Tonia Durden
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Biography
In Tonia’s 18 years in early childhood and more than ten years as a NAEYC member, Tonia has been an early childhood teacher, math instructional coach, teacher educator, researcher, Birth-5 program coordinator and Early Childhood Extension Specialist. In these roles she has had direct engagement with children, families, communities and the individuals who serve and teach young children. Specifically, as aligned with NAEYC’s vision and mission of promoting and supporting high quality early childhood education for all children, throughout her career she has focused on leading initiatives, identifying and creating more equitable and high-quality learning and teaching experiences for young children. For example, the culminating result of her professional activity thus far has contributed to the field in the dissemination of over 100 scholarly works within the areas of culturally responsive education, quality care and education, and early childhood professional development systems of engagement. She has reached more than 20,000 professionals and families in Georgia, across the U.S. and around the world. Furthermore, she has built strategic partnerships at the local, state and national levels with agencies such as the Early Education Collaborative, National Black Child Development Institute, United States Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Administration for Children and Families; Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning; Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.