A 140 Year Story: The Evolution of an Institute

A woman wearing glasses and a suit is smiling in front of a flag.

Sim Loh is a family partnership coordinator at Children’s Village, a nationally-accredited Keystone 4 STARS early learning and school-age enrichment program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, serving about 350 children. She supports children and families, including non-English speaking families of immigrant status, by ensuring equitable access to education, health, employment, and legal information and resources on a day-to-day basis. She is a member of the Children First Racial Equity Early Childhood Education Provider Council, a community member representative of Philadelphia School District Multilingual Advisory Council, and a board member of Historic Philadelphia.

Sim explains, “I ensure families know their rights and educate them on ways to speak up for themselves and request for interpretation/translation services. I share families’ stories and experiences with legislators and decision-makers so that their needs are understood. Attending Leadership Connections will help me strengthen and grow my skills in all domains by interacting with and hearing from experienced leaders in different positions. With newly acquired skills, I seek to learn about the systems level while paying close attention to the accessibility and barriers of different systems and resources and their impacts on young children and their families.”

A table showing the comparison of pre and post intervention of fas scores

by Lisa M. Downey

Elizabeth Harrison once said, “There is nothing great accomplished in this world without faith in its greatness.”

Harrison, an educator and advocate for the kindergarten movement in the United States, settled in Chicago in 1885 and worked alongside other visionary women of the time to create a training school for kindergarten teachers and mothers that, at the time, was a truly radical idea. The prevailing thought of the day was that children should not attend school until they were at least 6 years of age. In the U.S., due to poverty and a gross lack of child labor laws, children were usually engaged in farming, industry, or other work-based activities within the home. Also, in the late 1800’s, most teachers were white men. Further, it was commonly believed that, if you were wealthy, a woman’s place was in the home and in support of society through philanthropic activities. If you were not wealthy, you were likely working in factories, farms, or other domestic forms of employment. The idea that women would be teachers was ludicrous to some. Harrison sought to change that, by empowering women and mothers to connect with their children in ways that were play based, focused on holistic development, and based on the theories and practices of Owen, Pestalozzi, Froebel, and Montessori.

In 1891, Miss Harrison’s Training School was incorporated as the Chicago Kindergarten College. Harrison had very strict requirements for her students. She required a high school diploma, and her program was three years in length. Harrison is often credited with being one of the first to maintain high standards and uniform training for teachers in early childhood. Later, in 1930, Harrison’s College became the National College of Education, introducing the first four-year training program for teachers in Illinois. The College eventually evolved into the present-day National Louis University (NLU), an urban institution that focuses on innovation, access, excellence, and equity. Today, NLU embodies Elizabeth Harrison’s spirit in many ways, from maintaining high standards of excellence to finding ways to innovate, despite the changing tides of society, resources, and political ideologies.

Elizabeth Harrison is the reason I came to NLU as a young professional seeking a master’s degree. After being a childcare center director for a number of years, I saw the difficulties facing our workforce and programs across Chicago, and I wanted to make a difference. I enrolled at NLU after researching my options in Chicago and decided on NLU after learning about Harrison. After Harrison’s death, a close friend and correspondent of hers said, “Her keen sense of justice made her staunch in defense of what she believed was right.” I thought, “This place seems to have change in its DNA—I want to be a part of that.”

When I was ready to leave direct service behind, I went in search of training opportunities to help me plan my next step. It was then that I came across a training course being offered by the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University, aptly called “Next Step”. NLU again.

During that training I met Dr. Paula Jorde Bloom, the founder of the Center for Early Childhood Leadership. Jorde Bloom started the Center in 1985 in an effort to identify, define, and support the competencies of early childhood program administrators and to bring credibility to the importance and complexity of the administrator’s role. While I was taking the Next Step training, Paula passed along two important lessons. The first was that advocacy takes on all forms—it can be in your face and loud, or it can be quieter and more systematic. The second was that when you diffuse your work across many areas of focus it becomes diluted. She told me to find my passion and stick with it—I would make more impact that way.

Wise Words

My training with Dr. Jorde Bloom and the Center led me to eventually becoming an ECE faculty member at NLU. I chose NLU for my next professional home because I knew what was at the heart of NLU—the mission and vision of Elizabeth Harrison. I also knew that focusing on preparing the next generation of teachers and leaders in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) would speak to Paula’s advice for me. I could focus on where my passions lie and where I thought I could enact the most change.

Paula Jorde Bloom once said, “A problem is simply the gap between what is desired and what currently exists.” During my years at NLU as faculty and an Associate Dean, I began to see a pattern. We could train and graduate countless professionals, but the landscape remained the same. Teacher turnover continued to be high. Wages continued to be subpar, and accessible preparation opportunities for the field were in low supply. Further, there did not seem to be much research or discussion about how to support a troubled and flailing field. An idea began to take shape and bloom.

Because of our prominence and collective work in the field of ECEC, a group of us at NLU began talking about how to better impact the profession in lasting ways that could help address the ills of the landscape we found ourselves in. Our first goal was to bring all the ECEC assets at NLU under one figurative umbrella to create a more dynamic impact on the field. We needed to get everyone together in the same room and on the same page. As a result, we recognized that it is not enough to train teachers and leaders, we must continue to cultivate the landscape through applied research, community and policy engagement, and innovation that drives excellence for our entire profession.

These early talks led to the birth of a new enterprise at NLU. Thanks to generous funding from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, The McCormick Institute for Early Childhood was launched in the academic year 2024–2025.

“The next era for the ECEC profession has arrived.”

Personally, I was thrilled to be named to the position of Executive Director, as it allowed me to contribute to the rich legacy of ECEC-related work at NLU, and if I got to walk in the footsteps of Elizabeth Harrison and Paula Jorde Bloom— even better!

Today NLU trains and prepares more ECEC professionals than any other institution in Illinois. The Center for Early Childhood Leadership is the flagship program of the Institute and is nationally recognized as the premier organization for advancing leaders as levers of quality in ECEC. This year, the Institute will launch an applied research agenda designed to impact the preparation, sustainment, and advancement of the profession. We will also use our research to engage community partners, advocates, and policy makers as we work to create lasting change for the profession that positively impacts children, families and communities. We will continue to lead innovation for the field of ECEC with programming that pushes the limits of what has been thought to be standard practice for the preparation of our field, while focusing on those areas of preparation where there are the most critical gaps and needs.

The next era for the ECEC profession has arrived. The McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University is excited to be a vital part of the continued conversation. So am I.

References

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2024, December 23). Kindergarten. Encyclopædia Britannica. britannica.com/ topic/kindergarten

Harrison, E. (1922). The Unseen Side of Child Life: For the Guardians of Young Children. Elizabeth Harrison’s Writings. 4. digitalcommons.nl.edu

Snyder, A. (n.d.). Dauntless Women in Early Childhood Education: 1856–1931. ERIC. files.eric.ed.gov

University, N. L. (n.d.). National Louis University: Our history. National Louis University. nl.edu

Dr. Lisa Downey is the Executive Director of the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University (NLU), where she oversees all programming and operations. She leads a team of 75 staff dedicated to advancing the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) profession through leadership, applied research, community and policy engagement, and innovative professional preparation. With over 35 years of experience in the field, Dr. Downey’s career includes roles as a toddler classroom teacher, child care center director, Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) resource developer, training coordinator, and Director of Provider Services at Illinois Action for Children, where she managed CCR&R professional development for the Chicago area. She has been a faculty member at NLU for more than 14 years. Today, Dr. Downey focuses on addressing the complex challenges facing the ECEC workforce, creating scalable solutions that support the profession and ensure children, families, and communities thrive now and in the future.

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Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship Recipient Monique Watts-Dennis Reflects on her Leadership Connections 2026 Experience

By Monique Watts-Dennis • June 10, 2026

Attending the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood's Leadership Connections conference as a recipient of the Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship was both an honor and a transformative experience. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in a conference that brought together passionate leaders from across the field of early childhood education, all dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children, families, and educators. Throughout the conference, I gained valuable insights from inspiring presenters and informative sessions that challenged me to reflect on my own leadership journey. The experience encouraged me to think beyond my daily responsibilities and consider how I can continue to grow as a leader while making a meaningful impact within my program, my community, and the early childhood profession as a whole. One moment, in particular, changed my outlook entirely. During the Leadership Colloquium, I had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Teri Talan share her professional journey from the beginning of her career to where she is today. She shared a story about Paula Jorde Bloom , the founder of the McCormick Institute, asking her where she saw herself in the future. Teri responded that she saw herself working alongside Paula. Paula’s response was something along the lines of, “I have funding for one year, but after that, you’ll need to find grants to support your position.” That story resonated deeply with me. It was a reminder that opportunities often begin with a vision, but they grow through determination, persistence, and a willingness to advocate for what you believe is needed. That evening, I returned to my hotel room feeling inspired and energized; maybe a little too inspired. I immediately sent my Executive Director a proposal for a Family Support Specialist position and shared why I believe this role would benefit our center, our families, and our children along with why I should lead the creation of this role within our center. In that moment, I realized that leadership is not just about having ideas, it’s about taking action. Teri’s story and McCormick Institute Executive Director Dr. Lisa Downey’s words on prioritizing the needs of your child care center encouraged me to stop waiting for the “right time” and instead advocate for the changes I believe can make a meaningful difference. While the sessions provided valuable knowledge and inspiration, some of the most meaningful learning happened outside the conference rooms. Conversations during lunch, networking opportunities, and informal discussions with fellow providers and leaders about the knowledge we gained within sessions allowed me to hear different perspectives, share experiences, celebrate successes, and learn from the challenges others have faced, many are the same I am facing now. These connections reminded me that leadership is not something we do alone. The relationships formed throughout the conference created a sense of community and support that I carry with me. This experience also strengthened my confidence that I am exactly where I am meant to be. Supporting children, families, and educators has always been a passion of mine, but this conference helped me recognize the deeper purpose behind that work. It reminded me that every relationship built, every family supported, and every child encouraged has the potential to create lasting positive change. The work we do in early childhood education is foundational, and I am proud to be part of a profession that helps children thrive during some of the most important years of their lives. The knowledge, conversations, and relationships gained through Leadership Connections have reinforced my commitment to helping children thrive and empowering families to succeed. I have been inspired by the dedication, resilience, and passion of fellow leaders and encouraged to continue growing both personally and professionally so that I can better serve those who depend on me. I leave this experience feeling energized, motivated, and grateful. More importantly, I leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of my role as a leader in early childhood education. The lessons learned, relationships formed, and inspiration gained through this experience will continue to influence my work and leadership for years to come. As I end, I reflect on this year's conference theme, "ONWARD," I am reminded that growth is not a destination but a journey. To me, ONWARD represents resilience, purpose, and the commitment to keep moving forward even when challenges arise. This experience has provided me with new tools, fresh perspectives, meaningful connections, and renewed confidence in my work. For that, I am deeply thankful to the McCormick Institute and honored to have been selected as a Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship recipient. ONWARD! Learn more about the annual Leadership Connections national conference. The Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship Fund supports emerging and aspiring early childhood leaders who are dedicated to providing the highest quality care and education for children and families. Scholarship recipients receive complimentary full-conference registration to Leadership Connections, meals provided to conference registrants, and up to three nights lodging at the conference hotel.