Early Childhood Education Assembly

Congratulations to the 2019-2021 Professional Dyad and Culturally Relevant Teaching Cohort!

A Message from our Chair Sandra L. Osorio,
and Assistant Chair, Jennipher Frazier:

Hi! I am Sandra L. Osorio, your incoming Early Childhood Education (ECEA) Chair. I am from Illinois. There I was a bilingual (Spanish-English) classroom teacher for over ten years. Most of my time was spent in first and second grade. Now my professional energies are spent at Illinois State University supporting the preparation of early childhood and bilingual teachers. I am a proud daughter of Colombian immigrants and am now raising three multilingual children. This has fueled my passion to prepare teachers to work with students who are culturally and linguistically diverse by creating culturally sustaining spaces.

Hi! I am Jennipher Frazier and I am a wife and a mother of two boys who inspire me daily! It is with this inspiration that I am excited to be your incoming Early Childhood Education (ECEA) Co-Chair. I am a native of South Carolina and throughout my teaching career I have taught in grades kindergarten, first, third, and preschool with disabilities. For the last six years I have had the opportunity to spread literacy through elementary schools as a literacy coach. I am currently a graduate student at the University of South Carolina in the Language and Literacy Program. My doctoral research focuses on the incorporation of culturally relevant pedagogy within instruction for all learners. I know and understand the importance of all children having a strong foundation in literacy. Therefore, I strive to give children opportunities that will allow them to experience literacies in many ways!

We are excited to continue the amazing legacy of the ECEA. If you can believe our assembly has been in existence for ten years. At NCTE Denver in 2020 we will be celebrating ECEA 10th anniversary. Be on the lookout for some amazing events!
We want to stay connected with you. Please make sure to reach out to us ncte.ecea@gmail.com. Remember we are always looking for individuals to publish their amazing work in both our newsletter and journal, as well as participate in various committees.

Meet Your Executive Board Meet Your Board of Directors

Sandra L. Osorio, Chair (introduced above)

Jennipher Frazier, Assistant Chair (introduced above)

Sanjuana Rodriguez, Secretary
Sanjuana C. Rodriguez is an Assistant Professor of Reading Education in the Elementary and Early Childhood Department at Kennesaw State University. Sanjuana is the co-director for the Academy for Language and Literacy in the Bagwell College of Educational at Kennesaw State University. Her research interests include the early literacy development of culturally and linguistically diverse students, early writing development, literacy development of students who are emergent bilinguals, and Latinx children’s literature.

Valente’ Gibson, Treasurer
Valente’ Gibson is a teacher in Columbia, SC at Jackson Creek Elementary. He was a participant in the PDCRT (Professional Dyads and Culturally Relevant Teaching) and has presented his work at several NCTE conferences as well as statewide conferences. He is also a model teacher for the Center for the Education and Equity of African American Students (CEEAAS) and participated in the summer 2019 week long project CHAANGE (Counternarratives for the History of African Americans Needing and Getting Emancipated) to acquire and build on African American history and culture.

Tran Nguyen Templeton
Tran N. Templeton is an assistant professor of early childhood studies at the University of North Texas. Her research is in young children’s co-constructions of identity through processes of image-making (photographs, in particular). She’s interested in the environments and conditions that make children’s critical thought possible.

Alexandra Jenkins
Alexandra Jenkins is a kindergarten teacher at Richland One in Columbia, SC. She has been teaching for 8 years and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina.

Jessica Jones
Jessica Carol Jones is a Literacy Specialist in Richland School District Two. Jessica is passionate about making a difference in the lives of the young people. Jessica graduated with honors from Lander University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She received her Master’s degree in Education Administration from Cambridge College. In 2014 she was honored as Distinguished Teacher of Reading by South Carolina International Reading Association.

Amy Seely Flint
Amy Seely Flint is professor in the Elementary, Middle and Secondary Teacher Education Department at the University of Louisville. Her research interests include teacher professional development, critical and new literacies, and early literacy development. Amy works extensively with primary grade teachers supporting teacher knowledge and culturally sustaining practices in literacy.

Shashray Mccormack
Shashray McCormack is a district resource teacher in the Diversity, Equity, and Poverty Department of Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky.