GAEYC Technical Assistance Specialist of the Year

The GAEYC Technical Assistance Specialist of the Year award is given to an outstanding individual who works individually with child care centers and/or family child care homes to help them improve the quality of their care.

Award Criteria

Recipients of the GAEYC Technical Assistance Specialist of the Year award must meet the following criteria:

  • Outstanding work with child care centers and/or family child care providers to assist them in improving the quality of their child care program

  • Well versed and up-to-date on child care rules and regulations, developmentally appropriate practices, NAEYC accreditation standards and criteria, and available quality improvement designations, such as but not limited to, NAEYC Accreditation, Quality Rated, and other accreditations

  • Relates well to a variety of people, demonstrates sensitivity to cultural differences, and customizes technical assistance to meet the individual improvement needs of each program

  • Provides technical assistance that enables the child care program to understand best practices and make decisions on their own to sustain quality improvement changes after the TA has ended

Recipients of the GAEYC Technical Assistance Specialist of the Year award

  • 2022: Leticia Arrazola-Kinslow

  • 2021: Tynesha Terrell-Rowland

  • 2020: Rebecca Lehto

  • 2019: Monica Natoli

  • 2018: Victoria Lynn Long-Coleman

  • 2017: Amanda Blizard

  • 2016: Emily Meadows

  • 2015: Andrea McFarland

  • 2014: Allegra Jackson

  • 2013: Allison Setterlind

  • 2012: Tameka Cummings

  • 2011: Beth Holland

  • 2010: Heather Allen

  • 2009: Joquetta Taylor

  • 2008: Benita Adejube-Mullins

  • 2007: Devanie Schay

  • 2006: Ruby Phillips