Dr. Michelle Shaivitz
Executive Director
Dr. Michelle Shaivitz is the Executive Director for the Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children (deaeyc). With more than 20 years of experience in education, non-profit management, and advocacy work, Dr. Shaivitz has a long history of working to improve the educational outcomes for children. Dr. Shaivitz began her career as a preschool teacher advancing to the Director of Curriculum for the Department of Defense in Europe. She has since held positions to enhance education in both the public and private sectors, winning her the coveted Medal of Achievement for Civilian Service, a Commander’s Award given by the Department of the Army. Dr. Shaivitz has expanded her commitment to helping others, and is a motivational speaker, author, and enthusiast for those searching for positive change in their lives. Dr. Shaivitz is a married mother of two beautiful children, three rescued dogs, and one cat. Dr. Shaivitz earned her Doctoral Degree in Education and Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University, where she holds an adjunct position today mirroring her continued love of teaching and learning.
Dr. Shaivitz can be reached at mshaivitz@deaeyc.org
Carmen Gallagher
T.E.A.C.H Early Childhood® Delaware Coordinator
Carmen Gallagher is the Coordinator for T.E.A.C.H Early Childhood® Delaware. Over the past 20 years, Carmen has had the pleasure of working in a variety of capacities revolving around early childhood. She started her career working in a preschool with a variety of age groups. That opportunity led her to find another great passion in working with families. After five years at the preschool, she left to become a home visitor for Parents as Teachers. She found that this position allowed her to work with both of her first loves, children and their families. The opportunity arose for her to take that love and help foster future home visitors in our state as a Program Coordinator and later as the Delaware State Leader.
When Carmen became the Delaware State Leader for Parents as Teachers at the Delaware Department of Education (DOE), she also became the Program Manager for Delaware’s early childhood qualification system, Delaware First. Through her eight years at DOE, she was the Program Manager for T.E.A.C.H Early Childhood® Delaware, Tiered Reimbursement, First Start Delaware Early Head Start and responsible for bringing a new compensation program, WAGE$®, to Delaware.
Through all the programs that Carmen was responsible for in Delaware, one key factor kept resurfacing. She found the need for early childhood professionals to have the opportunity to further their education and to receive a livable wage was something that could not be ignored any longer. When the opportunity became available for Carmen to join the Delaware Association for Education of Young Children, she knew this was the next step for her in her career of early childhood to help current and future early childhood professionals reach to obtain their higher education goals and to finally be recognized as the essential employees that they are to receive a livable wage.
Carmen can be reached at carmeng@deaeyc.org
Brittany Hazzard
T.E.A.C.H Early Childhood® Delaware Counselor
My name is Brittany Hazzard and I'm excited to be the new T.E.A.C.H. Counselor! I bring over 15 years of experience in the early childhood education field, with much of that time spent working in a classroom and mentoring other teachers. I have an Associate's degree from Delaware Technical and Community College in Early Care & Education Birth-2nd Grade and a Bachelor's degree in Education Studies B-2nd at Wilmington University. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. from Fielding Graduate University in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Development. I look forward to working with you and helping you attain your education goals!
Brittany can be reached at bhazzard@deaeyc.org
Michelle Loatman
Program Manager for 21st Century Community School
Born in Bridgeton, New Jersey, on April 17, 1978, Michelle is the middle of three children. She received her education in the Bridgeton public school system. However, she graduated high school from Nikos Academy group home for Girls, in Williamstown, New Jersey on June 10, 1995.
As a 21st CCLC Program Director, former Family Service Advocate and Early Literacy Professional Development Specialist at deaeyc, advocating for children and families in Delaware; a first generational M. Ed graduate from Concordia University; a Human Services graduate from Springfield College; God has graced her with the ability to graciously steady being a single mom of three beautiful children. She has been at the forefront of building community programs, through grass root efforts, that advocate for quality early care and education systems (ECE), the ECE workforce, early literacy, fought for societal changes for Delaware’s impoverished communities struggling to overcome homelessness and food scarcity, and children and families facing various adversities of daily survival. As a Christian author and minister, it is Michelle’s desire to minister to broken women, youth and children to mentor them in overcoming generational trauma, dysfunction and fighting for systemic justice. Michelle is a pioneer at the forefront of advocating for systemic change in education, who desires through to be a catalyst for societal justice, bringing hope and the knowledge to a lost world.
Michelle can be reached at mloatman@deaeyc.org
Lisa Miller
Child Care WAGE$® Coordinator
Lisa Miller is the Child Care WAGE$® Coordinator and has been with deaeyc since March 2018. Her previous experience spans from teaching college-level to assessing developmental growth of young children up to age 18. She is a lifelong learner and hopes that her passion for learning, education, and advocacy can inspire the workforce and the community.
Lisa can be reached at lmiller@deaeyc.org
Samantha Reynolds
Administrative Assistant
Raised in Elkton, Maryland, Samantha Reynolds has always been surrounded by strong and inspiring teachers and believes that education is the key to success. Before joining the deaeyc team in 2018, Samantha has worked with children in some sort of capacity for 13 years, from summer camp head counselor to children’s director at a large church. She is passionate to help advocate for quality and equity within the Delaware education system. Now located in Newark, she enjoys spending her free time outdoors with her fiancé and their blue pit, Ceaser.
Samantha can be reached at sreynolds@deaeyc.org
Emilia Mackey
Financial Coordinator
Emilia Mackey is the Financial Coordinator for deaeyc and has been providing professionally managed financial services to the organization since 2013. Emilia supports management and the board of directors, manages the day-to-day financial operations of the organization, and provides timely and accurate information so the organization has the ability carry out its mission to its fullest capacity.
Emilia has enjoyed being a part of deaeyc’s growth over the last eight years.
Emilia can be reached at financial@deaeyc.org