Anna Jo Garcia Haynes embodies leadership and advocacy for early childhood education (ECE) in Colorado and across the country. Anna Jo has impacted thousands of children and families over a long and storied career. The School of Education at MSU Denver is honored to preserve and build upon her legacy to continue her advocacy and impact on early childhood education in Colorado and beyond.

The Anna Jo Garcia Haynes Legacy Project was established to sustain and build upon Anna Jo’s impact and leadership in early childhood education. The project preserves the legacy of Anna Jo Garcia Haynes and her colleagues and mentors, who laid the foundation for equitable early childhood education in Colorado. This project captures their words, stories, and vision for the next generations of early childhood advocates and educators.

To ensure Anna Jo’s work lives on, the MSU Denver School of Education has also established the Anna Jo Garcia Haynes Endowment to sustain and build upon the legacy and impact of her leadership and advocacy in early childhood education.

The Anna Jo Garcia Haynes Advocacy and Policy Fellowship prepares the next generation of leaders to continue Anna Jo’s legacy. This one-year transformative fellowship program provides leadership development in early childhood education policy and advocacy through real-life experiences at the State level.

The fellowship is for advanced Junior/Senior-level students with an interest in policy and advocacy related research and activities impacting early childhood (Birth-5 years of age). Fellows are committed to advancing equity, justice and social change on behalf of Colorado’s children and their families.

Our Fellows work with MSU Denver faculty and partners to conduct, review and translate cutting-edge policy research and advocacy activities applicable to early childhood education with a goal of informing state and local policy. The fellows will also serve as interns at policy-making and advocacy organizations to develop a better understanding of policy and advocacy in action.

Meet the Fellows

Katelyn Cromer

Katelyn Cromer is a senior at MSU Denver majoring in Early Childhood Education. She comes from a background in ECE working for Westminster Public Schools for 6 years in the toddler and preschool classrooms. She is now working for the MSU Denver Early Family Literacy childcare program. Working with kids has always been her passion. After graduation in December 2025, she hopes to go on to complete her master’s degree in organizational leadership and work with migrant families in public schools.

Jaidyn Fears

Jaidyn Fears is an independent, strong, fearless but God-fearing African American woman. She is currently studying Criminal Justice with a double minor in Early Childhood Education and Social Work. In the future, she hopes to obtain her Law degree and practice law to reform change within the criminal justice system and exercise policies and laws that impact people, especially children and youth.

Jessica Garcia

For the past 14 years, Jessica has worked for a small non-profit organization in Commerce City where she has dedicated herself to serving the community and advancing equity for children and families. Her lifelong dream has been to become an advocate for those who do not have a voice. To be able to achieve this goal, Jessica has been working toward a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at MSU Denver. She is currently a senior and will be graduating in Spring 2025.

Grace Mafuana Sita

Grace is a recent graduate of MSU Denver with a major in educational studies and a minor in psychology. She is passionate about early childhood education with a special interest in addressing educational inequities. Her goal is to impact meaningful change to ensure equitable opportunities for all children.

Emily Zweber

Emily believes in the power of early childhood education to create lasting change. She is currently pursuing licensure in early childhood education at MSU Denver and brings over a decade of hands-on experience to this work. She’s determined to spark a seismic shift in how early childhood education is perceived and valued, with a deep commitment to advocating for growth and recognition in areas where it is most needed.

MSU Denver’s School of Education was thrilled to host the world premiere of the documentary “A Life of Advocacy: The Legacy of Anna Jo Garcia Haynes”.

Click the image above to view the trailer.

A production of Dope Mom Life, the documentary intricately weaves together over 50 years of Anna Jo’s tireless advocacy for equitable early childhood education. Through captivating storytelling and heartfelt testimonials, the documentary not only celebrates Anna Jo’s remarkable journey but also pays homage to the countless lives she has touched. Join us for an evening of insight and inspiration as we honor Anna Jo’s enduring legacy and the profound impact she has made on our community. The documentary is part of the Anna Jo Garcia Haynes Legacy Project of MSU Denver’s School of Education.

The exclusive film screening took place Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 6:00 PM on Auraria Campus in Denver, Colorado.

Stay tuned for future opportunities to view this inspiring documentary!

This series aims to address the past, present and future of early childhood education nation wide. Stay tuned for future events and opportunities to learn and engage!

Champions of Early Childhood Education in Colorado: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

This very special panel discussion occurred Jun 16, 2023 at MSU Denver. See below for a recording of the livestream.

Anna Jo Garcia Haynes embodies leadership and advocacy for Early Childhood Education. Continuing her work, the MSU Denver School of Education has established the Anna Jo Garcia Haynes Legacy Project and Endowed Fund to sustain and maintain the legacy and impact of her leadership and advocacy in Early Childhood Education.

Panel discussion moderated by Lisa Roy, Executive Director for the
Colorado Department of Early Childhood Education. Read more about the moderator and the panelists below.

Moderator and Panelists

Panel Moderator

Lisa Roy
Executive Director, Colorado Department of Early Childhood Education

Dr. Lisa Roy is the newly appointed Executive Director for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. The Department will manage Colorado’s new universal preschool program, serving 4-year-olds statewide starting in the summer of 2023. The Department will also manage comprehensive programs and services for young children, families and early childhood professionals, utilizing a “one-stop shop” application process.

Dr. Roy previously served as the director of program development for the Buffett Early Childhood Institute and as the executive director of early childhood education for Denver Public Schools. She has volunteered and worked in non-profit and government roles supporting families with young children for over 30 years.

Panelists

Anna Jo Garcia Haynes
President Emeritus, Mile High Early Learning

Anna Jo Garcia Haynes is the President Emeritus of Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers, which operate eight centers in Denver’s inner city for children from families with limited resources. Anna Jo is a long time advocate for children and their families and in that capacity served as the chair for Denver Public Schools/City of Denver Early Childhood Council, appointed by the Superintendent and the Mayor. Anna Jo was also the founding chairperson of the Colorado Children’s Campaign and past president of the Woman’s Foundation of Colorado, Current Co-Chair of the Early Childhood Leadership Commission for Colorado appointed by Gov. Hickenlooper and Board Member for Mayor Hancock’s Education Compact.

Additional Board Service has included: Past Board Chair, Clayton Foundation, Denver Foundation Board of Trustees, Founding Co-Chair Qualistar Colorado, Hunt Alternatives Fund, Future Black Women Leadership Institute, Circle of Latina Leadership.

Bruce Atchison
Former Principal, Education Commission of the States

Bruce has over 40 years of experience working in education policy and early education. He was most recently a Principal at Education Commission of the States. He has served as Chief of Staff for a Lieutenant Governor; Executive Vice President of the Colorado Children’s Campaign, and he worked in Governor Romer and Governor Ritters’ policy offices on education issues. He was President and CEO of a nonprofit child-care center serving low-income single parent families, Executive Director of the City of Boulder’s Children’s Services, Executive Director of the Family Resource Schools in Denver Public Schools, and served on the faculty at both the University of Denver and CU Boulder as a child development specialist.  Bruce has 10 years of direct teaching experience. He was the “Educator of the Year,” has received an Early Childhood Lifetime Achievement Award, and was awarded a Champion for Children award. In addition, Bruce has produced multiple national publications on topics such as assessments in the early years, transitions, quality in the early years, full day kindergarten, governance systems in early childhood, etc.  Bruce has a wife, three adult children, 7 grandchildren, lives in the mountains of Colorado and loves to travel and fish.

Rosemarie Allen
Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education, MSU Denver

Dr. Rosemarie Allen has served as a leader in early childhood education for nearly 40 years. Her life’s work is centered on ensuring children have access to high quality early childhood programs that are developmentally and culturally appropriate. She is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Her classes are focused on ensuring teachers are aware of how issues of equity, privilege, and power impact teaching practices. Rosemarie has served in directorship roles with the Colorado Department of Human Services, most recently in the Division of Youth Corrections (DYC). As Director of Programs at DYC, she was responsible for the education, health, and mental health of all adjudicated youth in the State. She was also responsible for the professional development of all Division staff members in order to ensure state-wide culture change. From 2007-2012 Rosemarie served as the Director of the Division of Child Care. In that role, she oversaw the State’s child care licensing program, the federal child care assistance program, the redesign of the State’s quality rating and improvement system, the implementation of the State’s professional development plan, and assisted in the creation of Colorado’s early learning guidelines.

Rosemarie is a national expert on racial equity, implicit bias and culturally responsive practices, speaking at conferences across the country. She is the Equity Expert for 9News KUSA with a weekly segment on racial equity at all levels of society. Dr. Allen is a respected keynote speaker and has the distinct honor of being appointed as a “Global Leader” for Early Childhood and works with professionals from more than 80 countries, sharing inspiration and information on issues impacting children and families worldwide. Rosemarie earned her B. A. from California State University, Master’s of Education from Lesley University and Doctorate in Leadership for Educational Equity at the University of Colorado, Denver.

Amanda Escarcida
MSU Denver Alum, Early Childhood Education, 2023

I’m Amanda Escarcida, a recent graduate of Metropolitan State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. I am an early-childhood professional with over eight years of experience. I have been teaching in a preschool for the past three years. I have also worked closely with licensing specialists, legislation and most recently shadowed a director of an ELC.

Karla Garcia-Vanderhorst
MSU Denver Student, Early Childhood Education

Karla Garcia is a current MSU Denver student majoring in Early Childhood Education. During her time at MSU Denver she has worked in field placements ranging from pre-kindergarten to second grade and private schools to Tier 1 schools. After graduating this coming December 2023, she hopes to begin working in public schools directly with children.

Alexis Hobson
MSU Denver Student, Early Childhood Education

Alexis Hobson is a student at MSU Denver. Alexis will student teach and graduate in the fall of 2023. Alexis has an associate degree in early childhood education. She is certified in GOLD Interrater Reliability Certification, Preschool/Pre-K and A Project Learning Tree Workshop. Work experience related to ECE consists of field experience in a third grade classroom teaching a 3 part lesson plan, and working with students K-5 for over 4 years.