Over the last year Atlanta’s Mayor Andre Dickens made the city’s first-ever funding commitment to Early Learning education through a $20 million investment, a combination of public and private funds. Join us for (Y) Connect to hear from the Y’s Senior Vice President of Early Learning Dr. Andria McMichael who shares how the Y is partnering with Mayor Dickens and other organizations to deepen early learning through the city and why it’s so important
IN THIS EPISODE:
[03:45] Dr. McMichael describes her role as Senior Vice President for early learning at the Y
[06:44] What does “STEAM” education look like, and what is “Read to Write”
[10:06] What does the research say about early learning, and why it’s so important
[13:45] Dr. McMichael outlines what the influx of public and national funds will go toward
[19:04] Dr. McMichael expands on the early learning readiness program for the Hispanic and Latinx communities
[23:27] The Georgia pre-K program and Rise in Kindergarten programs are available during the summer
[29:27] Statistically, children who attend early learning programs tend to be more successful as adults
[31:56] Dr. Andria McMichael shares her Y story
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The early learning program is reaching 3,000 children in the Atlanta area. However, many more children could benefit if funds were available.
The Governor of Georgia has taken proactive steps to support early learning by budgeting twenty million dollars for the programs.
RESOURCE LINKS:
Early Learning Information - Website
BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Andria McMichael
As Senior Vice President of Early Learning for the Y, Dr. Andria McMichael leads the YMCA of Metro Atlanta's effort to provide best-in-class early learning environments for Atlanta’s children and families. With direct responsibility for signature programs, Read Right from the Start, STEAM, Start for Life and Early Learning Readiness, she oversees programs across seven counties and 13 Early Learning Centers.
Andria joined the Y in 2019 after working with Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia as a Leadership Development Specialist. Before that, she served as a Regional Director for Imagine Schools in Maryland and as an Adjunct Professor for the Center of Urban Education at the University of the District of Columbia in Washington D.C.
Early in her career, Andria worked with the DeKalb County School District in a number of roles, including as a Title 1 Instructional Coach and Second Grade Teacher. Additionally, she served as an Outreach Science Coordinator, Instructor and Summer Teacher with SCITREK (Science and Technology Museum of Georgia) here in Atlanta.
Andria graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Child Development from Spelman College and earned a Master of Arts in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Central Michigan University, a Masters Level Educational Leadership Certificate from Georgia State University as well as earning certification in Advanced Educational Leadership from Harvard University.
