The Kansas Change Team is a collaborative group of leaders and partners working to strengthen and advance early childhood career pathways across the state. As one of only four states selected to receive intensive technical assistance from the National Early Childhood & Education Workforce Center, Kansas is leading systems-change efforts focused on creating clearer, more accessible pathways for recognizing prior learning, professional experience, and non-credit training within the early childhood workforce. Through cross-sector collaboration, shared learning, and long-term strategic planning, the Change Team is helping shape a more connected and equitable professional development system for Kansas early childhood professionals.
Partnerships power progress. Thank you to KCCTO for their in-kind website support in providing an online place to share the work of the Kansas Change Team.
Meet the Team
The Kansas Change Team was intentionally built as a cross-sector group of partners and leaders representing multiple perspectives across the early childhood system. By bringing together diverse experiences, expertise, and connections, the team is able to strengthen collaboration, identify shared opportunities, and support meaningful systems change that reflects the needs of Kansas’ early childhood workforce.
- Stephanie Parks / Co-Lead, Associate Director, Career Pathway at KCCTO
- Darcy Hoke / Co-Lead, CCDF Program Initiatives Manager, DCF
- Melissa Schoenberger, Early Childhood Systems Specialist, KCCTF
- Lorrena Kravitcz, Workforce Support Coordinator, KCCTO
- Amanda Poyser, Director of Family Connections & Community Impact, CCA
- Sherron Field, Career Pathway Coordinator, KCCTO
- Heather Campbell, Education Program Consultant, KSDE
- Jennifer Burgardt, Workforce Systems Coordinator, KDHE
- Chelsea Kusmec, Career Navigator, KCCTO
- KellyAnn Bonnell, Instructor, Coordinator, Barton County Community College
- Cathy Gray, Chair, Early Childhood Education, Butler Community College
- Mikaela Haendler, Infant Toddler Professional Development Specialist, KCCTO
- Tara Glanton, Lead PDS/Director Support Manager, KCCTO
Updates
YOUR VOICE, OUR ACTION: Building Career Pathways That Recognize Experience
Real systems change happens when the voices and experiences of the workforce help shape the path forward.
By recognizing prior learning, professional experience, and non-credit training as valuable parts of higher education and career advancement, Kansas has an opportunity to create more accessible and meaningful pathways for early childhood professionals. Whether you have an idea, experience, question, or passion for this work, your perspective matters. Change makers help build stronger connections between learning, experience, and opportunity - creating a system where educators feel seen, supported, and empowered to continue growing in their careers.
Complete the form below to share your thoughts, express interest in the work, ask questions or connect with the Kansas Change Team.