Mission: The Oklahoma Association for the Education of Young Children’s mission is to connect professionals, build leadership, and support those committed to the needs, rights, quality care, education, and well-being of young children and their families.
CONNECT
WITH US:
2022 Governing Board:
President: Dr. Mansur Choudry
President-Elect: Tammy Lawson
Past President: Collette Sawyer
Vice-President -- Chapters: Caitlin Walker
Vice-President -- Membership: Jana Cornelius
Treasurer: Misty Glynn
Secretary: Brianna Mellott
Historian: Dr. Lori Beasley
Member-at-Large Conference Co-chairs: Sarah Albahadily & Carina Amrine
Member-at-Large – Public Relations: Melonie Ardoin
SECA Representative: Kelly Ramsey, M.S.
Representative to OKDHS Child Care Advisory Council:
Representative to Advisory Board Head Start State Collaboration Office:
Gina Richardson
Awards & Scholarships Committee Chair: Gay Synder
Nominating Committee: Tammy Lawson & Collette Sawyer, co-chairs
NAEYC Accreditation Advisory Committee Chair:
OKAEYC Business Manager: Dr. Susan Tabor
2023 OKAEYC New Governing Board Members
President - Elect -- Jana Cornelius
Vice-President -- Amanda Waters
Member-at-Large - Conference Co-Chair -- Paloma Cisneros
Member-at-Large - Public Policy Chair -- Stephanie Hinton
SECA Representative -- Sarah Albahadily
The Week of the Young Child™ (WOYC) is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The purpose of the Week of the Young Child™ is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. Visit the NAEYC WOYC website to learn more.
MEMBERSHIP
Who are OKAEYC members?
OKAEYC members are a network of professionals who want to make a difference for young children. They want to learn more about early childhood and connect with other early childhood professionals. The board and membership reflect Oklahoma’s diversity with representation from many cultural and ethnic orientations; urban, suburban, and rural perspectives; a full range of early care and education professions; as well as parents, advocates and individuals concerned with quality education for Oklahoma’s children.
Becoming a member is easy!
You have 3 options to choose from:
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Join NAEYC, OKAEYC, and SECA
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Join NAEYC and OKAEYC
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Join SECA and OKAEYC
Step one: Choose one or more national associations you would like to join.
Step two: Once you choose the national membership you want to purchase. Choose OKAEYC as your state affiliate.
Step three: You are now an OKAEYC Member…
Enjoy the benefits of membership! Member Benefits
Service on the OKAEYC Board is a chance to help drive the decisions of our highly-respected national and state associations. Holding an office on the state board is also an opportunity to work with other leaders in the state, guide OKAEYC strategic goals, and influence programs, training, and issues in the state. Board service is a chance to grow personally and professionally, to develop skills, gain unique experience, and make lasting connections with a team of other passionate and motivated professionals.
For more information about Executive Board members, see below:
President
Mansur Choudry
I hold a Ph.D. in Special Education from Oklahoma State University. A degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, and Masters in Special Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and am a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst). I am a member of NAEYC, DISES, Ex-Vice President Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma, Council of Exceptional Children, Autism Society of America, Southern Early Childhood Association, and Association of Professional Behavior Analysts. I am also the Trainer for the First Start and the Master Consultant/Educator with the Council of Early Childhood and Professional Development for children and adults with special needs and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
President-Elect
Tammy Johnson
I have been married for thirty years with two girls and one grandbaby. I graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree with a teaching certificate in Special Education. I taught Special Education for eleven years before moving to the State Department of Education, Special Education Services. In 2014, I joined the Special Care team as the Education Director.
Past-President
Collette
Sawyer
Collette has a Bachelor degree in Organizational Leadership, associate degree in Administrative Management, as well as a two-year certificate in Youth Ministry. She has worked in the early childhood profession for over 35 years. Her experience ranges from a classroom teacher and program director to trainer, coach, and mentor. She is currently the Business Consultant Manager for Oklahoma Child Care Resource and Referral where she works with business coaches throughout the state as they assist child care administrators and homes with business practices.
Her passion is helping administrators develop the leader within them, empowering them to lead their program with vision and purpose.
Vice President - Chapters
Caitlin Walker
I graduated in 2012 with my Bachelor’s in Education from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR. After I graduated I traveled to 11 countries in 11 months with a non-profit organization. We taught English, did manual labor – you name it, we did it! After I returned from overseas I taught 7th grade English in a high poverty/low socioeconomic school for 2 years. I moved to Tulsa in 2016 and started working in Early Childhood. I am passionate about being an advocate for children. Other hobbies include: spending time with my fiancé, Michael, watching sports/attending sports, playing with my 2 dogs, and spending time with family & friends.
I
Vice President - Membership
Jana Cornelius
I have more than 35 years of experience in the early childhood field, working in public school, NAEYC accredited early childhood organizations, and state agencies. I have a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, B.S. in Elementary Special Education with a concentration on Mild and Moderate Disabilities and Speech Impairments, and an M.Ed. in Education Administration.
My name is Misty Glynn, I am married to my wonderful husband, Tony Glynn. We have 5 children, that range in ages from 8-14, one of whom is visually impaired. I have been employed at Play and Learn Preschool for 18 years, where I am the CFO as well as the Director. I’ve served on committees at the Little Light House of Tulsa, PTA at Berryhill, Oklahoma School for the Blind, and Immanuel Lutheran Christian Academy. In my free time, I like to support my children in their athletic adventures and we like to ride our Harley all over the United States.
Treasurer -
Misty Glynn
