ERICA LAWRENCE
Crawfordville,Florida
Summary
Early childhood leader with experience guiding operations, budgets, staff hiring and coaching, curriculum planning, family communication, and compliance. Background includes multi-site program support, safe facility oversight, and forest and nature-based learning that strengthens child engagement and environmental literacy.
Overview
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Nature’s Nook Preschool, LLC
Owner
Crawfordville, Florida
11.2025 - Current
- Assisted with curriculum planning, maintained classroom routines, and aligned lesson activities.
- Monitored classroom readiness and organized supplies to ensure optimal learning environments and effective facility setup.
- Supported preschool operations by managing enrollment records and facilitating daily communication with families to ensure engagement.
- Tracked budgets, processed purchasing, and coordinated payroll tasks to streamline financial operations and maintain vendor relationships.
Director of Early Childhood Education
Tallahassee Museum of History & Natural Sciences
Tallahassee, Florida
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Develop and implement the school's vision and strategic plan, identify challenges, and advise the board of directors on crucial issues.
- Ensured high-quality curriculum delivery and instruction, monitored student achievement, and supported continuous improvement of school programs.
- Provide leadership and oversight for all staff, conduct annual staff evaluations, and support professional development to maintain a positive and accountable work environment.
- Oversaw budget development and management, ensuring financial stability and coordinating fundraising and grant efforts to support school initiatives.
- Ensure the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the school, including managing resources and maintaining safe facilities.
- Acted as spokesperson for the school to the Board of Directors, fostering relationships with community members, parents, staff, and funders to enhance community engagement.
- Ensure the school operates in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
Education & Community Partnership Manager
North Florida Child Development
Wewahitchka, Florida
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Manage the overall education component for 5 counties and 10 program sites ensuring all operations align with Head Start Performance Standards and state/local regulations.
- Supervise and provide technical assistance to education coordinators, center managers, and teaching staff, offering ongoing coaching and professional development.
- Collaborate with the broader Head Start leadership team and other program components to ensure a cohesive, integrated service delivery system.
- Contribute to the development of program plans, policies, and procedures, using data and feedback for continuous improvements.
- Monitored and analyzed data on program outcomes, curriculum fidelity, and children with disabilities to inform planning and enhance service quality.
- Researched, wrote, and secured a multi-million dollar grant for program continuation, ensuring sustainability and expansion of educational services.
- Sought out and acquired multiple funding opportunities to ensure financial sustainability for educational programs.
- Approved and purchased learning equipment and materials for 10 locations, enhancing educational resources and support for diverse learners.
Child Care Regulation Specialist
Dept of Children & Families Child Care Regulation
Tallahassee, Florida
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Promulgated statewide departmental rules for child care licensing and training, developing policies and procedures to enhance administration of child care services program
- Development of Statewide administrative policies, procedures and related licensing and training directives used in the operation and management of the child care services program
- Develop and implement legislative rules, regulations, and policies associated with Florida child care licensure
- Partnered with government agencies to establish policies enhancing child care administration in Florida
- Collaborated with state agencies, colleges, universities, non-profit organizations, and individuals to create and implement licensing and training initiatives while providing public outreach
- Coordinate the disposition of Gold Seal final orders with Departmental and Local Licensing Authority staff
- Submit administrative complaint templates to regional and state licensing and legal staff for revocation of Gold Seal status
Education
Bachelor - Child Development
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL01-2004
Skills
Nature-Based Learning and Outdoor Education
Curriculum development
Innovative Curriculum Development
Learning Environment Design
Classroom Management
Team Collaboration
Excellent verbal and written communication
Certification
Forest School Education, Early Childhood Management, FL Wilderness Green Guide.
PART TIME EMPLOYMENT
High end boutique visual merchandising and customer service
Timeline
Nature’s Nook Preschool, LLC
Owner
11.2025 - Current
Director of Early Childhood Education
Tallahassee Museum of History & Natural Sciences
01.2021 - 01.2024
Education & Community Partnership Manager
North Florida Child Development
01.2014 - 01.2019
Child Care Regulation Specialist
Dept of Children & Families Child Care Regulation
01.2010 - 01.2014
Bachelor - Child Development
Florida State University