Skye Young

Skye Young from Cypress, California, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Hope International University in Fullerton. She went on to obtain her Special Education teaching credential from California State University, Dominguez Hills, where she also completed her induction program. In May, she will graduate with a Master’s degree in Special Education from Dominguez Hills—proudly cheering, “Go Toros!”

Currently, Skye teaches in Long Beach in a collaborative classroom setting that integrates both general education and special education students, reflecting her commitment to inclusive and supportive learning environments.

Tanya Flushman

As Co-Director of the CSU Center for the Advancement of Reading and Writing, Dr. Tanya Flushman collaborates with faculty across the CSU system to strengthen literacy instruction statewide. With expertise in early childhood language and literacy development, she helps future and current teachers translate research into meaningful classroom practice.   A former elementary teacher in both California and Mexico, she brings a global perspective and a deep understanding of the teaching profession. Dr. Flushman has a PhD in Language, Literacy and Culture from Vanderbilt University.

Rachelle Bacong

With 29 years of dedicated service in early elementary education, Rachelle is a passionate Transitional Kindergarten teacher in San Diego County. She spent the last 12 years nurturing young minds in TK.   Rachelle is committed to creating a supporting, engaging, and inclusive environment, where she emphasizes play-based learning and social emotional development. Her experience and warmth creates a love of learning in a classroom community where every child feels welcomed, safe, and honored. 

Dr. E'Leva Gibson 

Teaching Credentials and Innovation Center for Excellence in ECE, Sac State University and former Assistant Superintendent for Sac City USD and San Francisco USD.

Kristina Brower

Kristina Brower holds a B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development from San Francisco State University and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from California State University, East Bay. She has dedicated more than 25 years to the San Mateo County Community College District, where she currently serves as faculty and faculty coordinator of the Education and Human Development Program at Cañada College. Kristina’s work is grounded in the belief that education is a transformative tool for both individuals and communities. She continues to focus on building programs that support student success, equity, and workforce readiness in the field of education.

Co-Chairs

Hilary Seitz

Hilary Seitz, PhD, (she/her) supports statewide efforts related to early learning and the new PK-3 Early Childhood Education credential.  Dr. Seitz is also a Professor Emerita in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alaska Anchorage, where she held various positions, including Professor, Chair of Teaching and Learning, and Associate Dean of the College.  She worked closely with the Alaska Department of Education, School Districts, and Early Childhood Stakeholders to develop the P-3rd grade Early Childhood Teaching License/Credential (delivered statewide via distance technologies) and other pathways for early educators and students. She taught various courses, including Early Literacy Foundations, STEAM Methods, Observation and Documentation, and Culturally Responsive Family and Community Engagement, to name a few of her favorites. Before her university work, she was an early childhood teacher in public Pre-K and primary grades for 17+ years.  Her research areas have focused on curriculum and assessment, making learning visible, family and community engagement, STEAM practices for young children, and integrating culturally relevant early literacy practices into the classroom.

Lindsay Meeker

Dr. Lindsay Meeker (She/Her/Hers) is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood and Literacy at California State University, Fresno. Her expertise includes early literacy, multilingual education, bilingual programming in birth-to-five settings, play-based learning, equity, and educator workforce development. She is a contributing author of the CSU Early Childhood COLLAB, Illinois State Literacy Framework. She has served as a workgroup invited member on statewide early childhood standards development and redesign of prior learning assessments for the early childhood workforce, including integrating virtual reality experiences. Nationally, Dr. Meeker collaborates with the Migration Policy Institute and the Latino Policy Forum (IL); locally, she serves on Fresno County’s Early Stars Committee and the EL-WIN Work Group. Over the past five years, she has secured over $15 million in competitive grants, leading projects that expand dual language preschool, build diverse teacher pipelines, strengthen community-based training, and develop parent mentor initiatives. A former teacher and Early Childhood, Special Education, and EL/Bilingual director, she bridges research, practice, and policy to advance equitable outcomes for children and families and contribute to a highly qualified and passionate Early Childhood teacher workforce.

Maria Fusaro

Maria Fusaro, Ed.D., is a Professor of Child and Adolescent Development and co-Founder of the Early Childhood Institute at San José State University.  She earned her doctorate in Human Development and Psychology at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, with an emphasis on early childhood development. Her research explores social processes involved in young children’s learning, and preservice early childhood teachers’ caregiving beliefs, attitudes, and practices. Through her work with the PK-3 ECE credential program at SJSU, she seeks to ensure that early childhood teachers are well prepared to support the learning and development of all young children.

Wendy Hernandez

Wendy Hernandez is the P-3 Alignment Executive Leadership Coach for the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (FCSS).  With over 30 years of experience in early education, Wendy promotes equity, reform, and quality education for all children.  She started her career in education as a Special Education Instructional Aide. After earning a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential, she served as a K-8 teacher for 15 years. She was then promoted as an Instructional Coach, and then a Site and District Administrator. As principal, she led the transformation of a rural school serving predominantly high-poverty, dual-language learners. These students became the district's top readers and received the California Gold Ribbon Award.  Wendy is the chairperson of the Local Planning Council of Fresno County, and a fellow for the Center for District Innovation and Leadership.  

Renee Marshall

Renée Marshall has served as the Administrator of Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher Preparation at the Commission since 2022, where she supports work related to the Child Development Permit, the PK3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential, and the CalFTPA. Renée comes from the California Community College Teacher Preparation Programs, where she spent 15 years operationalizing teacher preparation at the campus, region, and state levels. Renee served as faculty and administration in the community college system, taught preschool, elementary, and middle school, and supported current and future teachers as a teacher mentor and teacher leader. Ms. Marshall holds a MA in Education, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and a BA in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz. She holds a MA in Education Leadership and Policy Studies and an Administrative Services Credential from CSU Northridge.

Co-Chairs: 

Hilary Seitz

Hilary Seitz, PhD, (she/her) supports statewide efforts related to early learning and the new PK-3 Early Childhood Education credential.  Dr. Seitz is also a Professor Emerita in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alaska Anchorage, where she held various positions, including Professor, Chair of Teaching and Learning, and Associate Dean of the College.  She worked closely with the Alaska Department of Education, School Districts, and Early Childhood Stakeholders to develop the P-3rd grade Early Childhood Teaching License/Credential (delivered statewide via distance technologies) and other pathways for early educators and students. She taught various courses, including Early Literacy Foundations, STEAM Methods, Observation and Documentation, and Culturally Responsive Family and Community Engagement, to name a few of her favorites. Before her university work, she was an early childhood teacher in public Pre-K and primary grades for 17+ years.  Her research areas have focused on curriculum and assessment, making learning visible, family and community engagement, STEAM practices for young children, and integrating culturally relevant early literacy practices into the classroom.

Linday Meeker

Dr. Lindsay Meeker (She/Her/Hers) is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood and Literacy at California State University, Fresno. Her expertise includes early literacy, multilingual education, bilingual programming in birth-to-five settings, play-based learning, equity, and educator workforce development. She is a contributing author of the CSU Early Childhood COLLAB, Illinois State Literacy Framework. She has served as a workgroup invited member on statewide early childhood standards development and redesign of prior learning assessments for the early childhood workforce, including integrating virtual reality experiences. Nationally, Dr. Meeker collaborates with the Migration Policy Institute and the Latino Policy Forum (IL); locally, she serves on Fresno County’s Early Stars Committee and the EL-WIN Work Group. Over the past five years, she has secured over $15 million in competitive grants, leading projects that expand dual language preschool, build diverse teacher pipelines, strengthen community-based training, and develop parent mentor initiatives. A former teacher and Early Childhood, Special Education, and EL/Bilingual director, she bridges research, practice, and policy to advance equitable outcomes for children and families and contribute to a highly qualified and passionate Early Childhood teacher workforce.