Inspiring Leader- Amy O'Leary

by Deborah Fischer

October 2022

Leaders set the framework to enthuse others to make real change happen! Amy O'Leary has made a strong impact on early childhood education. With a heart for children and determination for effective change in child welfare, she has made her way from a preschool teacher to a president of the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children). After reading interviews and articles about the beloved leader, one can understand moments in her life that have helped shape her path. In this work, an investigation of Amy O'Leary is made to explore her journey to become the president of the NAEYC. A timeline of her contributions to the field of early childhood education will be given as well as the passion for her purpose and tips for future leaders in the field.

Beginnings

Amy O'Leary stated in an interview with NAEYC a quote that formulated her vision for change in childcare (O'Leary, 2020). In a campaign speech in 1978 by June Jordan in South Africa, the words: "We are the ones we have been waiting for" was delivered. This quote inspired 20,000 women in South Africa to protest against racist policies. Amy O'Leary used this quote to fuel her fire for her work.

Amy first studied at Skidmore College Psychology and Early Education. She then worked as a preschool teacher at Ellis Memorial School in South End Boston, Massachusetts. Soon she then became the director. Amy spent ten years working with Ellis Memorial. Within these ten years, Amy saw the impact of policies and how they affected children and families on the front lines. At this time, she grew her purpose to become more of an advocate for the needs of early childcare workers and began working more closely with professionals in the field to promote her vision (O'Leary, 2020). Wishing to see more of the inner workings of early childhood education politics nationally, she attended her first NAEYC Annual Conference in Washington, DC. This conference sparked excitement in her to do more as an advocate for young children. In 2002, Amy applied for and was hired as the Early Childhood Director with the EEA (Early Education for All) and became the campaign's deputy director (NAEYC, 2022).

Challenges

At her first NAEYC conference, she became motivated to learn more about how she could be a part of administrative duties to better care for early childhood education. Amy decided to return to school and earn her master's degree in public administration. She attended Suffolk University's Sawyer School of Management. During her transition from a preschool teacher to a director, then to a political advocate, Amy recognized the stereotype many placed upon her as a former preschool teacher. She noticed a disconnect of respect for staff working with young children and their intelligence when working with younger generations (O'Leary, 2020). Amy stated, "As early childhood professionals, we are often underestimated and undervalued. But this is a story I believe we can—and must—change." (O'Leary, 2020).

Contributions

Amy then dedicated herself to becoming a registered lobbyist and supporting advocacy classes, webinars, and college classes to empower undergrad and graduate students with practical childcare guidance. In January 2009, Amy was promoted to lead the Early Education for All Campaign at Strategies for Children in Massachusetts. The EEA is an advocacy organization that fights for Massachusetts citizens to appropriately invest needed resources for children 0-5 to gain high-quality early education for success. At first, she felt overwhelmed and ill-prepared for her new role, but with constant commitment and peers who were like-minded, her mission strength became stronger. She even realized that she could use the same skill sets to captivate four-year-olds with policymakers (O'Leary, 2018)! During her time as director, she advocated for early childhood educators to become a part of advocacy movements and become knowledgeable of research in the field. She believed that educators could be leaders in their schools and instilled within them the belief that they are intelligent, capable, and competent (O'Leary, 2020). With more and more time and experience, Amy became a professional at working in communities, drafting and passing policy legislation, working with city budgets and media, and raising appropriate funding to support her causes. Amy fought to make high-quality early childhood education a priority on a national level (O'Leary, 2020).

Leadership

In 2011, Amy O'Leary was elected to the Governing Board of the NAEYC. In 2017, she was then elected as NAEYC president. As president, her goal was to magnify the voices of early childhood educators and the challenges and concerns they deal with day in and day out working with youth. As president, she had stated she began each meeting giving gratitude and thanks for the giants that stood before her in the field of early childhood education and is thankful for their ground workings which support where the NAEYC stands today. Successes she has had during her time at the NAEYC include:

• Creating the Power to the Profession statement on advancing equity in child care (Walker-DeVose et al., 2019).

• Planning the Leading and Working Toward Equity Leadership Summit in 2018

• Writing the National Dialogue statement to help renew a connection with national early childhood organizations and give them a place to voice their concerns.

• Creating policy forums and workshops with NAECY for professionals in the field to voice their questions and concerns for needs (O'Leary, 2019).

Amy also had the opportunity to step outside of America and glean information from other countries and their early childcare programs internationally. Amy was able to visit Italy, Ireland, Guatemala, and South Africa to gain more insight into how other countries internationally tackle similar issues American early childhood educators may also be fighting.

Continued Contributions

Amy O'Leary continues to be a strong advocate for early childhood education. She continues to serve at Boston's Wheelock College and Worcester's Quinsigamond Community College as an adjunct professor. She also has a membership with the Early Literacy Panel of Massachusetts, and the Birth to Grade 3 Advisory Group in Massachusetts. She is a part of the Care Advisory Committee in the Massachusetts Department of Education. She still participates in national and state conferences when given the opportunity and helps advocate for other state legislators (NAEYC, 2022). As a continued advisor for advocates in early childhood education, Amy has noted the following tips to help guide others in her field (O'Leary, 2020) :

• Take note of who represents your early childhood educator team within your state. Write down their names and reach out to them when in need of assistance.

• Build a connection with elected officials who represent a voice for your field. Invite them to visit your classrooms and schools to understand pressing needs so they can visually understand why it is essential to have their assistance.

• Choose adequate professional development opportunities to become a leader in your field. Find ways to grow as a leader. Present at conferences, lead meetings, and workshops, serve on school boards, and participate in work opportunities that will strengthen your skills.

• Simply ask questions to become more knowledgeable about the systems that craft early childcare in your community. When you do not understand why policies are put in place or if other ideas could be put forward- speak up.

• Be a life-long learner. Try to stay abreast of issues and trends happening in the field of early childhood education.

• Imagine yourself on an educational board and what impact you could make for your community. Read information about elections and debates and thoughtfully vote for your needs.

• Work out how you can fit in as an advocate for early childhood education as an educator. Ask for assistance from others on your path.

• Furthermore, believe you have an impact on youth and their future.

A quote from Amy O'Leary in a Young Children Publication (O'Leary, 2020) exemplifies her power to uplift peers to fight for healthy, effective care in early education. She states: “The day is today, the time is now, and the right person for the thing that needs doing is you! We need you to be bold, effective, thoughtful advocates. If not you, if not all of us, then who?”

References

NAEYC. (2022) Amy O'Leary. https://www.naeyc.org/amy-oleary-0

O'Leary, A. (2018). Empowering early educators. YC Young Children, 73(3), 50-53.

O'Leary, A. (2019). Leadership development: Making room at the table. YC Young Children, 74(1), 52-55.

O'Leary, A. (2020). We are the ones we have been waiting for. YC Young Children, 75(2), 44-48.

O'Leary, A. (2020). Where will your passion for early education take you? YC Young Children, 75(1), 52-56.

Walker-DeVose, D., Evanshen, P. A., Loch, T., & O'Leary, A. (2019). Supporting early educators in higher education: Celebrating bright spots of progress, acknowledging the work that still needs to be done and developing a plan for ACTION.