Cynthia recently retired from the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District as the principal of the nationally acclaimed Early Childhood Center (ECC) for 20 years with one additional year as transitional coordinator. ECC is a Pre-K through 2nd grade school, inspired by preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, with a deep belief that children thrive when space is created for their ideas to be heard, their wonderings considered, and their questions honored within a collaborative setting.

In her retirement, Cynthia continues to study the ideas of how to create conditions where children acquire skills to ensure academic success with the confidence to grapple with big ideas and the ability to represent their understandings. She will be supporting the work of our youngest learners at the Center in the already completed infant and toddler room. Cynthia’s husband, Danny, was a shop steward at Anheuser Bush and served as United Ways representative for the trades, as well, until he retired.

• Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood Special Education, St. Louis University

• MA, Maryville University in Early Educational Process

• PhD, Ed Leadership from St. Louis University