrest Prep ECC preparing to begin my 30th year in education. I have continued to be in the classroom where I can truly make a difference in the lives of children and parents.
I would like the world to know that teaching young children is one of the most important aspects of life.
My hobbied and interests include collecting shells, reading, and water dragons.
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| Marcia Seibert, Awards Chair
My children were asking why I didn't work like other mothers and could they please have store bought cookies. So I started working part time for Carla Stanton at A Circle of Children.
I would like to add a sense of history to the board. I'm old and I've been involved in the board off and on since the late 1980's.
I've been in early childhood education for 27 years. I've been an aide, a teacher, assistant director, director, and head nit picker. For the past 17 years, I've been a provider consultant at Coordinated Child Care.
My hobbies include my three grandchildren, home improvement, and reading. I feel accomplishment in my two wonderful children: Amy, a kindergarten teacher at Belcher Elementary and Bryan, who is a great dad to my A.J., Morgan, and Noah.
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| Delora Jackson, Sunshine II
I chose a career in Early Childhood Education because I feelt that the early years are when children develop their attitude towards education; an attitude that stays with them during their entire schooling process, and I wanted to be there to help them develop a love of learning.
As a Pinellas ECA board member I would like to help show recognition of, and appreciation for,what the teachers in our area do for children.
My interests are anything that takes me outdoors: hiking, biking, kayaking, and my hobby is traveling. I love to take trips to anyplace that I haven't been yet.
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Barbara Backus, Accreditation Chair & Board Advisor II
My career in Early Childhood Education chose me but once I found it I became very passoniate about it and believe quality child care can solve many educational problems our children face. I have been working in early childhood education since 1994 but have been involved in education since 1973.
As a Pinellas ECA board member I would like to see more advocacy efforts.
I love to read, cook and do crafts when I have time. I have been on the Pinellas ECA board since 1997 in the following positions: Newsletter Editor, President Elect, President and Past President. I have been on the ECA of FL board as Central Regional Representative since January, 2005.
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