Salary Scale Toolkit Contributors

Salary Scale Toolkit Contributors

This project was made possible with support from

Ashley Allen

Ashley Allen is the Work Environment and Compensation Coordinator with EQuIPD (Education, Quality Improvement, and Professional Development) at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and serves as the Institute’s assistant treasurer, co-chair of the Institute’s Workforce Compensation Workgroup, and serves on the Institute’s Fund Development Committee. She has worked extensively with early childhood professionals to improve the quality of the adult work environment, which research directly links to staff well-being and ultimately, the quality of care for young children. Her role bridges communication between early childhood educators needs and policy decisions that best meet those needs collectively. Ashley also serves as adjunct faculty at Stanly Community College, Greensboro College, and UNCG. She completed her Birth through Kindergarten licensure, English & Visual Arts degrees, her Masters of Education, and currently focuses on her doctoral work – all from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Ashley works on projects and committees locally and at the state level with the sole purpose of highlighting the value of early childhood educators and bringing more attention and resources to the field.

Erin Speer Smith has been in the Early Childhood Education field for over 20 years serving in roles working directly with children and families as a floater, assistant teacher, lead teacher, child care center administrator and Child Life Specialist (in hospital settings). In addition, she has spent many years in roles supporting the ECE workforce including a Child Care Resource & Referral Provider/TA Specialist, and in the NC Community College System (NCCCS) as an Early Childhood Education faculty instructor in local community colleges, Director of Allied Health and Education Programs at Johnston Community College and at the NCCCS office as the state’s Early Childhood and Public Services Program Coordinator. Erin graduated with her B.S. in Human Development-Child Care Teaching & Administration from Radford University and her M.A. in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College. Erin currently assists the Institute in coordinating various activities and serves on the Higher Education Workgroup and the Outreach & Public Awareness Committee. She also serves on the Higher Education Accreditation team at NAEYC as the Training Specialist. She, her husband and three daughters live in Wake Forest, NC.

Sue Russell

Sue Russell has recently retired as Executive Director of the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® National Center which helps states implement effective workforce strategies to create education, compensation, retention and career pathways for their early care and education workforce. Sue had over 50 years of experience in the early childhood profession, as the President/CEO of Child Care Services Association, a policy consultant with the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education, a child care coordinator with the Orange County Department of Social Services and as an early childhood educator at the Community School for People Under Six. Her work includes successful national workforce initiatives like T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® and Child Care WAGE$®. She has worked on the development and implementation of effective policies and systems to improve access to high quality early childhood programs for all children, and led research teams on numerous studies of the early childhood workforce, the early care and education system and access issues for children from families with low incomes and infants and toddlers. She continues to serve on numerous state and national boards and committees and has served terms as both President and Treasurer of the NAEYC Governing Board. Sue currently serves the Institute on the Executive Committee as Past President of the organization as well as serves on the Institute’s Fund Development Committee.

Florianna J. Thompson

Florianna Justice Thompson, also known as Flo, started with Wake Tech as an Early Childhood Education, Instructor in January 2000. She holds a BSHS in Family Relations and Child Development from North Carolina Central University; M.Ed. from Strayer University. Flo has over 44 years of experience in Early Care and Education. Prior to coming to Wake Tech, Flo worked as a Program Coordinator with Wake County Smart Start, Assistant Director Kidworks Child Care at Wake Med, Early Arrival Coordinator and 3rd grade TA at Fuller Elementary School, and many other roles in childcare. A frequently called upon presenter and advisor for early childhood issues and diversity training. Flo brings expertise in promoting diversity in personnel preparation in the field of early childhood and in supporting learning for culturally, linguistically, and experientially diverse adult learners. Flo has worked in a variety of roles with a focus on children and families as teachers, director, consultant, advocate, presenter, and parent. She serves on the Institute’s Compensation Workgroup. A native of North Carolina her vision is to awaken the sleeping village and restore the old African Proverb, “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” And her favorite e-mail closing? Smile.

Rosemarie Vardell

Content Expert Validators

Anna Mercer-McLean

Kristi Snuggs

Sheila Hoyle

Kristi Snuggs

Videography & Voice Actors

Tom Lipscomb (lead)

Ashley Allen

Cassandra Lowe Williams

Taylor Moore