Summer Newsletter

From Gloria Davis, SCC-CAAEYC President

President's Message of Reflection, Celebration, and Moving Ahead

As we bring another remarkable year to a close, I am filled with gratitude, pride, and optimism for the future of our profession and our organization. This year has been one of growth, learning, advocacy, and celebration as we continued our commitment to supporting early childhood educators, children, and families.

One of the highlights of our year was celebrating the Week of the Young Child®, a special time dedicated to recognizing the importance of early learning, young children, their families, and the educators who make a difference every day. Across our communities, we witnessed creativity, joy, and meaningful engagement that reminded us why our work matters. The smiles, laughter, and learning experiences shared this week reinforced the power of quality early childhood education and its lasting impact on children's lives.

We also proudly celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week, honoring the extraordinary educators who nurture, inspire, and guide young learners each day. Early childhood educators are the foundation of lifelong learning. Their dedication, patience, and commitment deserve recognition not only during a designated week but throughout the entire year. To every teacher, administrator, coach, and support professional, thank you for the invaluable work you do on behalf of children and families.

Another significant milestone this year was participating in the CAAEYC Annual Conference, where early childhood professionals gathered to learn, network, share best practices, and strengthen our collective voice. Conferences such as these remind us that we are part of a larger movement committed to advancing excellence in early childhood education. The knowledge gained, partnerships formed, and inspiration shared will continue to benefit our programs and communities long after the conference concludes.

As we celebrate our accomplishments, we also recognize a historic moment for our profession. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is celebrating 100 years of leadership, advocacy, and service. For a century, NAEYC has championed high-quality early learning, supported educators, and elevated the importance of early childhood education across the nation. This milestone is not only a celebration of the organization's history but also a call to continue the work of ensuring that every child has access to equitable, high-quality learning experiences.



As we reflect on this year's achievements, let us also look ahead with purpose and determination. The future of early childhood education depends on strong leaders, engaged members, and a shared commitment to excellence. Together, we will continue to advocate for children, support families, strengthen our profession, and build a brighter future for generations to come.

Thank you for your dedication, your service, and your passion for young children. It is an honor to serve alongside each of you.

With gratitude and appreciation,

Gloria J. Davis, M.A., President

Southern California Chapter

California Association for the Education of Young Children (SCC-CAAEYC)

Spotlight on Educator Excellence

Wendy Peel-Hubbard is a dedicated leader, educator, trainer, and advocate with more than three decades of experience in early childhood education, instructional leadership, and professional development. Her career reflects a steadfast commitment to improving outcomes for children, families, and the educators who serve them.

Wendy began her journey in education as a Teacher Aide before advancing to become an Early Education Teacher and later an Early Education Principal with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her ability to develop educators, build collaborative teams, and create high-quality learning environments that support children’s growth and success.

In addition to her school leadership roles, Wendy has served as an Adjunct Instructor at

the community college level, helping prepare future educators for the field. She has also

mentored both principals and teachers, providing coaching and guidance to support leadership development and instructional excellence.

A passionate advocate for professional learning, Wendy developed the Early Education Teacher Cadre for LAUSD Region East, creating opportunities for educators to strengthen their instructional practices and leadership skills. Her expertise as a trainer, facilitator, and consultant has allowed her to support educators and organizations across a variety of settings.

Wendy’s leadership extends beyond the classroom and school site. She served as President of the Organization of Early Education Principals (formerly the Organization of Early Education Center Principals), where she championed initiatives that supported early childhood leaders throughout the region. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Los Angeles Metro Satellite of the Southern California Chapter of the California Association for the Education of Young Children (SCCCAAEYC) and as Vice President of Membership for SCCCAAEYC, helping strengthen professional networks and advance the field of early childhood education.



Today, Wendy continues to share her expertise as an educational consultant, trainer, and facilitator through her consulting business Peel-Hubbard Education Solutions, partnering with educators, leaders, and organizations to build capacity, foster excellence, and improve outcomes for children and families. Her mission remains centered on empowering those who serve young children and creating lasting, positive change in education and communities.

Not a member? Wish you were?

Join now at https://www.naeyc.org/get-involved/membership/join

Cultivating Relationships: A Conference to Remember

By Kathleen Pompey, SCC State Director to the CAAEYC Board

The Southern California Chapter (SCC) State Director serves as a liaison to the CAAEYC Board of Directors and holds a position on both boards, allowing the SCC Board representative to submit a written report regarding the chapter, attend CAAEYC Board Meetings, and represent SCC at the annual Conference.  

The primary role of SCC is to provide a range of educational and inspirational programming to chapter members and the greater Los Angeles early childhood education community. The state conference, especially when nearby, is a tremendous boost to that goal. 

Additionally, all CAAEYC Board Members volunteer at the annual conference. In my role, I assisted at the CAAEYC Saturday morning membership meeting and then at the CAAEYC Hub in the Exhibit Hall. Both were amazing networking opportunities, and I supported members by answering questions and providing information. I highly recommend volunteering at the conference. It’s easy, it’s fun, and it provides CAAEYC with the additional “hands on deck!” It goes without saying that each workshop and conference offering was a stellar learning opportunity that instilled the energy and enthusiasm necessary to become a vibrant, well-versed member of the early childhood education community, actively serving a wide range of families in our area.

The CAAEYC President, Dr. Shera Scott, inspired us with these words: 

“Our theme, Cultivating Relationships: Children, Families, Educators in Community, captures the essence of our work. Relationships are the soil in which learning takes root. When children feel connected, when families feel welcomed, and when educators feel supported, we create communities where every child can thrive. The conference is designed to nurture those connections. “

For the many who work with Transitional Kindergarten Programs in your schools, it is time to mark your calendars for the very popular CAAEYC TK INSTITUTE at the Marriott in Los Angeles on November 6-7, 2026. 

The next state conference is in Santa Clara. Save the date: April 16-18, 2027.

For even more information about future events, visit caeyc.org.