From First-Grade Dreams to Statewide Systems Change: Brenda’s Journey in Early Childhood Education

Published October 14, 2025 as a part of the Career Exploration Tool: Stories from the Field series. This series of stories brings to life the many pathways members of Michigan’s early care and education field have taken to achieve their goals, nurture their interests, and achieve success.

Brenda started her career in an early childhood center, eventually stepping into the role of Assistant Director. She then spent eight years teaching in a PreK classroom—what was then the Michigan School Readiness Program (MSRP), now known as the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP). From there, her leadership continued to grow: she became an Early Childhood Specialist, then the Early Childhood Contact for her Intermediate School District (ISD), a role she held for a decade.

Today, Brenda serves as a Lead Education Consultant at the Michigan Department of Education, working directly with GSRP at the state level. Her days are filled with advocacy, problem-solving, and strategic collaboration. She drafts statewide guidance, meets with ISDs and national partners, and supports early childhood programs through technical assistance, thoughtful policy development, and human connection.

What excites her most? “Connecting and helping others,” she says. Whether she’s supporting a teammate, partnering with an ISD, or learning from colleagues across the country, Brenda believes in the power of relationships to strengthen early childhood systems.

At the core of everything she does are children and families. Every decision she makes is grounded in a single question: “How does this impact the child?” Whether developing guidance or advocating for program quality, Brenda remains focused on helping every child thrive in a high-quality, play-based PreK program that nurtures the whole child.

The road hasn’t always been easy. One of the biggest challenges she’s faced is defending the value of early childhood education—particularly when it’s misunderstood as separate from the broader educational journey. But Brenda has found that the challenge itself is also what makes the work so deeply meaningful.

“This work,” she says, “helped me raise my own four children and advocate for what was developmentally appropriate. It’s also connected me with incredible colleagues who inspire me to keep advocating for all children—no matter their background.”

Along the way, Brenda has grown in ways she never imagined. Once a shy and reserved student, she now speaks confidently in front of large audiences and helps shape state-level early learning policy. With two master’s degrees—one in early childhood and one in educational leadership—she has built both the expertise and the courage to lead boldly.

Her professional learning never stops. Brenda continues to engage in both statewide and national opportunities, most recently completing a nine-month Leadership Academy with the National Association of State Leaders in Early Education. She brings the knowledge back to her team in Michigan, ensuring that national best practices are translated into local impact.

Her advice to new professionals is full of hope and heart: “Aim for the sky. You never know where your journey will take you, who you will meet, or what you will be doing. Keep believing in yourself, dreaming big, and advocating for what is best for children and families.”

Brenda doesn’t point to a single moment to explain why she loves this work. Instead, she recalls a thousand small but powerful ones: a child’s smile in a classroom, a parent finding their voice, a teacher showing up with purpose, an administrator advocating for what’s needed.

“These,” she says, “are the real stories behind why I do what I do.”

Brenda’s story is a testament to what’s possible when passion meets persistence—and when one person dares to lead with heart in service of Michigan’s youngest learners.