Leading the Leaders: The Enduring Impact of Founder Paula Jorde Bloom

Paula Jorde Bloom — a visionary leader, author, and educator — founded the Center for Early Childhood Leadership in 1985, which has grown into the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University.

In 1975, with the support of local philanthropists, Paula Jorde Bloom designed and brought to life the child care center of her dreams in Alamo, California. However, operating a sustainable program required more skills and knowledge than Paula felt she possessed.

“While I had been a very talented and accomplished classroom teacher, I had no clue about program administration and had (received) no formal organizational leadership and management courses,” Paula reflected. “At that time, I didn’t know the difference between a debit and a credit.” This experience fueled Paula’s passion and life’s work.

She dedicated the rest of her life to bringing national attention to the role of leaders in early care and education and inspiring those leaders to learn more and improve the quality of their programs. Paula completed her doctorate at Stanford University, moved to the Chicago area, and started as an assistant professor at National Louis University (then National College of Education).

In 1985, she applied for and received a $600 Membership Action Grant from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to start the Early Childhood Professional Development Project. Ultimately, the project, which focused on directors of early care and education programs, led to the founding of another center. This one, though, would focus on leadership development for early childhood professionals. Her goals for the Center for Early Childhood Leadership were to identify, define, and support the competencies of early childhood program administrators, and to underscore the importance and complexity of the administrator’s role.

Paula’s far-reaching impact on early childhood is widely recognized and much celebrated. Paula passed away on February 17, 2018, after living with cancer for nearly two decades.

Paula used a $600 grant to build a thriving, nationally recognized organization with an annual budget of over $5 million. Today, the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood is a driving force in improving the quality of early childhood education nationwide.

Paula is honored each year at the McCormick Institute’s Leadership Connections National Conference. Her ideas, quotes, and books are used throughout the McCormick Institute’s programs as the organization continues her legacy.

Paula Jorde Bloom proved that leadership in early childhood education matters and that when women are empowered to lead, entire generations benefit. During Women’s History Month, we celebrate not only her achievements but the thousands of leaders who continue to walk the path she created.