The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) recently announced the election of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education’s Secretary, Dr. Barbara Cooper, as Board Member At-Large on the association’s national governing board. She will serve a four-year term beginning June 1, 2022.
Dr. Barbara J. Cooper was appointed Secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education by Governor Ivey on July 1, 2020. She has served the Department of Early Childhood Education since 2018, directing the nationally recognized high-quality Alabama First Class Pre-K program. She previously served as the department’s Director of the Office of School Readiness and is the Birth to Grade 12 Advisor for the Alabama Governor’s Office of Education and Workforce Transformation.
“No doubt, Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program is top of the line and helping many of our youngest citizens receive a strong start to their educational journeys. It is only fitting to see our own Dr. Barbara Cooper selected to serve on this national board,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “Dr. Cooper continues taking our state’s program to the next level, and I know she will be a tremendous asset to the National Association for the Education of Young Children.”
Dr. Cooper’s administrative career is extensive, as she previously served as Deputy State Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer of the Alabama State Department of Education, Chief Administrative Officer for the Montgomery Public Schools Intervention, Deputy Superintendent of Huntsville City Schools, Chief Equity and Engagement Officer of Aurora Public Schools (Colorado) and a Principal with Denver Public Schools. She has teaching experiences ranging from early childhood education through post-secondary.
Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. NAEYC advances a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and supports all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.
The NAEYC Governing Board provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance. Board members are elected by the association’s 60,000 members. Candidates for the competitive slate are chosen for their broad-based knowledge of issues affecting high-quality early learning and the early childhood profession.
