Amanda Hagan is a mom and early childhood professional from Joplin. Amanda formerly worked as a teacher in her local Early Head Start program, and currently works as a Family Resource Specialist for Head Start. Working for Head Start while having young children of her own gives Amanda a unique perspective on how important early
Alyssa Morrow is an education coordinator for Early Head Start in Kansas City. She has one daughter and wants to instill in her speaking and standing up for what’s right. She’s been in the early childhood field for almost 20 years in different capacities, from infants and toddlers to second grade. We are thrilled to
Denise Damron is a mom and advocate from Palmyra. As the Executive Director of the United Way of the Mark Twain Area, Denise is fully aware of the importance of quality early childhood services to the larger community. Denise has a unique perspective in navigating Missouri’s early childhood systems, as she has done so as
Crystal is a Center Supervisor/Family Advocate from Kirksville, Missouri. Crystal works for Community Action Partnership of NE Missouri and has also raised 9 of her own children. Learn more about Crystal below! How did you become an advocate for early childhood education? I moved to Northeast Missouri in 2012. Shortly after moving here I was
Cassandra Bruington is a mom and educator from Kansas City. Cassandra became interested in advocacy when she began working with the Parent Leadership Training Institute in Kansas City, building her leadership skills and finding her voice. As a mom of a three year old, Cassandra knows how important it is to focus advocacy efforts on
Dlo is a Provider Fellow from St. Joseph, MO. For the past two years, Dlo has served as the Director of Special Programs. Her career in education spans 25 years with experience ranging from early childhood education to district administration. She is currently working on her Special Education Administration endorsement. Dlo loves spending time with
Jennifer Partridge is a mom and child care provider from Jackson, Missouri. She and her husband own two child care centers in Southeast Missouri, and she has been passionate about advocating for early education since long before they opened their child care centers. Jennifer recognizes that parents are their children’s first teachers and parents know
Nicci Rexroat owns and operates four Early Care and Education facilities in Callaway and Cole counties. She is passionate about advocating for all children and the ECE workforce. She currently serves as Public Policy Chair for the Missouri Association for the Education of Young Children (Missouri’s NAEYC affiliate), and as a Provider Fellow with Kids
Kelly Spencer is a mom from Diamond who has always had a passion for advocacy and believes that recognizing the lived experiences of people is the best way to be an advocate for them. She has also learned as a mom that a child’s most important advocate is that child’s parent. Kelly is a leader
Lana is from a little town in Southern Missouri called Willow Springs. She was raised on a dairy farm that had horses, chickens, goats, cats, and dogs. She moved to Columbia in 2022 for a new job and because she has family in the area. Lana currently has two kids on her roster, and she’s
