S1. Episode 4: Stephanie Rino and Maureen Giordano - Leading Early Childhood Programs - Pt 2.
Part 2 of 2, Leading Early Childhood Program is continued from Season 1, Episode 3.
Stephanie Rino, and Maureen Giordano, two Wyoming early childhood program owners and directors, respond to the Episode 3 interview with Debbie LeeKeenan. Stephanie and Maureen share how their experiences and identity shaped their work as early childhood professionals. They offer wisdom from their experiences opening programs to address unmet needs in their communities and leading early childhood educators through the process of change. Maureen and Stephanie talk about the difference between leadership and partnership and share what this looks like in their own practice.
Download the transcript for this episode
Thank you for listening! If you would like to earn STARS Credit for listening,
fill out our STARS Credit Application.
About our guest
Stephanie Rino
Stephanie Rino is the Director of Wyoming Kids First. She holds an undergraduate degree in Child and Family Studies and a Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood Education. Stephanie has worked as an early childhood professional for over 20 years in a number of roles and settings including early childhood special education, behavioral support, early childhood professional learning, and is the founding director and owner of an early learning center in Casper, WY. What she enjoys most about her work in early childhood education is advocating for the children, families, and educators around the state. Advancing the field and elevating the workforce is the driving force behind her steadfast commitment to early care and education in Wyoming. When not at work, Stephanie enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband and three children, and gathering with friends.
Show Notes
Check out the links below to documents and resources mentioned in this episode
Building Anti-Bias Early Childhood Programs: The Role of the Leader Louise Derman-Sparks, Debbie LeeKeenan, John Nimmo Young Children, May 2015 https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2015/building-anti-bias-programs
If you are interested in learning more from Stephanie Rino click here to listen to her ECHO session webinars.
Books by Stephanie Rino
From Survive to Thrive: A Director’s Guide for Leading an Early Childhood Program. Debbie LeeKeenan and Iris Chin Ponte (2018) NAEYC
With so many demands and limited time, being an early childhood program leader is more challenging than it’s ever been. This guide, grounded in current research and based on the experiences of the authors as well as directors from across the country, blends theory with practical tips you can implement immediately. Each chapter provides the building blocks you need to:
-Develop effective policies and procedures that work for your program
-Manage a healthy budget
-Build a strong staff
-Forge robust home–school partnerships with children’s families
-Handle confrontation and conflict
-Achieve and maintain full enrollment in your center
Leading Anti-Bias Early Childhood Programs A Guide for Change Louise Derman-sparks, Debbie LeeKeenan and John Nimmo (2015) Teacher’s College Press/NAEYC
With a focus on the leader’s role in initiating and sustaining anti-bias education in programs for young children and their families, this book is both a stand-alone text and a perfect companion for Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. It emphasizes that this work is not only about changing curriculum, but requires thoughtful, strategic, long-term planning that addresses all components of an early childhood program. With a powerful combination of conceptual frameworks, strategies, and practical tools, Louise Derman-Sparks, renowned expert on anti-bias education, together with experienced early childhood directors Debbie LeeKeenan and John Nimmo, explain the structural and individual changes leaders must foster. Featuring the authors’ extensive experience in the field, supplemented with insights from other anti-bias educators, they build on and expand current thinking about best early childhood leadership practices. This is an essential resource for anti-bias education leaders engaged in change in the wide range of early childhood care and education settings.
