Donna has been in the EC field for 30 years. She started in Head Start as an Ed Coordinator, moved up to Head Start Director and then to Director of EC SERVICES at The Guidance Center in 2006. She has developed and expanded the EC department and was essential to establishing TGCW’s CREATIVE LEARNING CENTER in 2014. The CREATIVE LEARNING CENTER is a PYRAMID MODEL based integrated childcare center/school. Donna also has been pivotal in obtaining multiple grants for the EC department, creating our award-winning FOUNDATIONS IN FEELINGS Mental Health Consultation program. This program was recognized by the Westchester NASW and NY STATE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH as Program of the Year and What’s Great in Our State in 2017.  Donna has worked tirelessly on behalf of young children, participating in multiple committees in Westchester County and NY State. She has provided trainings on various topics in Early Childhood all over the Hudson Valley, is a Pyramid Model cadre level trainer and has been active in The Resilience Project in Westchester.  Most importantly, Donna has dedicated herself to the vision of inclusion, equity, social- emotional learning and emotionally responsive practice for the 15 years I have known her. She has inspired and mentored staff. Her name is synonymous with Early Childhood in Westchester County. She is indefatigable. 100 words is not enough so I will finish by requesting you recognize her extraordinary work! Thank you.

Nominated by Iva Jenkins/Director of EC Behavioural Health Services, The Guidance Center of Westchester