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The fellows program of cultivates new leaders in the field through a unique program that combines graduate-level coursework, networking events and mentoring. Fellows must have at least three years of direct work experience in early education, and after the fellows assume policy, practice and research roles, they continue to rely on the support of the initiative and one another. 鈥淭he early education landscape is changing so fast right now,鈥� says Nonie K. Lesaux, a professor who co-directs the initiative with Stephanie M. Jones. 鈥淲e keep in touch to stay current with the needs of families and providers.鈥�

Lesaux introduced two Zaentz fellows who are advancing systems change around the country through the skills they developed in the program.

From Vermont to Texas

Between her junior and senior years at St. Lawrence University, 2021 Zaentz Fellow Anna Brouillette interned for , a Vermont nonprofit that works to ensure that young children in the state have access to quality care. After graduation, she worked there for two additional years. The scarcity of programs she saw made her curious about policies that might better align the supply with the demand. Her Zaentz fellowship鈥攖he latter half of which was remote, due to the pandemic鈥攏urtured her inner policy wonk. She especially liked the biweekly roundtables led by Lesaux and Jones, and she gained additional real-world experience through a capstone project with the , for which she surveyed businesses on their benefit packages.

鈥淲e had a really wonderful community of people who care about and understand the issues,鈥� she says, noting that a text group and virtual happy hours have sustained the energy of the fellowship.

Brouillette recently moved from Vermont to Austin to work on the State Policy Team of the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center at the University of Texas. Her new job involves engaging with early childhood stakeholders in the states and tracking the development, adoption and implementation of policies. The team serves as a resource to the states by sharing relevant studies and best practices, 鈥淲e鈥檝e come so far with the brain research,鈥� she says. 鈥淣ow we need to translate that science into policy.鈥�

鈥淲e aim to help the states learn from each other,鈥� Brouillette explains, citing one promising example: Illinois has an innovative model of infant and early childhood mental health consultation, and Maine is in the midst of rolling out a similar program. The Policy Impact Center can help bring the administrators running these efforts together.

The Classroom-Policy Continuum

Casey Peeks, a 2019 Zaentz Fellow, began her time as a Teach for America corps member in the St. Louis school system just two days after police killed Michael Brown in 2014. When the funeral took place a few blocks away from her school, her kindergarteners weren鈥檛 allowed to play outside. 鈥淏ut they were definitely aware that something was happening,鈥� she recalls, 鈥渁nd there were clear signs of anxiety.鈥�

Although Peeks already knew she wanted to get into education policy, she wanted real-world teaching experience before she applied to graduate school. She also was a founding kindergarten teacher at a charter school in her hometown of Oakland. Her awareness of economic and racial factors beyond the classroom informed her teaching. 鈥淚 could always tell who had access to high-quality early education prior to entering my classroom, and who didn鈥檛,鈥� she says.

During her fellowship, Peeks partnered with the Massachusetts advocacy organization on their Early Education for All campaign and provided technical assistance to communities that had unsuccessfully applied for funding from the . 鈥淚 met community leaders throughout the state and helped them to build up their advocacy skills, to improve their chances when they re-applied,鈥� she explains.

After her Zaentz experience, Peeks was selected for a fellowship with the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). She got to work with Washington State Sen. Patty Murray, a former preschool teacher and longstanding champion of early education. From there, she moved into her current position, federal policy analyst with , during an exceptionally busy period鈥攑assage of the CARES Act last March and the American Rescue Plan. She spends much of her time helping organizational and individual members to understand the legislation and implement its measures.

鈥淚 miss working with kids a lot,鈥� Peeks admits. 鈥淏ut I鈥檓 doing what I should be doing now. Once COVID-19 restrictions lift, I can always volunteer in schools again.鈥�

This story originally published on Early Learning Nation and is now archived on 蜜桃影视. Learn more here.