McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

BY | September 14, 2016

Introducing our new Director of Quality Assessment

We’re excited to announce that Dr. Marie Masterson has joined our team as the Director of Quality Assessment.

In this role, Marie is responsible for managing the McCormick Center’s contracts with the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Human Services to provide program quality monitoring, assessment, and supports for ExceleRate Illinois, the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Marie leads the McCormick Center’s Quality Assessment Team, which conducts classroom and program level assessments across Illinois in public schools, child care centers, Head Start/Early Head Start classrooms, and family child care homes. Her team also provides professional development, peer learning opportunities, and on-going support for the Quality Specialists, Infant Toddler Child Care Specialists, and other coaches working with teachers and leaders participating in ExceleRate Illinois QRIS.



With a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education, Marie has extensive experience teaching in higher education, and providing technical assistance and professional consultation to cross-sector organizations and schools. As early childhood specialist for the Virginia Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood Development, she was responsible for administration, accountability, and technical assistance for the Virginia Preschool Initiative, the state-funded program for children at risk. She provided leadership and support for the Virginia Star Quality Initiative—Virginia’s quality rating and improvement system. Since 2010, she has been active in the development of the Gateways early childhood credentials in Illinois. From her work, she brings deep knowledge and experience of assessment tools and the needed ingredients of quality improvement. Marie describes herself as “an eager learner—always ready to take on new challenges and to collaborate with others to create successful initiatives.” She adds, “I enjoy helping others achieve their goals.”


Marie is the author of numerous articles that focus on strength-based, respectful practices that nurture resilience and promote high-quality early care and education. She is the co-author of101 Principles for Positive Guidance with Young Children: Creating Responsive Teachers, and Enjoying the Parenting Roller Coaster: Nurturing and Empowering Your Children through the Ups and Downs. Three additional books in press address best practices in family child care and high-quality toddler teaching. She is an advocate for the human rights of children and serves on the national board of the U.S. Alliance to End the Hitting of Children.


Please join us in welcoming and congratulating Marie. She can be reached at mmasterson1@nl.edu

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Building Community Partnerships for Lasting Impact

By Cara Murdoch and Sherry Rocha • December 12, 2025
By Cara Murdoch and Sherry Rocha Community collaborations can strengthen your early childhood program, expand services for families, and increase your visibility and credibility as a trusted resource in the community. But effective partnerships don’t begin with a phone call—they start with a plan. Start with internal planning Before reaching out to community members or organizations, gather insights from your internal team. Hold a brief planning meeting to discuss goals, identify needs, and build a shared vision for collaboration. Consider including: Members of your board of directors or advisory board Program staff members Interested family members and parents of enrolled children. REVISIT your mission and goals A clear, shared understanding of your program’s purpose will guide effective partnerships. Before reaching out to community members or organizations, gather insights from your internal team. Hold a brief planning meeting to discuss goals, identify needs, and build a shared vision for collaboration. Consider including: What is your mission? What strengths and expertise do we bring to the community? What challenges do our enrolled families face? What support or resources would be most helpful? What can we offer potential partners in return? Clarity about these questions will ensure that your outreach to community members and organizations is focused and meaningful. Learn about local resources Begin exploring the services and organizations that exist in your community. These may become valuable referral partners or direct collaborators. Examples include: Early intervention services Family support agencies Mental health providers Multilingual tax-preparation volunteers Knowing these resources helps you connect families with the help they need. share your space and services Your early childhood center may be a valuable asset for other groups. Consider offering your space to other programs or groups to strengthen your role as a community hub. Possibilities include: Scouting America or Girl Scout meetings Parenting workshops or support groups Health screenings or nutrition programs Community committee meetings participate in community events Raising visibility in your community opens doors to partnership. Become involved in: Neighborhood clean-up days Local fairs or festivals Library literacy events Cultural celebrations School district events These types of interactions naturally build trust and relationships. build and expand your network Partnerships often begin with small conversations or shared goals. Stay curious and connected—the more people you meet, the more opportunities arise. Potential collaborators include: Museums Public libraries Human services departments Colleges and universities Local schools Cooperative Extension services Hospitals and clinics Banks and financial advisors Mental health agencies Early intervention programs Remember: partnerships are mutually beneficial Successful collaborations are built on: Clear communication Shared goals Appreciation for each other’s strengths A commitment to supporting families and the community Whether the support you receive is financial, advisory, or educational, strong partnerships help everyone thrive. A final thought Community partnerships don’t happen overnight. With the proper planning, your early childhood program can become a powerful and connected resource in your neighborhood. Start small, stay open to ideas, and let relationships grow.
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