About

Dr. Carla Bryant has over thirty years of national experience creating culturally competent policies, programs, and procedures for comprehensive early learning, P-3, elementary, family support, and after-school programs. She is the co-founder of the Center for District Innovation and Leadership in Early Education (DIAL EE) which sits in Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington. DIAL EE focuses on supporting school districts to succeed in creating and implementing effective early learning structures that assist children from communities with less social, political, and monetary capital to build a strong educational foundation.  

Previously as the Chief of the Early Education Department for San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), Dr. Bryant was successful in implementing a P-12 vision, aligning curriculum and instruction across grades, P-3. Dr. Bryant oversaw the development and implementation of Transitional Kindergarten (TK) in SFUSD and integrated community-based and district early education practices through strategic partnerships. During Carla’s tenure, SFUSD’s kindergarten readiness benchmark improved from 37% to 55% in three years.    

Before going to SFUSD, Dr. Bryant was a strategic advisor for the City of Seattle where she co-created the Seattle Early Education Collaborative (SEEC), a community-based early learning system that joined disparately funded programs (federal, state, local, and private) into one system that included joint assessment and accountability, professional development, and transition processes. SEEC was an integral part of the Seattle Public Schools P-3 model and was highlighted by the National League of Cities as one of four cities with progressive plans to align the early learning and K-12 education systems. 

Dr. Bryant received her Ph.D. from the University of Washington in special education, M.Ed. in early childhood education from Georgia State University, and B.B.A. from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Karen Vang is the Program Manager at the Center for District Innovation And Leadership in Early Education. She provides administrative and operational support. Before joining DIAL EE, Karen was responsible for managing early literacy assessments in Oakland, CA, for over 1000 children, conducting data analysis for continuous program improvement, and coordinating professional development across multiple agencies at the Kenneth Rainin Foundation. She initially began her career in early childcare as a student assistant with infants and toddlers, and has also worked as a literacy tutor in a Transitional Kindergarten classroom. Karen holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley.

Mike Browne (he/him) is the Senior Director of Community Engagement for Cultivate Learning at the University at Washington. He’s a New York raised, Afro-Caribbean, former tap-dancer and collegiate athlete, working towards dismantling White Supremacy and forms of oppression in our society. After exchanging his tap and football shoes for a chance to live and work in London and Spain, he returned back to the states and to his passion of early learning as an educator, coach, and consultant. Bringing with him his sense for discovery, wonder, and awe, he addresses the social and political crisis in education and care that results in the physical and psychological harm of our youngest citizens. He co-hosts a podcast called “Napcast” (available on Spotify and Apple Music) with his buddy Nick Terrones (he/him) that explores the intersection of race, culture, and identity in ECE. Follow him on Twitter @miguelitobrowne

Sherri Killins Stewart, Ed. D is the President/CEO of Leaders Making It Possible. Dr. Stewart has worked with and on behalf of children, families, and communities in various ways for more than 35 years, both as a direct care provider and in leadership roles. She leads work to define and create intentional practices that increase opportunity and remove barriers in early childhood systems, policies, and programs. Dr. Killins Stewart has worked at multiple levels in various states and communities to create tailored actions to benefit young children and their families. Dr. Killins Stewart holds a nursing degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Administrative Science from Johns Hopkins University, and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Sarasota. Dr. Killins Stewart  earned a Massachusetts Superintendents license in 2013.