Who we are
The Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children is the Oregon state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and is made up of members from across the early childhood field, including teachers, program leaders, faculty, family child care providers, students, and advocates. As a member-driven organization, ORAEYC represents and is shaped by the voices and experiences of its members, with leadership provided by a volunteer governing board and engagement supported through local chapters across the state.
GOVERNING BOARD
Executive Committee
Danielle Cunningham, President
Amy Luhn, President Elect
Guadalupe Meza-Burks, Vice President
Merrily Haas, Treasurer
Karissa Bent, Secretary
Eileen Mickie-Johnson, Member-at-Large
Chapter Represetnatives
Elvia Vargas, Estamos Aqui
Karren Andrews, Klamath
Mary-Margaret Stockert, South Coast
Nancy Seward, Southern Oregon
Stephanie Gilbert, Mid-Valley
Tracy Bogard, Weaving our Way
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
R. Taylor, Ed. D.
With three decades of experience in early childhood education, Dr. Taylor began her career as a classroom teacher and home visitor, later serving as a faculty member and administrator of early childhood programs, and as a community college dean. She holds a doctorate in Education Leadership from Portland State University and a master’s in education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University, St. Paul. Her work has focused on supporting families, advancing early childhood education programs, and building community partnerships to improve outcomes for children. A passionate advocate for educators, she serves on numerous local, state, and national boards. She is currently a Commissioner with NAEYC's Higher Education Accreditation System.
Established in the 1940’s as the Portland Association for Nursery Education (PANE). Under the guidance of 1947 President Elizabeth H. Wright, PANE attracted teachers, childcare workers, pediatric nurses, and others interested in the development of young children. The membership fee was a mere $2 per year. In 1958, the Oregon groups unified as Oregon Association for Nursery Education (OANE), affiliating with the National ANE as well. With a larger membership base, OANE became more active. It voiced its opinions and concerns in legislature, meeting with the Governor’s Committee and lobbying for more preschool regulation. The biannual conferences still held today began in those early years and attracted as many as 120 people at a time. In 1966, after a nationwide reorganization process, OANE became the Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children. It received its Articles of Incorporation in 1970 and nonprofit status in 1971. With 255 members, more than double the number of ten years before, the association focused on professionalism and visibility. Taking a stronger stand in public policy, OAEYC successfully lobbied for an early childhood education endorsement on elementary education certificates. OAEYC reached both internally and externally in the 1990’s. A new Diversity/Equity Committee supported a movement towards anti-bias practices. Diversity Leadership Institutes were held to train members, increasing their awareness of culturally sensitive issues. OAEYC joined the Worthy Wage Coalition in 1993, working to require fair compensation for child care workers. This drive for higher wages was coupled with efforts to increase credibility and visibility, and OAEYC took a bigger interest in advocacy. With strong support from groups such as OAEYC, in 1987 the Oregon legislature passed two packages affecting early education: a statewide career development system to address wages and training for early education teachers, and the “Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century.” In 1997 a twelve-bill legislative package calling for higher standards in all aspects of childcare was passed. Today, the Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children has approximately 450 members and a growing network of regional chapters, along with interest-based communities such as Weaving Our Ways and Estamos Aquí. The organization relaunched its statewide conference in 2025 with the ECE Summit and maintains an active presence in public policy and advocacy. ORAEYC is focused on adding meaningful value for its members and chapters through connection, professional development, and statewide engagement in support of the early childhood workforce. |