News: Director at La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten was a spotlighted board member at SDAEYC’s
SDAEYC: www.sandiegoaeyc.org
Cindy CesenaSDAEYC’s Board Member Spotlight is a column dedicated to introducingyou to featured Board Members. Get to know our Board Members andlearn about their contributions to the early education community.Cindy Cesena joined SDAEYC in 1976 when shebegan her undergraduate studies. She has been involvedwith coordinating State conferences, providing workshops,assisting on committees, serving as an NAEYC programvalidator, and much more through the years. Today she isthe committee chairperson for Administrators and Directors.The purpose of the committee is to provide a forum for childdevelopment professionals to share insight and enhancetheir skills in accomplishing the myriad of daily details and responsibilitiesfacing administrators of programs for young children.Cindy has worked in university programs, federal programs, stateprograms, and private programs for young children. Her goal was to one dayopen a school in her childhood community, and she did just that. She isthe founder and executive director of Nationally Accredited La Costa ValleyPreschool and Kindergarten in coastal north county.The school was opened in 1991 and by 1992 was accredited. Shecredits this accomplishment to hard work by many, with tremendous supportfrom family, child development professionals, and fellow members such asDorothy Hewes. Cindy had the good fortune to not only be an SDSU childdevelopment student of Dorothy’s but later work with her in her role as director/manager of the Campus Children’s Center. Due to her future goals, Dorothyand other faculty encouraged her to consider obtaining an MBA degree tocompliment her undergraduate degree. She listened to this advice andsubsequently obtained an MBA degree in marketing.Her credentials include advanced California child developmentteaching and administration programs credentials, business and childdevelopment community college credentials, high school child developmentand business credentials. She is also an ordained minister with credentials foryouth and family counseling.“Through the years, SDAEYC and its members have offered support,suggestions and sometimes just someone to kick up one’s heels with andhave some fun. It’s a supportive group of advocates from all kinds of programsand all walks of life. There is something for everyone. I highly recommendthe journey”, said Cesena. Email her to join the committee for administratorsand directors.For more information on SDAEYC membership and othercommittees, visit us online at www.sandiegoaeyc.org.