Teaching Strategies Announces Kai-leé Berke To Become Vice Chair, Board of Directors; John Olsen to Become Chief Executive Officer
BETHESDA, Md., May 21, 2019 — Teaching Strategies, the pioneering developer of early childhood technology resources and solutions, today announced that effective July 1, current CEO Kai-leé Berke will become the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, where she will continue to shape the company’s connection with the early childhood community. John Olsen, a mission-oriented education executive, will join the company on May 28th and become CEO effective July 1st to lead the company in its next phase of growth.
A former early childhood teacher and administrator, Berke joined Teaching Strategies in 2005 and is among the most prolific curriculum and assessment authors in the field, having authored GOLD®, Teaching Strategies’ widely-adopted assessment solution, and editions of The Creative Curriculum® for infant and toddler, preschool, and kindergarten programs. The appointment of Berke to this new role extends Teaching Strategies’ rich legacy of embracing early childhood educators at the highest level of the organization. Berke will continue to represent the company as a voice in the field, will continue to publish articles that raise the bar for high-quality care and education, and will continue to be the lead author of Teaching Strategies’ curriculum and assessment content.
“I’m honored to continue my work and partner with John in support of the early childhood community by elevating and highlighting the issues most important to the field through authorship and content creation for Teaching Strategies,” said Berke. “John’s collaboration, and my new role, will provide a new platform to build upon a twenty-year career working on behalf educators across the country. I will continue to work, on behalf of Teaching Strategies, as a vocal advocate for ensuring that every child has the chance to build a strong foundation for future success, in school and in life.”
A military veteran and mission-oriented education leader, John Olsen has distinguished himself through a commitment to service and advocacy in ways that are tightly coupled with the Teaching Strategies’ legacy and vision. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, John’s experience in education includes several leadership roles at education companies working across the K-12 and higher education spectrum. During this tenure, John has led and championed experiential summer learning efforts, leadership programs and lifelong learning for young adults seeking new careers. Olsen currently serves as a trustee of the Naval Academy Foundation and is a founding board member of Variety – the Children’s Charity of the National Capital Region which supports children in DC, VA and MD with mobility impairments.
“As a long time advocate for children with special needs, I am honored by the opportunity to partner with Kai-leé and the rest of the Teaching Strategies’ team to serve the early childhood field and an organization that has such a profound impact on the lives of teachers, children and families,” said Olsen. “Our work together will remain rooted in Teaching Strategies’ rich history, while embracing new and innovative ways to support the critical work of early childhood educators and scale a whole child approach into the early grades in support of the B-3 continuum.”
Since its founding in 1988, Teaching Strategies has developed curriculum, assessment, professional development, and family connection resources to programs serving children from birth through third grade, including private child care, public Pre-K, Head Start, and Department of Defense programs in all 50 states and internationally. Teaching Strategies’ solutions and products, including Tadpoles, The Creative Curriculum, and GOLD assessment, reach over 2 million children each year nationwide.
About Teaching Strategies: With ground-breaking solutions and a strong belief that a child’s first 8 years form a critical foundation for school success, Teaching Strategies has been an advocate for the early education community for over 30 years. Today, Teaching Strategies provides curriculum, assessment, professional development, and family connection resources to programs across the country. Its products, including Tadpoles, the award-winning Creative Curriculum for Preschool, and widely-adopted assessment solutions like GOLD reach over 2 million children each year. To learn why thousands of early childhood programs and many states choose to partner with Teaching Strategies to help ensure children’s success in school and in life, visit www.teachingstrategies.com and follow us on Twitter @TeachStrategies.
Media Contact:
Tia Disick
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