Name: Susan Harlan

Chapter: Monroe County AEYC

Professional Position:

Professor of Early Childhood Education, East Stroudsburg University

Professional Goals:

Continue work on improving the quality of Early Childhood Teacher education using NAEYC standards.

Educational Background:

Bachelors in Sociology from Millersville, Early Childhood Teacher Certification from Penn State, Masters in ECE from Marywood, Doctorate in Early Childhood with a concentration in Early Intervention from Rutgers

AEYC Involvement:

Co founder and past president of LANAEYC

Past Vice-President and Treasurer of PennAEYC

Program Reviewer for NAEYC

NAEYC representative on NCATE Board of Examiners

Family:

I have been married for 26 years, and we have two daughters ages 23 and 19.

Personal interests: 

I spend a lot of my non-work time watching my daughters figure skate. My oldest skates Singles and Pairs, and I enjoy going with her to local and national competitions.

Why do you do this work? 

Ever since my first days as a student interning in Lancaster Head Start, I have appreciated the difference a quality early childhood experience could have on a child and their family.  Today I love when students say to me “I immediately thought of you” when they see something in a classroom (good or bad).  I believe that this means that they have gotten my message of understanding and compassion and that they will become the kind of teacher that will make a difference.

Why are you an AEYC member?

In my work on NAEYC’s Teacher Education Review panel and in the training sessions I have done for NAEYC on this topic, I feel that I am helping to improve teacher education programs throughout the country which by extension improves the quality of the experiences of families and children.

Favorite AEYC benefits:

I enjoy the professional connections I make through NAEYC. These connections always broaden my outlook on issues, inspire me to learn more and remind me why I love this field.

Nominated by:  person wishes to remain anonymous