ANISSA STEWART CLAY
Montgomery
Summary
Strategic and mission-driven early childhood education leader with 30+ years of impact in Head Start, Early Head Start, and public education administration. Expertise in federal compliance, comprehensive services, CLASS, QRIS, school readiness systems, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement. Proven capacity to build strong teams, manage resources, strengthen community partnerships, and drive measurable, sustainable quality outcomes aligned with Head Start Performance Standards and agency governance.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Zelia Stephens Early Childhood Center
Alabama State University
01.2023 - Current
- Provide executive oversight ensuring program quality, accreditation alignment, operational safety, and instructional standards compliance.
- Strengthen parent, university, and community partnerships to advance child success, family engagement, and organizational branding.
- Lead and support instructional teams to maintain research-based early childhood practice with measurable oversight.
Assistant Principal
LEAD Academy
01.2023 - 01.2023
- Supported school-wide instructional systems, teacher evaluations, academic monitoring, and climate development aligned with state expectations.
- Facilitated professional development communities focused on instructional quality, discipline structures, and student learning outcomes.
OSR Pre-K Program Monitor
Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Monitored OSR classrooms statewide, ensuring compliance with instructional, safety, and credentialing standards.
- Provided targeted improvement support using CLASS, TA, and environmental assessments to elevate teaching quality.
- Montgomery Community Action Committee & CDC, Inc., Montgomery, AL
Manager
Child Development & Health Services, MCAC Head Start
08.2014 - 12.2021
- Led Head Start and Early Head Start education, health, and nutrition services ensuring alignment with HSPPS and assessment systems.
- Directed CLASS, QRIS, School Readiness, and teaching quality systems improving teacher–child interaction and outcomes.
- Oversaw PIR, data systems, internal monitoring, corrective action, documentation audits, and continuous improvement efforts.
- Facilitated professional development using CLASS Trainer, MMCI, Conscious Discipline, and developmentally appropriate practice.
Principal, Assistant Principal, Instructional Leader & Teacher
Montgomery Public Schools
01.1994 - 01.2014
- Led building-level instructional strategies, data systems, teacher development, and school improvement planning.
- Implemented literacy intervention systems, parent education programming, and community engagement initiatives.
Education
B.S. - Early Childhood Education
Athens State University
01.2021
Educational Administration Certification - undefined
Alabama State University
01.2004
Child Care Management & Director Certification - undefined
Auburn University
01.2001
M.Ed. - Elementary Education
Alabama State University
01.1998
B.S. - Accounting
Troy University
01.1993
Skills
- Executive Leadership & Governance Collaboration
- Head Start / Early Head Start Federal Compliance
- Fiscal Oversight, Grants & Resource Management
- Strategic Planning & Organizational Capacity Building
- Cross-Departmental Team Leadership & Supervision
- CLASS, QRIS, Monitoring & Data Quality Systems
- School Readiness & Comprehensive Services Alignment
- Professional Development & Performance Evaluation
- Stakeholder, Community & Family Partnership Engagement
Affiliations
Dr. Salina Washington, ADECE, Program Manager, Child Credentialing Certification, salina.washington@ece.alabama.gov, 334-318-3114
Dr. Milanda Dean, ADECE, Director, Workforce Development, milanda.dean@ece.alabama.gov, 334-318-3141
Dr. Martha Pettway, Trenholm Technical College, Director, Adult Education,
Timeline
Director, Zelia Stephens Early Childhood Center
Alabama State University
01.2023 - Current
Assistant Principal
LEAD Academy
01.2023 - 01.2023
OSR Pre-K Program Monitor
Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education
01.2022 - 01.2023
Manager
Child Development & Health Services, MCAC Head Start
08.2014 - 12.2021
Principal, Assistant Principal, Instructional Leader & Teacher
Montgomery Public Schools
01.1994 - 01.2014
Educational Administration Certification - undefined
Alabama State University
Child Care Management & Director Certification - undefined
Auburn University
M.Ed. - Elementary Education
Alabama State University
B.S. - Accounting
Troy University
B.S. - Early Childhood Education
Athens State University