Brenda Hagan
Project Specialist
Bardstown,Kentucky
Summary
I am an experienced leader in multiple sectors of local, state, and national organizations which focus on the early care and education profession. As a small business owner and Executive Director, I created a thriving business in 2003 which has served three locations. I have served in various leadership roles representing early care and education at local, regional, state, and national levels. Currently, I work at the state level leading focused projects that support the Early Childhood Advisory Council through the Kentucky Governor's Office of Early Childhood.
I have strong skills in program planning and design, organizational leadership, organizational evaluation, grant support, professional development, technical assistance, public speaking, and project management. Leading state level workgroups and committees, I am able to network and develop strong partnerships and stakeholder relationships. My work has garnered national attention, and I present at the national level details of the Kentucky Early Childhood Apprenticeship Portfolio and consult with other state level entities on how to replicate this program in their states.
While independent and creative, my strengths are best represented in team leadership, innovative design, development, and implementation, working collaboratively, and communicating effectively.
Overview
56
56
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Project Specialist
Kentucky Governor's Office Of Early Childhood
Frankfort, KY
04.2019 - Current
- Obtained needed resources by strategically negotiating with stakeholders and outside suppliers.
- Tracked project and team member performance closely to quickly intervene in mistakes or delays.
- Adhered to budget requirements with excellent planning and consistent expense monitoring.
- Maintained open communication by presenting regular updates on project status to customers.
- Scheduled and facilitated meetings between project stakeholders to discuss deliverables, schedules and conflicts.
Apprenticeship Coordinator
Kentucky Governor's Office Of Early Childhood
Frankfort, United States
09.2019 - Current
- Led design, development, and implementation of first Early Childhood Youth Apprenticeship in the nation
- Led design, development, and implementation of first Early Childhood Administrator/Director apprenticeship in the nation
- Created Work Process Plan (WPP) for new apprenticeship
- Created forms, resources, professional development to support ne apprenticeship program
- Developed strategies to grow and strengthen Kentucky's early childhood workforce
- Developed innovative work-based learning model for early childhood educators and administrators
- Created five-year plan for early childhood apprenticeships as part of the Preschool Development Grant
- Led collaboration and coordination between key partners and stakeholders
- Communicated program benefits and outcomes at local, state, and national levels
Transitions Coordinator
Kentucky Governor's Office Of Early Childhood
Frankfort, United States
04.2019 - 06.2020
- Designed and developed Transition plan for Kentucky children from prenatal to 3rd grade
- Collaborated and coordinated work under the guidance of the Birth-Third Grade Sub-Committee
- Developed four key transition points; Prenatal to Home, Home to Early Care and Education, Preschool to Kindergarten, and Kindergarten to Third Grade
- Created Preschool to Kindergarten Transition Plan including framework, resources, and best practices
- Developed four-year implementation strategy as part of the Preschool Development Grant
Project Specialist
KENTUCKY GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD
Frankfort, KY
07.2019 - 06.2021
- Led final phase of revision of Kentucky's Early Childhood Standards
- Guided content experts and committee leads in adding two new standards; Technology and Approaches to Learning
- Collaborated with local, state, and national leaders in the revision and development of Kentucky Early Childhood Standards
- Guided new phase of digital access to Kentucky's Early Childhood Standards
- Served as Project Lead for the Early Childhood Institute professional development event for 600 participants
- Collaborated and coordinated with state level organizations to provide high-quality professional development
- Assisted in securing funding for event
- Assisted in finalizing contracts for event
- Ensured all participants received credit and credentials for attendance to the Early Childhood Institute
Business Owner
Crocus Learning Center, LLC
Bardstown, KY
03.2003 - Current
- Led demographic study and conducted Needs Assessment for new early care and education programming in Bardstown, Elizabethtown, and Louisville, Kentucky
- Opened Bardstown location in 2003
- Opened Elizabethtown location in 2009
- Opened Louisville location in 2015
- Sold Louisville location in 2018
- Designed, developed enrollment documents, resources, procedures, and processes for onboarding new families
- Designed, developed employment documents, resources, procedures, and processes for onboarding new employees
- Created parent handbooks and all licensure mandated documents for families and children
- Created staff handbooks and all licensure mandated documents for employment
- Developed website and digital access
- Maintained compliance with local, state, and federal licensure, payroll, hiring, and equal opportunity laws
- Created curriculum for three-tiered educational program that included Preschool, Prekindergarten I, and Prekindergarten II
- Developed program library with resources and literature to support three-tiered educational program
- Led programs to earn high-quality STARS ratings in Kentucky's ALL STARS Quality Rating System
- Secured public/private partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools for an Early Head Start classroom in Louisville, KY underserved area
- Maintained bookkeeping and payroll for program's families and staff
Business Owner
Crocus Learning Center, LLC
Bardstown, KY
10.2016 - Current
- Piloted Youth Apprenticeship in Early Childhood Education in collaboration with the Office of Apprenticeship, Kentucky Department of Education Tech-Ready Apprenticeships and Careers in Kentucky (TRACK) and Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Programs
- Researched and expanded pilot with three employer partners to a statewide program with over thirty-five employer partners
- Expanded pilot youth apprentices employed in quality child care programs from three practicing apprentices to approximately seventy
District Manager
Children Today
Bardstown, KY
01.1998 - 03.1999
- Supervised three child care locations in Bardstown, Lebanon, and Elizabethtown, Kentucky
- Managed tuition collection, accounts payables, accounts receivables, and payroll reporting
- Handled family and staff communications and program supports
Early Childhood Program Director
Children Today
Bardstown, KY
01.1995 - 01.1998
- Led program licensed for 234 with 35 staff
- Coordinated and facilitated development of cooperative efforts between schools and other community agencies in serving students.
- Offered training and support for preschool literacy programs.
- Collaborated with social services to communicate with schools and customer service in school program areas.
- Delivered technical assistance and validated programmatic data for state and federal reporting.
- Recruited, selected and retained high-quality staff to reduce turnover and foster stability.
- Planned and monitored curriculum and program activities and liaised with teachers to create fun and engaging learning experiences.
- Engaged with parents and families to build positive relationships for children to thrive.
- Monitored and observed child progress, interactions and behavior and reported findings to parents.
- Attended approved training and continuing education courses to maintain certifications.
- Executed marketing plan and promoted positive image to achieve enrollment goals.
- Evaluated staff and offered guidance to enhance knowledge, skills and professional development to optimize learning environment.
- Managed program paperwork and child records to comply with state requirements.
- Resolved conflicts and administered corrective action to foster positive experience for children and staff.
- Furnished facility with supplies, equipment, food and materials to foster social and cognitive development.
- Operated under licensing guidelines to protect health, safety and well-being of children.
- Adhered to budgetary guidelines to set financial goals and maintain school profitability.
Advisory Council Member
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College
Elizabethtown, KY
01.2013 - Current
- Collaborate with Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Department Chair and other council members to plan annual Spring Early Childhood Institute for high-quality professional development
- Review current and future program enrollment to determine trends and patterns
- Review course offerings for current and incoming students
Professional Development Committee Member
KENTUCKY GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD
Frankfort, KY
01.2015 - 01.2022
- Helped set appropriate goals and plans to achieve targets
- Collaborated in updating Career Lattice for early care and educational professionals
Education
Master of Science - Human Resources and Organizational Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky 01.2020 - 12.2022
No Degree - Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
Elizabethtown Community And Technical School
Elizabethtown, Kentucky 05.2001 -
No Degree - Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
St. Catharine College
Springfield, Kentucky 05.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts - Russian Area Studies Political Science, Minor
University of Kentucky
08.1984 - 05.1988
Skills
Public Speaking Advertising and Promotion
Accomplishments
- ECTC IECE Advisory Council (01/2013 – Present)
- 2005 Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Distinguished Alumni Award
- Sub-Committee on Professional Development(01/2015 – Present)
- Heartland Community Early Childhood Council Member
- Hardin County Schools ECE Advisory Council
- Nelson County Schools ECE Advisory Council
- Nelson County Schools ECE Collaborative Advisor
Timeline
Master of Science - Human Resources and Organizational Development
University of Louisville
01.2020 - 12.2022
Apprenticeship Coordinator
Kentucky Governor's Office Of Early Childhood
09.2019 - Current
Project Specialist
KENTUCKY GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD
07.2019 - 06.2021
Project Specialist
Kentucky Governor's Office Of Early Childhood
04.2019 - Current
Transitions Coordinator
Kentucky Governor's Office Of Early Childhood
04.2019 - 06.2020
Business Owner
Crocus Learning Center, LLC
10.2016 - Current
Professional Development Committee Member
KENTUCKY GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD
01.2015 - 01.2022
Advisory Council Member
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College
01.2013 - Current
Business Owner
Crocus Learning Center, LLC
03.2003 - Current
No Degree - Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
Elizabethtown Community And Technical School
05.2001 -
No Degree - Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
St. Catharine College
05.2001 -
District Manager
Children Today
01.1998 - 03.1999
Early Childhood Program Director
Children Today
01.1995 - 01.1998
Bachelor of Arts - Russian Area Studies Political Science, Minor
University of Kentucky
08.1984 - 05.1988