Empowering Growth Through Leadership

The Early Childhood Mentor Network provides high-quality learning experiences that foster reflective practice, leadership, mentorship, and connection among early childhood professionals. Lead Mentors are essential to this mission, offering professional development and structured support to educators.

Ashley’s Journey as a Lead Mentor

Ashley’s experience highlights the power of mentorship. “The Early Childhood Mentor Network has helped me develop skills in presenting and collaborating with colleagues with diverse experiences and perspectives,” she shared. Her background in music and special education, combined with a commitment to high expectations and individualized support, aligns seamlessly with the Mentor Network’s values.

Building Connections Through Reflective Practice

Ashley emphasizes the importance of organization, intentionality, and empathy in mentorship. “Being intentional means effectively supporting mentees. Organization and structure create space for meaningful conversations and connections,” she explained. She models reflective practices through monthly meetings and provides tools to encourage growth among her mentees.

Witnessing Growth and Purpose

For Ashley, the most rewarding part of mentorship is seeing her mentees grow their professional confidence and effectiveness. “It’s exciting to be part of that moment when professionals have a lightbulb and see the purpose in their work beyond childcare,” she said.

Join the Early Childhood Networks Team as a Lead Mentor

The Lead Mentor role offers comprehensive training, ongoing support, and opportunities for collaboration with expert peers and fellow mentors across New Mexico. This position involves facilitating eight monthly cohort-based, community-of-practice meetings to guide and empower mentors in their professional growth. Applications open in April 2025. Learn more at ecnetworks.org. 

For Natasha Gacinski, CEO of Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico, the Early Childhood Director Network has been an invaluable resource for staying grounded and connected to the work that fuels her passion. Natasha began her career in early childhood education as a toddler and Pre-K teacher, dedicating years to the rewarding challenges and joys of this age group. She progressively advanced into leadership roles, eventually becoming an early childhood center director and working for the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), overseeing more than 40 early childhood centers statewide.

Her experience reinforces her belief in the power of connecting to peers. “Being a part of this network keeps me tethered to the heart of our work,” Natasha shares. “At higher administrative levels, it’s easy to get bogged down in paperwork and disconnected from the classroom. The network ensures I stay connected to the challenges and triumphs of our field.”

Natasha has also given back to the network through mentorship, a role she views as foundational to growth. “Mentorship is about partnership,” she explains. “It’s built on a shared commitment to common goals, whether guiding a new director through their first year or helping someone achieve a degree. Showing up and being present is the foundation — it’s simple but tough in today’s world.”

A key element within the program is the informal ‘agreement’ between a mentor and mentee, which Natasha credits with enriching the experience. “It establishes mutual understanding. Both parties are committed, and compensating mentors for their time reinforces the importance of this work.” Through mentoring, Natasha has seen profound growth among professionals. “I’ve witnessed directors earn degrees, gain certifications, and step into leadership roles they never thought possible. That transformation inspires me every day to keep advocating and mentoring.”

As Natasha puts it, “We are shaping lives — not just of the children we care for but also of the professionals in this field. That’s a legacy worth investing in.”

Ready to expand your professional network and advance your leadership skills? Join the Early Childhood Director Network for access to mentorship, support, and resources that will take your career to the next level. 

Applications for the Director Network open December 1 and close December 15, 2024. Meetings begin in January 2025, and stipend payments are available for attendance. Learn more and apply now at www.ecnetworks.org/early-childhood-director-network.

Melinda Salazar has been an early childhood professional in her northern New Mexico community for over twenty years. She provides early childhood education at her home-based center, Family Daycare by Melinda. Located in Tierra Amarilla, her center is the only licensed facility within a 60-mile radius, serving as a vital education resource for families in the area.

Melinda recently embraced a new challenge, implementing a Pre-K curriculum to expand her program. “It’s been a blessing,” she reflects. “We were able to access a structured curriculum, new manipulatives, and resources, providing our kids with a more enriched learning environment.”

As a member of the Home-Based Provider Network, Melinda finds strength in shared experiences and collaborative learning. “It’s amazing to learn from others who understand the challenges we face and to gain tools that make my day-to-day easier,” Melinda shares. “Time is the biggest challenge,” she explains. “Balancing roles as an administrator, teacher, cook, and janitor is no small feat. I’ve gained practical strategies through the network, like creating rotating menus to save time.”

A natural mentor, Melinda often shares wisdom with fellow providers. “I always tell them to take time for themselves,” she says, recalling a colleague hesitant to close for Thanksgiving. You give so much but must also care for yourself to keep providing quality education and care.”

Melinda is motivated by the joy of seeing young children learn and grow. “They’re like little sponges, eager to learn. Being part of their journey is the most rewarding part of what I do,” she says. “When they come back years later and remember me, and give me a hug, I know I’ve made an impact.”

Applications for the Home-Based Provider Network open December 1 and close December 15, 2024. Meetings begin in January 2025, and stipend payments are available for attendance.

Don’t miss this opportunity to access resources, support, and a community of peers who understand your unique experience as a home-based provider. Join the Home-Based Provider Network today!

The Infant-Toddler Teacher Network is more than a professional development community; it’s a vital source of support built on the power of relationships. For teachers working with children from birth to 36 months, participation in the Infant-Toddler Teacher Network offers a chance to learn and share experiences with fellow educators. As Tracy Royer, a dedicated Network Lead Teacher, puts it, “Empathy and relationships are essential and shape how we participate in the network. Relationships are number one. Without them, you don’t have a base to go off of.”

This focus on relationships extends beyond traditional mentor-mentee roles. Tracy emphasizes that she learns as much from her colleagues as they do from her. “I might be called a mentor, but it doesn’t mean I can’t learn from you. We’re growing and learning together.”

Through reflective practices and shared experiences, the Infant-Toddler Teacher Network fosters a supportive environment where educators deepen their expertise. “You need to be present and empathetic. It’s about understanding where each educator is in their journey,” Tracy explains.
Join the Infant-Toddler Teacher Network and be part of a community where relationships with colleagues and collaborative knowledge fuel professional growth. If you’re passionate about supporting early childhood development, now is the time to connect with us.

Dale Cooperman, M.A., Ed. Spec., Director of the Congregation Albert Early Childhood Center and Lead Mentor in Early Childhood Director Network   

Dale’s philosophy on mentoring childcare center directors is rooted in her commitment to sustaining quality, fostering trust, and embracing continuous learning. As a seasoned early childhood educator with over 42 years of experience, Dale understands the key to effective mentorship lies in valuing every mentee’s unique talents, experiences, and perspectives.

“Mentorship is not just about providing answers; it’s about being a good listener and creating an environment where everyone feels respected and valued,” Dale explains. By modeling this approach, she encourages mentees to trust their instincts, reflect on their practices, and continually seek improvement. This philosophy extends to her belief that no one has all the answers and that an open mind is essential for growth.

“My most important mentorship practice is to step back and reflect on my approach and actions. You can’t be an effective mentor without mentoring yourself. It’s crucial to allow your mentee to provide a perspective that helps you step back and say, ‘I haven’t thought about it that way before.'”

Dale’s holistic mentorship approach integrates both professional and personal development, encouraging directors to trust their abilities, seek needed help, and reflect on their actions. This reflective practice is crucial, allowing directors to learn from their experiences and continuously improve. She frequently collaborates with fellow directors to share insights, strategies, and solutions to common challenges. These efforts help elevate early childhood education professionals and promote initiatives like the Head Start Pay Parity Program, strengthening individual leadership and advancing the early childhood workforce.

The impact of Dale’s mentorship is evident in the growth and increased confidence of the directors she mentors. By fostering a supportive and collaborative environment, she helps them navigate the complexities of their roles, ultimately leading to better outcomes for children and families. Dale’s dedication to mentoring ensures that the values of trust, respect, and curiosity are woven into the fabric of early childhood education, benefiting the entire community.

Learn more about the Director Network!

Liliana Vázquez Díaz, A.A., Director of La Casa De Lily Learning Center and Lead Mentor in the Home-Based Provider Network 

Home-based child care professionals play an essential role in nurturing children and supporting families. Home care provider Liliana Vázquez Díaz, is driven by a passion for helping families. Her experiences overcoming challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic strengthened her resolve to provide quality care and education.

She emphasizes the importance of recognizing home-based providers as educators: “The biggest challenge is to get people to acknowledge that we are educators, not babysitters. If we don’t value our own work, nobody else will.”

Her commitment to professional growth is unwavering. “When somebody implies I’m a babysitter, I educate them about my role in education and early childhood development, because I do so much more than that. I graduated with my associate’s degree, and I’m always pushing people to reach for their dreams.”

Liliana also highlights the importance of personalized solutions for each child and family. “I always tell my friends, you have to find the one thing that’s going to work for that child and family. If you have problems with behavior or participation, find a way. There’s always a way.”

Join the Early Childhood Home-Based Provider Network, a community dedicated to the growth and success of home-based programs like Liliana’s. Offering professional development hours, monthly meetings led by fellow providers, and a stipend for online meeting attendance, this network supports the unique challenges and opportunities of home-based providers.