2024 COAEYC Board of Directors Election Results
We are pleased to announce the results of the 2024 Board of Directors Election and welcome new and returning changemakers to COAEYC's board.
Important note: In alignment with our strategic plan to increase the capacity of both the Board and COAEYC, the Board decided to add one additional general seat. COAEYC bylaws allow up to 12 seats, and this adjustment will bring us to a total of 10 board members. For the purpose of voting with an even amount of Board Members, Rebecca Armentrout, our incoming Board Chair, will abstain from votes unless there is a tie. The three general seats represent the three candidates who received the most votes from COAEYC members during the election. If you have any questions about this change, we encourage you to reach out to Chair-Elect Rebecca Armentrout (Chair term beginning 7/1) or current Chair Caitlyn Russell (term ending 6/30).
General Seat
Student Seat
Teacher Seat
General Seat
Stacey Guymon
Monte Vista, CO
What is your occupation or job title? Who is your employer or institution?
Elementary Principal and ECE Director at Monte Vista School District
ECE Adjunct Professor at TSC/CU programs
What is an issue in early childhood education that is important to you?
There are so many issues that I am concerned about. A few are: teacher qualification and retention, quality care in Rural areas, social emotional increasing behaviors in our young children, and support families post Covid.
Tell us about a professional goal that you have for this year.I would like to share my professional experience and knowledge with other around the State. I have accomplished many things in my local community and region, and I would like to expand and be part of conversation in a wider capacity.
Why are you interested in serving on the COAEYC Board of Directors?
I have been actively working in Early Childhood for the past 27 years. I am passionate about the work and would like be involved more at the State level of decision and planning.
Stacy is currently filling a vacant seat on the COAEYC Board of Directors. She is eligible to serve two consecutive terms if elected.
Sonia Semana
Fort Collins, CO
Sonia is currently serving on the COAEYC
Board of Directors and is eligible to serve
a second term if re-elected.
What is your occupation or job title? Who is your employer or institution?
Manager of Education at Clayton Early Learning
What is an issue in early childhood education that is important to you?
I am currently deeply impacted by including family childcare providers in our work with children. I feel their voice is often lost. I am also concerned for the access of quality early education for our rural areas in Colorado and access to professional growth opportunities for our fellow educators.
Tell us about a professional goal that you have for this year.
My professional goal for this year is to continue being a loud voice for access to quality early childcare. I am going to continue being involved in public policy that impacts the work of early childhood educators. I am currently teaching at CU-Denver and would like to continue teaching bilingual courses for educators that would like to continue enhancing their professional growth. This year, I also set a goal to present at NAEYC PLI. I learned a couple of days ago that my presentation was selected. I would like to continue advocating for early childhood professional both local and rural areas.
Why are you interested in serving on the COAEYC Board of Directors?
I have been part of the board for the last two years. I am now more aware of the issues impacting local educators and families. I have also seen the board membership grow and how much the organization has expanded to connect with our members. I would like to continue being part of this growth and use my knowledge to provide a voice for our early childhood professionals. I feel we have much work do be done to reach our members and I want to work towards making COAEYC a strong resource for our Colorado community. I am also passionate to increase access to our non English speaking population in Colorado.
Sarah Goldman
Lone Tree, CO
What is your occupation or job title? Who is your employer or institution?
Account Manager at Discount School Supply
What is an issue in early childhood education that is important to you?
Where to begin...wage disparities and professionalizing the EC workforce, providing early childhood coaching that is not tied to a state initiative, DEI in programs, sustainability of EC Councils...just to name a few
Tell us about a professional goal that you have for this year.
This year, I will grow my network, strengthen existing relationships, and increase my GM value.
Why are you interested in serving on the COAEYC Board of Directors?
Serving on the COAEYC board would allow me to support early childhood professionals in a more direct and impactful manner beyond my current corporate job. In addition, serving would be another avenue in which to advocate for the needs of both children and providers. I believe my experience in the non-profit early childhood sector will lend itself beautifully to COAEYC's mission. COAEYC is growing and evolving and I wish to be a part of and contribute to its evolution.
Student Seat
Karima Guittoune
Denver, CO
What is your occupation or job title? Who is your employer or institution?
Early Childhood Teacher and Arabic Interpreter at CCD Play and Learn Child Care Center
Graduate Student at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs
What is an issue in early childhood education that is important to you?
Something challenging the kids with special needs .
Tell us about a professional goal that you have for this year.
Become a director in ECE or higher level , develop my career with this domain , to serve and helps others
Why are you interested in serving on the COAEYC Board of Directors?
I love serving my community, especially when it is related to kids ( early childhood education in general ).
Teacher Seat
Julie Spiegleman
Greenwood Village, CO
What is your occupation or job title? Who is your employer or institution?
Lead Teacher and Pedagogical Coach at Denver Cooperative Preschool
What is an issue in early childhood education that is important to you?
Accessibility for families; workforce retention and recruitment; changing behaviors of children in the classroom and relationships with families. I am interested in the relationship between UPK in Colorado and accessibility. I am worried about recruitment and retention of educators due to pay, skill set, stress of job and changing dynamics in the classroom.
Tell us about a professional goal that you have for this year.
I am working on obtaining my coaching credential and will be able to get it in May and I will finish my 3-part professional development in early 2025. I would like to strengthen my coaching role and ability. In addition, I am very interested and concerned about policy regarding early childhood education and I would like to learn more.
Why are you interested in serving on the COAEYC Board of Directors?
I am very interested and concerned about the state of Early Childhood Education, more specifically recruitment and retention of educators and accessibility for families.