Misty, who is from Saint Joseph, Missouri, brings a strong commitment to early childhood education shaped by both her professional experience and her personal journey as a parent. She is married and the proud mother of two children, and through her work as a children’s librarian, she has supported families and educators while witnessing the lasting impact of early learning and early intervention. We are truly blessed to have Misty in the fellowship and grateful for the passion and perspective she brings to this work.
How did you become an advocate for early childhood education?
When I saw the Fellowship opportunity from Kids Win, I knew I wanted to be involved. For most of my career, I’ve had the pleasure of working with families, young children, and early childhood educators. I’ve seen how important it is for kids to have early education opportunities and the role those opportunities play in outcomes. On a personal level, my own son was diagnosed with a speech delay at 18 months old. Through early interventions such as speech therapy and two years of early childhood special education, he transitioned to kindergarten needing no extra accommodations. I believe wholeheartedly that those early opportunities were critical for my son to be successful.
Why do you think it’s important to be an advocate as a provider?
Throughout my years serving my community at the public library, I have met many wonderful families and educators. One thing I know about those roles is that they can be very taxing. Having older children and not being directly in a classroom, I feel that I have the knowledge as well as the energy to advocate that I may not have had when my children were younger.
Why should Missouri invest more in child care and early education?
That’s easy! Child care and early education provide critical supports for Missouri’s families. And supporting Missouri families benefits all the citizens of Missouri.
In one sentence, what does the ideal child care and early education system look like for Missouri families?
Ideally, we have enough openings at child care facilities and preschools for ALL children in Missouri.
What is one thing you’ve learned about advocacy that you’d like to share with others?
Advocacy can be as simple as just sharing a story. You don’t have to have the answers to do that.
Any additional comments?
While I may not technically be a provider, I do believe my role as a children’s librarian in my community gives me the opportunity to not only share my story, but also the stories of the children and families I serve, amplifying the voices of all Missouri citizens.