Who We Are

The Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children is the Oregon state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Our mission is to promote high-quality, early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.

Governing Board

Executive Committee

Danielle Cunningham, President

Amy Luhn, President Elect

Guadalupe Meza-Burks, Vice President

Merrily Haas, Treasurer

Karissa Bent, Secretary

Eileen Mickie-Johnson, Member-at-Large

Chapter Represetnatives

Elvia Vargas, Estamos Aqui

Karren Andrews, Klamath

Mary-Margaret Stockert, South Coast

Nancy Seward, Southern Oregon

Stephanie Gilbert, Mid-Valley

Tracy Bogard, Weaving our Way

Meet Our Executive Director

R. Taylor, Ed. D.

With three decades of experience in early childhood education, Dr. Taylor began her career as a classroom teacher and home visitor, later serving as a faculty member and administrator of early childhood programs, and as a community college dean. She holds a doctorate in Education Leadership from Portland State University and a master’s in education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University, St. Paul. Her work has focused on supporting families, advancing early childhood education programs, and building community partnerships to improve outcomes for children. A passionate advocate for educators, she serves on numerous local, state, and national boards. She is currently a Commissioner with NAEYC's Higher Education Accreditation System.

ORAEYC: A Legacy of Leading for Oregon

Established in the 1940s as the Portland Association for Nursery Education (PANE), bringing together teachers, child care workers, nurses, and others committed to young children and early learning.
Oregon groups unified in 1958 as the Oregon Association for Nursery Education (OANE), expanding advocacy efforts, legislative involvement, and statewide conferences.
In 1966, the organization became the Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children (OAEYC), later receiving nonprofit status and strengthening its focus on professionalism and public policy.
During the 1990s, OAEYC advanced anti-bias education, diversity leadership, fair compensation efforts, and statewide advocacy for higher standards in early childhood education.
Since 2000, renamed ORAEYC, has expanded professional development, strengthened statewide partnerships, and supported culturally responsive programming through collaborations including Indigenous First Steps.
Today, Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children supports approximately 450 members through regional chapters, professional development, advocacy, and the relaunched ECE Summit.

Join Today

Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children, 2026

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