2023 Annual Report : simplebooklet.com

This year, an independent evaluation of LFC’s Humanity First Model affirmedwhat we knew all along: adults who engage in our mutual learningconversations feel like more capable agents of change, better positioned totackle failing systems and show up optimistically for our children. With thisfoundation of inner strength, equitable partnerships develop that promotesocial connectedness and a sense of common purpose. Stronger Adults =Stronger Children = Stronger Communities. Witnessing the warm, vibrant energy in a room where a mutual learningconversation is taking place grounds me in why I started LFC. Each of us wantsto be treated with kindness, empathy, and respect. We long to feel seen, heard,and valued, and LFC creates spaces to facilitate the human connection thatleads to deep learning and positive change. In conferences throughout thisyear, I’ve been approached by individuals with tears in their eyes, astonishedand grateful for the feeling they just experienced, often with a table ofstrangers, that they haven’t felt before in their careers. The potential for humanconnection is within all of us. It is the basis for stronger communities and betteroutcomes for children. Our work at LFC is simply to support communities intapping into their own power to access human connection so that they cansolve their unique challenges equitably and collaboratively. I hope you’ve noticed our beautiful new look and clarity of message. Thissignificant endeavor has successfully amplified our impact by helping peopleunderstand what’s important about our work. Looking back on 2023 at LFC, we are encouraged by how the many adultsreflecting diverse roles and experiences embrace the Humanity First Model tofind the courage and vulnerability to be leaders for children. Together, let’s support every child in learning kindness, empathy, and respectfor others. Humanity starts with each one of us. Warmly,Judy JablonExecutive Director2023 BOARD OFDIRECTORS Marneshia CatheyDirectorAndrew DavisChairMargo L. Dichtelmiller, PhDDirectorVik GuptaTreasurerJacqueline HazanDirectorChelsi JonesDirectorHarri MagaldiDirectorDana MasonDirectorAlison MasutaniDirectorLFC TEAMJudy JablonExecutive DirectorNichole ParksDeputy Executive DirectorGretchen HendersonChief of StaffJulia ConnollyDevelopment andCommunications AssociateAngela DuttonSenior Operations ManagerJonathan FribleySenior Program LeaderShannon NewmanSenior Program ManagerSerene StevensProgram LeaderSarah ZawackiAssistant Director of Impact &Outreach Dear Friends of LFC,At Leading for Children, our commitmentto learning with and from our communityhas contributed significantly to our growthover the last six years. This trend continuedin 2023, with exciting results. By attuningto our partners’ needs, we have refined ourcapacity as national early learningcollaborators and expanded our reach. Thisyear, using our innovative mutual learningmethod, our programs impacted 1,406adults that will result in better outcomesfor more than 22,500 children.012023 Annual Report

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LFC’s Introductory Workshops use the MutualLearning Method to build awareness and begin skilldevelopment around leadership and qualitypractices. Introductory WorkshopsYearinReviewLFC’s model results in adults cultivating self-empowerment, forging equitable partnerships, andtogether shaping thriving communities for children. LEADING FOR CHILDREN02October 2022 -AlabamaAt the Alabama Early Learning Conference, the LFCteam facilitated preconference workshops on the FiveCommitments and breakout sessions on equitablepartnerships between teachers and coaches as wellas the 11 Simple Rules. We also had the opportunity tohost an exhibit booth where we engaged attendeesin conversation and promoted the upcomingpublication of 11 Simple Rules to Create ThrivingCommunities for Children.March 2023 -WisconsinJudy presented the keynote address and aconference session at the Wisconsin Department ofPublic Instruction’s Promoting Early ChildhoodConference.April 2023 -North CarolinaJudy and Nichole presented at the 2023 Smart StartConference where they introduced the 11 Simple Rulesand engaged attendees in exploring how they look inpractice and identifying strategies they could use in theirown settings to apply them. Each attendee received acomplimentary copy of 11 Simple Rules to Create ThrivingCommunities for Children.June 2023 -NationalJudy, Nichole, and Jonathan facilitated a workshop at theNational Association for the Education of Young Children’sProfessional Learning Institute. Attendees reflected on theirown leadership practice and how the Five Commitments ofOptimistic Leadership could empower them to act withintention to have the impact they desire for children andfamilies.

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LFC’s Book Study Groups use the Mutual LearningMethod and offer a deeper exploration of the FiveCommitments or 11 Simple Rules and result inimproved attitudes, skills and behaviors.Book Study GroupsLearning Networks032023 Annual ReportLeading for Children program leaders facilitatedremote book study groups in nine states, impacting193 adults who in turn impact approximately 2,775children. Book study groups were held remotely inAlabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii,Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington. LFC’s Learning Networks are a year-long mutuallearning endeavor leading to transformationalpersonal, interpersonal, and organizational change.In 2023 LFC’s program leaders facilitated six learningnetworks with partners in Pennsylvania, California,Alabama, and Mississippi.Optimistic Leaders in Thriving CommunitiesLearning Networks supported members incultivating skills, attitudes, and behaviors thatpromote self-empowerment and equitablepartnerships with a goal of creating place-basedsolutions. The result: thriving communities forchildren and adults.LFC piloted its first Leading from Strength LearningNetwork. Leading from Strength was created topromote equity and advancement of BIPOC women inearly learning by creating affinity groups that promote asense of belonging, provide respite, strengthenleadership development and practice of advocacy. Thepilot group was a Women of Color affinity group. Coaching as an Optimistic Leader Learning Networkssupported coaches (and others who support theprofessional growth and learning of early educators) inadopting an asset-based stance to nurture equitablelearning partnerships where both the coach andeducator use curiosity and collaboration and learn withand from each other.For the first time we hosted a National LearningNetwork which brought a group of educators fromacross the country together to focus on coaching asan Optimistic Leader.

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In December 2022 LFC released our second book:11 Simple Rules to Create Thriving Communitiesfor Children. In 2023, both 11 Simple Rules and ourfirst book, Five Commitments of OptimisticLeaders for Children, were released in Spanish.PublicationsIn May 2023, we launched the Leading for Children Podcast —a monthly show where we welcome guests for conversationsabout ways that we are being our best for children andfostering communities where children thrive. The Inauguralseason of the podcast is focused on introducing and exploringthe 11 Simple Rules. Guests have included members of currentor previous Learning Networks, LFC staff members, and otherearly learning professionals.The Leading for Children PodcastIn the MediaOur partnership in MarinCounty, California was featuredin Early Learning Nation in anarticle titled “Children LearnWhat They Live”: BuildingEmpathy in Marin County.”LEADING FOR CHILDREN04Judy joined That EarlyChildhood Nerd podcast for aconversation about our book,11 Simple Rules to CreateThriving Communities forChildren. In June, Judy was a guest onThe Early Link Podcast,produced by Children’sInstitute based in Portland,Oregon, for a conversationabout Optimistic Leadership.

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InsightsIndependent EvaluationfromWe were thrilled to partner with the Institute for Child Success this year to deepenour exploration of impact. Our learning focused on the changes that adultsexperienced in their attitudes, skills, and behaviors, before and after engaging withLFC’s Humanity First Model. We learned that humanity-focused mutual learning conversations support self-empowerment and equitable partnerships in adults. They then are prepared tomodel these for children.Mutual learning significantlyincreases the extent to whichindividuals credit their ownstrengths.Mutual learning increases adults’social emotional competence inrelationships, leading to moreequitable partnerships.83%Recognizing and valuingpersonal strengths can lead tomore purposeful and effectiveaction.83% of members reported that,after the Learning Network, “setting intentions and thinkingimpact help me see myself as anagent of change.” 92.6%92.6% of members report thatthey now engage in “listening tolearn”90.9%90.9% report “slowing down mythoughts so I can hear another’s”2023 Annual Report05

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StoriesImpactof06LEADING FOR CHILDRENAdriana Ruiz, Florida[The Learning Network] put me ina place where I understand that Ineed to do the work. I need to be aleader and a manager of myself;before I manage people, how do Imanage myself? . because I think it’s the bullseye ofmaking an impact in society. If we really want somethingto happen, I think we need to set the right things inmotion for the youngest ones, for them to affect societyin the future. The Humanity First Model made me accountable formyself and the way I want to grow. In the LearningNetwork, I felt that I fit. It was a safe space for me. I couldadd something to the conversation and feel that I waslistened to. I felt the capacity to reflect and relate toothers, and as I’m putting it into practice, other peopleare also putting it into practice, so it becomes like afeedback loop.I first felt like I was pushing into areas where I don’t gointo on a regular basis. We’re all busy, with work anddeadlines and things to do; it’s like we’re on autopilot. Wehave habits, and that becomes the way we live. TheLearning Network allowed me to wait a second, slowdown here for a moment, and it opened the book tomyself, who I am and how I do things. It led me to reflect.It made me want to slow down and see how I relate toothers, how I approach them, and how I ask questions. Ifelt empowered. It put me in a place where I understandthat I need to do the work. I need to be a leader and amanager of myself; before I manage people, how do Imanage myself? And so, I’m there; I’m practicing; I’maware. It’s not about your words but rather how you work withyourself that affects children and their environments.They deserve our respect. I think the minute that we dothat we multiply the right power. When we do that, wehave a chance, humanity has a chance.I am in education

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Chelsi Jones, AlabamaIn partnership with my co-teacher,I use everything I learned withLFC to create open and trustingconnections with families. I thought I was a goodteacher, but like many educators, I minimized my roleand identified as “just a teacher.” I didn’t recognize that Ihad strengths as an individual or grasp the influence Icould have with the children in my classroom. I alsodidn’t see how I could support families and the largercommunity as an educator. All of the things I’ve learnedfrom Judy and the fantastic people that run Leading forChildren truly transformed my life; they’ve supported mein recognizing my value and the power I have in mycommunity, making me a better teacher, a better mom,a better teammate at my school, and a better human.Deep self-reflection and mutual learning experiencesguided by LFC led to a huge mindset shift. What I oncesaw as “MY” classroom, I now see as “OUR” classroom. Iunderstand that for meaningful learning to happen, theunderlying relationships need to be strong. As I begantrusting myself and actively sharing power, inviting mystudents to have a say in what and how they learned andinviting families to become more involved, I beganseeing a change in all of us. I now call our community my“school family” because the relationships we form aregrounded in love, respect, and support. With thisfoundation, day-to-day classroom managementchallenges have lessened as we now see them asopportunities to learn and grow with each other.In partnership with my co-teacher, I use everything Ilearned with LFC to create open and trustingconnections with families. At the beginning of the schoolyear, we intentionally have many honest conversationswith families about who we are and where we comefrom; the conversations are back and forth - two way. Wewant to know what’s happening at home, and we wantthem to know what’s happening in our classroom. Whenparents see that we are transparent and interested inboth them and their child, their protective walls fall away.Before finding LFC,072023 Annual ReportI appreciate how the Humanity First Modelreinforced the importance of buildingequitable relationships with our parents.Together, we’re building a huge circle thatsurrounds and encourages our children. Ihave no doubt that with this foundation,they will go on to be successful humansand world changers.

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Abasi ClarkAhmed YearwoodAlison MasutaniAmanda IshigoAmy DombroAndrew & Mariama DavisAndrew HirschBarbara BilelloBeverly ErdmannCaring FoundationCarl KaplanCarol HigaCharemon GrantChelsi JonesCheryl SwoopesDeborah Jakubs & Jim RobertsDenise PizanteDerry & Craig KoralekEleanor HarrisElizabeth SobotaElyse BraunEva MeierEvelyn and Jerry SummerEvi Rivera-WilliamsFaye SchuettFran Volkmann & Joan CenedellaGretchen Henderson & James EngelhardHolly SeplochaHugh Coleman Smith & Monica ManganIra MaurerJames & Lily HorvathJaqueline HazanJeffrey & Susan Sussman & FriendsJennifer CecereJennifer MasutaniJessica BacalJimmy BallesterosJodee GrandwilliamsJudy Jablon & Andrew HarrisKenecha Brooks-SmithKimrenee PattersonKip SteinbergKwamara ThompsonLaura ColkerLawrence ChunLei FurtadoLeslie & Cindy Norlin-ThompsonLetitia ChamberlainLisa HoltonMarcie MackinMargo Dichtelmiller & Nancy KatzMarneshia CatheyMartha LiptonMichael LuftMyla Kori BardigeNancy JanowNichole ParksPaul Glovinsky & Maureen McNeilPeter GordonPhilip Catalfo & Michelle LeragerPhyllis Subin & Jean McCrayReed HendersonRenée SkolaskiRobert Kushner & Ellen SaltonstallRobert NicholsRobert R McCormick FoundationRosalyn RichterRoy LandesbergSara BeachScott KurnitShaun & Jahaneen JohnsenStephen & Carol CohenSusan GimbarSusan Hintz-Robboy & Ronald RobboyTeresa Jones & Joshua ZimmerbergTerri BuccarelliThe Talisman Putterman FoundationToni & David BickartVikrant GuptaWest Point Baptist Church Inc.Xiana FosterOur Donors and SupportersTHANK YOU TOMany thanks to the generous supporters who made significant gifts to support Leadingfor Children in 2023. Your partnership and commitment ensure that we are creatingcommunities where children thrive. Together, we are elevating the humanity in us all.10LEADING FOR CHILDREN

2023 Annual Report

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