About Us
Our Story
ChildEduCareer was founded in 2012 by Dr. Rebecca Thornton, a passionate early childhood educator who identified a significant gap in career guidance for those interested in working with children. After 15 years in various roles from classroom teacher to educational administrator, Dr. Thornton recognized that many talented individuals were deterred from entering the field due to unclear career pathways and limited information about educational requirements.
What began as a small mentorship program with just 12 participants in Chicago has grown into a nationwide resource hub that has guided over 15,000 professionals into fulfilling careers in child education and care. Throughout our expansion, we've maintained our core commitment to personalized guidance, combining online resources with in-person workshops and mentorship opportunities.
In 2018, we launched our comprehensive online platform, allowing us to reach aspiring educators across the country. The following year, we established partnerships with 35 educational institutions to create structured pathways for career development. Today, our team of 28 education specialists works across 5 regional offices, continuing Dr. Thornton's mission of building a stronger, more diverse workforce of child educators prepared to make a positive impact on future generations.
Our Mission & Values
At ChildEduCareer, our mission is to empower individuals to build meaningful, impactful careers working with children by providing clear guidance, practical resources, and supportive mentorship throughout their professional journey. We believe that every child deserves access to well-trained, passionate educators, and every aspiring educator deserves a clear path to achieving their career goals.
Accessibility
We believe career guidance and educational resources should be available to all, regardless of background or starting point. Our content is designed to be inclusive, understandable, and applicable for diverse audiences.
Excellence
We promote high standards in child education by providing up-to-date, evidence-based information and practices. We encourage continuous professional development and the pursuit of quality in all educational endeavors.
Diversity
We actively work to build a diverse educational workforce that reflects the communities it serves. We believe children benefit from educators with varied perspectives, experiences, and cultural backgrounds.
Community
We foster connections between educators, institutions, and communities to create supportive networks. We believe collaborative relationships strengthen the educational environment for both children and professionals.
Our Leadership Team
Our dedicated team brings decades of combined experience in early childhood education, career development, and educational policy to provide you with expert guidance on your professional journey.
Dr. Rebecca Thornton
Founder & Executive Director
With a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Development and 20+ years of experience across classroom, administrative, and policy roles, Rebecca brings a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape. She regularly contributes to national publications on education policy and has been recognized with the National Education Innovation Award.
Marcus Jenkins
Career Development Director
Marcus brings 15 years of experience in educational career counseling, having previously directed teacher recruitment initiatives in urban school districts. His expertise in career transitions and professional development has helped thousands of educators find their ideal roles. He holds a Master's in Education Leadership from Columbia University.
Dr. Sophia Patel
Research & Curriculum Director
Sophia oversees our curriculum development and educational research initiatives. With a background in developmental psychology and 12 years as a university professor, she ensures all our guidance is evidence-based and pedagogically sound. Her research on early career educator development has been published in leading academic journals.
Elena Rodriguez
Community Outreach Coordinator
Elena leads our community engagement efforts, building partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations, and government agencies. Her background in nonprofit management and multicultural education helps ensure our programs reach diverse communities. She speaks five languages and has developed innovative outreach programs in underserved areas.
Our Achievements & Impact
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15,000+ Career Transitions Supported
We've helped over fifteen thousand individuals successfully navigate their path into child education careers, with 92% reporting high job satisfaction after five years in the field. Our personalized guidance approach has resulted in an 87% retention rate for professionals entering the sector—significantly above the national average.
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150+ Educational Partnerships
We've established collaborative relationships with over 150 educational institutions across the country, creating direct pathways for career development and placement opportunities. These partnerships include community colleges, universities, certification programs, and continuing education providers, ensuring our community has access to quality training options.
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500+ Professional Development Workshops
Our team has conducted more than 500 workshops reaching over 25,000 participants nationwide. These interactive sessions cover everything from career entry strategies to specialized training in areas like special education, early childhood development, and educational leadership, with 94% of attendees rating the content as "highly applicable" to their career goals.
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$2.5 Million in Scholarship Funding
We've helped secure and distribute over $2.5 million in scholarship and grant funding to support individuals pursuing education and certification in child-related fields. Our scholarship program particularly focuses on increasing diversity in the educational workforce and supporting career changers who bring valuable experience from other sectors.
What Our Community Says
ChildEduCareer transformed my uncertain career aspirations into a clear, achievable path. Their personalized mentorship program connected me with an experienced preschool director who provided invaluable guidance as I transitioned from corporate work. The practical workshops on classroom management gave me confidence I couldn't have gained from textbooks alone.
Jennifer Watkins
Preschool Teacher, Denver
As a career changer with no formal background in education, I felt overwhelmed by the certifications and requirements needed to work with special needs children. The ChildEduCareer team created a customized roadmap that saved me countless hours of research and prevented several potential missteps. Their scholarship guidance helped me secure funding I didn't know existed.
David Hernandez
Special Education Assistant, Phoenix
As a childcare center director, I've partnered with ChildEduCareer to find qualified staff for three years now. The candidates they refer come exceptionally well-prepared, with realistic expectations and solid foundational knowledge. Their professional development workshops have also been invaluable for my existing staff, particularly in areas like trauma-informed care and inclusive practices.
Aisha Johnson
Childcare Center Director, Atlanta
Ready to Start Your Journey in Child Education?
Whether you're just exploring options or ready to take the next step in your career, our team is here to provide personalized guidance and support.