Welcome to X Why Z: Reflections from Early Childhood Education Professionals

A DIEEC Podcast Dedicated to the Early Childhood Education Community

The podcast is hosted by DIEEC staff, Irene Ashe and Meg Keating. Each episode, released on the last Friday of every month, will feature a different guest, some from our Delaware early childhood education community and some from across the country, who will share their unique perspectives on important topics.

Episode 5: “A Seat at the Table” feat. Jerletha McDonald

Erika Vidal portrait

Jerletha McDonald is a social entrepreneur, family child care business consultant, national speaker and visual podcast host of The Jerletha McDonald Show: Everything Childcare. She has also owned and operated a family child care center for 15 years prior to her work today. McDonald is a prominent figure in her community by providing the necessary resources for family child care businesses and has a special interest in economic security and leadership development of women and girls.

Episode 5 available now! Listen below.


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This season will include guests:

Dr. Calvin E. Moore, Jr. – CEO, Council for Professional Recognition

Chrishana Lloyd – Research Scholar, Child Trends

Yvette Sanchez Fuentes – Vice President of National Policy, Start Early

Jerletha McDonald – National Family Child Care Advocate & Business Consultant

Rhondalin Cannon-Tingle – Rhonda’s Little Angels Daycare and Preschool 

Colleen Millman – Delaware Technical Community College Child Development Center

Sarah Reyes – ECE Program Owner & Administrator (Seeds of Jesus Daycare)

Erika Vidal – Family Child Care Program Owner & Educator (Fabiana’s Place)

Corsica Jones – Redding Program Coach, Early Childhood Educator (A Leap of Faith CDC)

Patti Lynch – Professional Development Resource Center (PDRC) Coordinator, Wilmington Early Care & Education Council (WECEC)

Tina Thomas – Family Child Care Veteran, DIEEC Family Child Care Networks Coordinator

Bookmark this page and check back each month for new episode releases.

Past Episodes:

Season 1, Episode 1: “Making Connections” feat. Yvette Sanchez Fuentes

Yvette Sanchez Fuentes currently serves as the vice president of national policy at Start Early and previously held the position of associate secretary with the Delaware Department of Education.

She’s done extensive work in the field including former positions as deputy chief for policy and research at Child Care Aware of America, president of the National Alliance for Hispanic Families, and director of the federal Office of Head Start within the Department of Health and Human Services.

Yvette has dedicated her professional career to understanding how policy, research and implementation impact lifelong outcomes for young children and their families struggling with adversities, including low-income families, migrant and seasonal farm workers, immigrant communities, American Indian and Alaska Natives, and dual language learners.

We loved speaking with Yvette and are appreciative of this meaningful conversation. We are excited for you to listen.

Listen Below!

Season 1, Episode 2: “DIEEC Educators of the Year” feat. Rhondalin Cannon-Tingle & Colleen Millman

Rhondalin Cannon-Tingle is the owner of Rhonda’s Little Angels Daycare and Preschool in Seaford, Del. where she specializes in preschool and kindergarten readiness, outdoor learning, and school-age programs. She is the 2022 recipient of the DIEEC Family Child Care Educator of the Year award.

Colleen Millman currently serves as a preschool classroom lead teacher at the Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC) Child Development Center (CDC) at the Georgetown campus. She is the 2022 recipient of the DIEEC Classroom Educator of the Year award.

Listen below!

Season 1, Episode 3: “Where the Classroom Meets the Research” feat. Chrishana M. Lloyd, PhD & Sarah Reyes

Chrishana M. Lloyd, Ph.D.

Lloyd currently serves as a research scholar for Child Trends in New Jersey. Child Trends “is the nation’s leading research organization focused exclusively on improving the lives of children and youth, especially those who are most vulnerable.”

Sarah Reyes

Reyes is currently the owner of Seeds of Jesus Daycare in Wilmington, DE. Her center is bi-lingual, offering teaching staff who speak both English and Spanish giving the children an enriching experience.

Listen below!

Episode 4: “Small Beginnings, Big Impact” feat. Erika Vidal

Erika Vidal portrait

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Erika Vidal is a family child care owner and educator based out of Bear, Delaware. With nearly two decades of experience, Erika is always eager to share her valuable insights on how small actions can lead to a big impact in the early childhood education field.

Listen below!

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