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From Gloria Davis, SCC-CAAEYC President
A Season of Leadership: Learning, Connection, and Wellness
Dear SCC-CAAEYC Members and Early Childhood Community,
Welcome to the fall season of new beginnings, renewed energy, and fresh opportunities to learn,
connect, reflect, and grow together.
As children return to classrooms and early learning environments across Southern California, I want to recognize and celebrate our early childhood educators. You welcome children and families, create nurturing learning environments, build meaningful relationships, and lay the foundation for lifelong learning. Thank you for the passion, patience, professionalism, and care you bring to this important work every day.
As we care for children, families, staff, and communities, we must also remember to care for ourselves. Wellness is not separate from leadership; it is essential to sustaining our ability to serve, lead, and make a difference. At every stage of life and throughout every stage of our careers, we must make space for reflection, renewal, resilience, and personal well-being.
This summer, the Southern California Chapter of CAAEYC held a successful 2026–2027 Annual Board Retreat, themed Leading Together: Building Capacity, Connection, and Impact.
Our Board came together for Real People • Real Time • Real Conversations to strengthen relationships, reaffirm our mission, review organizational policies and leadership responsibilities, and establish our priorities for the year ahead.
Most importantly, we developed our 2026–2027 SMART Goals and action plans. Now, our focus shifts from planning to implementation. Through our Committees, Satellite Communities, professional development opportunities, and partnerships, we are committed to turning our goals into meaningful action and measurable results.
Coming Together for Professional Learning and Wellness.
We are excited to continue the year with two professional development opportunities presented in collaboration with Quality Start Los Angeles (QSLA) and the Southern California Chapter of CAAEYC.
The first was held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM at the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF).
This special morning of learning and connection brought together early childhood professionals for engaging presentations focused on self-care, wellness, resilience, and professional well-being.
Our presenters were Nikita Gupta, MPH, Educator and Resilience Expert, and Luz Chacón, Wellness Coach and Consultant. This event reminded us that caring for others begins with recognizing and supporting our own well-being.
Our second professional development opportunity is the Director’s Toolbox Training: From the Inside Out, scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026, from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM at The California Endowment Center. More information on Director's Toolbox coming soon.
The Power of Reflection and Self-Awareness, presented by Dr. Jill M. Bella, will provide early childhood directors and leaders with an opportunity to look inward, reflect on their leadership practices, and strengthen the awareness needed to lead others effectively.
Leadership truly begins from the inside out. Through reflection, intentional practice, and meaningful conversation, participants will explore how greater self-awareness can strengthen decision-making, relationships, communication, resilience, and organizational leadership.
A Call to Action: Care for Yourself as You Care for Others.
As early childhood professionals, we spend so much of our time giving to others. This fall, I encourage each of us to commit to wellness.
Make time to pause. Reflect. Rest. Reconnect. Ask for support when needed. Create healthy boundaries. Celebrate progress. Stay connected to people who encourage, support, and strengthen you. Caring for yourself is not stepping away from work; it sustains you in the work.
Wellness must remain a priority throughout every stage of life and every stage of our professional journey. When we care for ourselves, we are better prepared to care for others, lead with purpose, and create healthy environments where children, families, educators, and communities can thrive.
As we move forward in 2026–2027, I encourage you to stay connected and actively involved with SCC-CAAEYC. Attend a professional development event, participate in a Committee or Satellite Community, invite a colleague to join us, and share your knowledge, experience, and leadership with others. Our strength comes from our people and from what we accomplish when we work together.
Let us make this a year of leadership, learning, connection, wellness, and impact for ourselves, our profession, and, most importantly, the young children and families we serve.
Care for yourself. Care for others. Lead with purpose. Stay well.
With appreciation and continued commitment,
Gloria J. Davis, M.A., Interim President
Southern California Chapter – CAAEYC
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