Board of Directors
The AzAEYC Board of Directors oversees the actions and promotes the mission and goals of NAEYC in Arizona. In working to advance the early childhood profession, the AzAEYC Board of Directors supports all who care for, educate and work on behalf of young children.
Victoria Damjanovic, Ph.D., has been in the early childhood education field for more than 30 years. She is currently an assistant professor in early childhood education and early childhood special education in the department of Teaching and Learning as well as Educational Specialties at Northern Arizona University.
Victoria served on the Florida chapter of NAEYC (FLAEYC) for 2 years prior to moving to Arizona.
I feel it is more important now than ever to support and advance the field of early childhood education. Teachers in the field need support and resources as we face a mass exodus of educators, especially in early childhood. Children and their families need access to quality care that is equitable and just.
These are the areas that I feel the most passionate about and I hope to serve on the Arizona AEYC board to advance our field in the state of Arizona.
Diane Salazar, M.Ed. | Vice President, Membership
Diane Salazar, M.Ed., currently serves as Principal of Faith North Early Childhood Learning Center in the Phoenix Elementary School District #1. As part of her role as Principal, Ms. Salazar oversees the district’s site-based preschool program and collaborates with local agencies to support the City of Phoenix Head Start programs located at Phoenix #1 K-8 campuses.
Diane is passionate about Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), and is currently leading a Phoenix #1 initiative to develop a shared understanding of DAP for leaders and kindergarten teachers.
Early care and education is critical not only for student long-term success in school, but also in building resilient communities. Child development is the focus of early learning, but also essential is supporting parents to understand their child’s development and learning. Students who participate in quality early learning programs are more ready for kindergarten, graduate from high school at higher rates, and are more likely to be successful after high school.
Children should have positive experiences in their early learning contexts, whether they attend private day care, preschool, or wherever their formal education begins.
Susan Randolph | Treasurer
Penni Case, M.Ed. | Secretary
Penni Case, M.Ed. has served as an early childhood special education teacher for over 16 years. Currently, she is the early childhood special education program director in Page Unified School District serving the small, rural community of on the Utah border, surrounded by national forest land and the vast Navajo Reservation.
In her role, she works closely with the community’s local Head Start, the tribal Head Start, and with community members to improve access to early childhood care and education.
Penni often collaborates with healthcare professionals to increase early childhood developmental screenings and advocates for increased access through a project coordination system that aims to make the community members aware and access available resources.
My goal is to help to make the state of Arizona a better place for children and families. The program I oversee is an inclusive preschool that serves as an example of how to provide a high-quality program that services all neuro-diverse students. It is composed of students who are diverse in terms of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is my passion to keep this program inclusive. I have worked to do so by advocating for funding at the district, community, state, and federal levels. by advocating for quality care and education. Young children are our future, and we need to invest in them intentionally and wisely.
Lynn Hockenberger, B.A. | Member-at-Large
Lynn Hockenberger, B.A., serves as Director of Children of Hope Child Development Center, a 5-Star Quality First preschool located on the campus of Esperanza Lutheran Church in the Ahwatukee Foothills. An early childhood educator for more than 20 years, Lynn is passionate about providing a high-quality early learning experience for her students and families, and committed to implementing developmentally appropriate practices that nurture the cognitive, social-emotional, spiritual, and physical growth of the students.
Lynn’s work extends beyond the classroom as she holds the Faith Seat on the First Things First East Maricopa Regional Council where she participates in a sub-committee focused on the effects of trauma on a child’s developing brain. Lynn was recently awarded the Early Childhood Director of the Year from the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association and she holds an Early Childhood Director’s Credential from National Louis University.
It is an honor to serve as Member-at-Large on the AzAEYC Board. Having been an NAEYC member since 2017 I believe in the work of this board and have seen firsthand the difference that high quality early childhood education can make on the trajectory of a child’s life, and consequently strengthening our communities. I will work hard as a board member to promote awareness and access to early learning and care, and will advocate for all of Arizona’s students, families, and workforce.
Lauren Hardy | Member-at-Large, Student
Lauren Hardy A.A.S., is a gymnastics coach for toddlers and preschool-age children and an after-school STEM instructor at local elementary schools. With over 11 years of experience working with children in various roles in early childcare centers around the Valley, she strives to advocate for the children and families while supporting the community.
Lauren holds an associate’s degree in Early Learning and Development from Rio Salado and is attending Grand Canyon University where she’s working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education.
Every child is unique and development is not linear. With continued education, research, and advocacy we are able to implement developmentally appropriate practices while supporting the whole child.
I hope to represent and encourage the future generation of educators by serving on the board and continuing to engage in educational and professional growth.
Katherine Kicey, M.Ed | Appointed Member-at-Large, Higher Education
Katherine Kicey, M.Ed, has an extensive background in teaching young children, spanning from toddlers to first graders, in various educational settings, including school districts, and the Arizona State University Child Development Lab. Her teaching experience encompasses working with Title One schools, second language learners, home visiting programs, and inclusive classrooms.
Katherine has also dedicated her time and expertise to non-profit organizations, with a focus on enhancing the lives of children aged from birth to five years. She has actively contributed to the First Things First grant initiative, collaborating with and training early childhood infant, toddler, and preschool providers in play and relationship-based teaching practices. This work has involved conducting observations and coaching in childcare and HeadStart centers across Arizona.
Currently, she is actively engaged in the Early Childhood Studies program, where her primary focus is elevating the early childhood profession. Her approach centers on empowering online students as they engage in coursework and gain practical experience in the field, working with young children aged 0-5 years who have not yet entered kindergarten. Katherine’s teaching philosophy emphasizes relationship and play-based methods while fostering strong connections with both her students and the wider community to advance the field of early childhood education.
Gordon Brown | Chair, Valley of the Sun Chapter of AzAEYC
Patricia Miranda, M.Ed. | Chair, Yuma Chapter of AzAEYC
Patricia Miranda, M.Ed., is the Education Specialist Statewide for Chicanos por la Causa, Yuma Chapter, and leads the Wee of the Young Child committee.
Patricia hold’s a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, is a CPR/FA instructor, and is also a lead instructor for the Arizona Workforce Registry.
She has been married for 25 years and is the mother of 4 and grandmother to 3. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family.
