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The Foundation for Child Development is proud to announce the Young Scholars Program 2023 cohort and our new Promising Scholars. Their research has the potential to improve policy and practice to strengthen the early care and education (ECE) workforce.
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Young Scholars Program 2023 Cohort
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Anna Lees, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
Woodring College of Education
Western Washington University
Project Title: Land and Culture Based Indigenous Language Curriculum: Teacher Development and Child Assessment in a Coast Salish Tribal Nation Early Learning Program
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“I am honored and humbled to have been selected as one of this year’s Young Scholars with the Foundation for Child Development. The Foundation's recognition of the work happening with Indigenous early learning and language programs demonstrates its commitment to cultivating justice and future-oriented research with Indigenous communities. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue community-driven work with the support of the Young Scholars Program.”
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Morgan Faison, Ph.D.
Clinical Associate Professor
College of Education
University of Georgia
Project Title: “Growing Our Own”: A Mixed Methods Study of Black Youths in High School Early Childhood Education Career Pathway Programs
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“I am simply thrilled to be selected for the 2023 cohort of Young Scholars and profoundly honored by the investment of the Foundation for Child Development to support my research with Black high school youths who aspire to become future early childhood educators. As much as the history of early childhood education in the U.S. is tied to the undervalued labor of Black educators and caregivers, I believe the future of the field depends on a strong and viable future Black workforce. I cannot wait to glean from the unique insights of Black high school youths about what motivates them to pursue early childhood education, what can be done to retain them, and how early childhood education policies might ensure they thrive as future professionals.”
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Cristina Medellin-Paz, Ph.D.
Associate Director
Straus Center for Young Children & Families
Bank Street College of Education
Project Title: Lifting the Voices of Latina Family Child Care Providers: Using Mixed Methods to Learn How They Navigate Higher Education in their Pursuit of a Child Development Associate Credential
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“I am honored to have been selected for the Young Scholars Program 2023 cohort. I cannot wait to begin my research journey learning with Latina family child care providers to capture their experiences accessing and navigating higher education. This research will use providers’ cultural assets to reimagine how we discuss and prioritize the way in which we professionalize an ECE workforce that centers their values and lived experiences as strengths. I am looking forward to developing a network with an amazing group of scholars to further refine my research and strengthen my skills.”
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Promising Scholars were Young Scholars Program applicants who demonstrated strong potential to conduct rigorous high-quality implementation research focused on the early care and education workforce. Over the next year, they will receive resources and supports to further refine their research skills and knowledge.
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Jessica Amsbary, Ph.D.
Assistant Clinical Professor
School of Education
UNC Chapel Hill
Research Interest Area: Investigating ECE providers in early intervention as they implement evidence-based practices for toddlers with Autism and their families
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“I am so grateful and honored to be a recipient of this award and to capitalize on the opportunity for continued professional development in meeting my goals as a researcher and scholar. Continuing to study methodology, including implementation science frameworks, principles, and practices, can strengthen my abilities to truly contribute to closing the research-to-practice gap in early intervention.”
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Erica Coates, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Clinical Psychiatry
Georgetown University Medical Center
Research Interest Area: Parents' and teachers' discrimination experiences and ethnic-racial socialization practices, young Black children’s development, and culturally specific interventions
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“I am humbled and honored to be selected as a Promising Scholar! I look forward to working with mentors over the next year to advance my professional development and strengthen my grant writing skills. I am also excited to join a network of amazing scholars dedicated to supporting young children's optimal development.”
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Andrew Gadaire, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
Psychology Department
Davidson College
Research Interest Area: Developing accessible career pathways in early childhood education for emergent bilingual and immigrant teachers to promote equity for dual language learners
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“I am honored and excited to participate in the Promising Scholars Program. I look forward to connecting with talented researchers and practitioners doing impactful work related to early care and education. I am also excited to receive support and mentorship to strengthen my capacity to conduct action-oriented research that promotes equitable systems and equitable outcomes for diverse children and families.”
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Natalia Rojas, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Population Health.
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Research Interest Area: Collaborating with educators in understanding and developing planned language approaches for emergent bilingual learners
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“I am thrilled and honored to be chosen as an FCD Promising Scholar. The Promising Scholar Program offers an incredible opportunity to continue developing my research line, build relationships with other scholars, and strengthen my skills. I look forward to the numerous opportunities this award will provide me as I seek to advance equity through my early care and education research.”
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ABOUT US Research, policy and practice—we connect these pieces to help build early childhood systems that enable children to reach their full potential. Founded in 1900, the Foundation for Child Development identifies needs, fills gaps and integrates knowledge for successful implementation and continuous improvement. Learn more about our focus areas and download resources by clicking these links:
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