Ann Miles Gordon has been an early childhood professional for more than 45 years as a teacher of young children, a teacher of parents, and a teacher of college students. She has taught in laboratory schools, church-related centers, and private and public preschool and kindergarten programs. Ann taught at the Bing Nursery School, the laboratory school for Stanford University's Department of Psychology, where she was a head teacher and lecturer in the Psychology Department. Ann also served as an adjunct faculty member in several community colleges, teaching the full gamut of early childhood courses. Ann served as executive director of the National Association of Episcopal Schools for 14… years, where more than 1,100 early childhood programs were a part of her network. Ann is semi-retired and a hands-on grandmother of two, through which she brings an enhanced perspective on center-based care and early elementary grades.
Kathryn Williams Browne has been teaching children, families, and students for more than 30 years. First a teacher of young children-in nursery school, parent cooperatives, full-day child care, pre-kindergarten, bilingual pre-school, kindergarten, and first grade-she moved to Stanford University's lab school, where she served as head teacher and psychology lecturer. Co-authoring with Ann Miles Gordon was enhanced by Kate's role as a parent, while her consultant and school board experience offered perspectives on public policy and reform. Kate teaches in the California Community College system and Early Childhood Mentor program, which offer the richness of a diverse student population… coupled with the challenges of access and privilege that parallel those in the early education field itself.