Judy Jablon is the founder and Executive Director of Leading for Children, a national non-profit organization. After having spent over forty years in the field of early learning, Judy has developed a groundbreaking model that focuses on community and the collective wisdom of its members. Her work centers around the great passion and determination of all the different individuals who dedicate their lives to leading for children. Judy is the author of numerous books and resources for the field including Powerful Interactions: How to Connect with Children to Extend Their Learning, and 11 Simple Rules to Create Thriving Communities for Children. Judy began Leading for Children in 2016 to focus on equity in early learning by ensuring that all the adults in the young child's ecosystem can come together to collectively solve the challenges of their communities by using their wisdom and experience. LFC's projects are currently under way in more than ten states across the country.
Nichole Parks is the Director of Programs at Leading for Children. Her philosophy is that by nurturing the growth and development of the adults in the child's ecosystem, we create pathways to sustainable quality and take steps to create a more equitable world for our children. During her twenty-nine years in early childhood education, she's taught preschool and served children and families as the Infant and Toddler Director of NAEYC accredited program. Prior to joining LFC she was the Quality Rating Improvement System Coordinator with Arkansas State University Childhood Services, where she coordinated trainings, coaching, assessments, and initiatives for early childhood program administrators. Nichole has developed place-based resources in several states and is a co-author of The Five Commitments of Optimistic Leaders: A Reflective Practice Journal.

"The Five Commitments of Optimistic Leaders for Children is a must have guide for all leaders - seasoned and new. How I wish I had it as a new director! Research tells us how important responsive relationships are for child development - and this book takes that principle and reminds leaders that building trusting relationships is core for leading organizations as well. "

-Beth Bye, Commissioner at CT Office of Early Childhood

"The Five Commitments of Optimistic Leadership for Children - A Reflective Practice Journal is replete with rich vignettes shared from the lives of real, everyday folks challenging them-selves to be their best, to practice intentionality. What I personally love about vignettes as instruments for learning is that they do not tell the whole story. They do not answer every question. They are a tease with deceptively ample room for the curious to dig deeper, to unravel the complex layers of equity and power dynamics. At the heart of ECE done well is that all children reach their full potential. This reflective journal is a pathway for adults to reach their full potential, thus clearing the way for enriching children's lives. "

- Jerlean Daniel, Associate Professor Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh, Former Executive Director NAEYC

"This book expresses more than Optimistic Leadership! It is pure expressions of progress, hope, love, integrity and the desire to change outcomes for children. It is a wonderful teaching tool for any setting. I give this book ten thumbs up!

-Larramie Sylvester, Early Childhood Educator, Global Connection Learning Center

Publisher: Leading for Children

Pub date: 2021-01-25

Length: 96 pages