Racial Equity | Policy [M]atters, Season 4, Episode 2

McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

BY Teri Talan, Senior Policy Advisor | July 22, 2019

Policy Matters is a video chat series between Teri Talan, Michael W. Louis Chair and Senior Policy Advisor at the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership, and guest thought leaders in early childhood policy. Our guests for this season are: Dr. Aisha Ray, Distinguished Fellow, BUILD Initiative; Dr. Cynthia Tate, Executive Director, Illinois Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development; and Ashley Nazarak, Vice President of Learning and Evaluation, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.


Want to catch up or revisit the series? Explore previous chats and topics here.

WELCOME TO POLICY MATTERS, SEASON 4, EPISODE 2.


In episode 2, Cynthia and Teri focus on Illinois’ early childhood policies when viewed through a racial equity lens.


These topics were recently explored at the Public Policy Forum at the 2019 Leadership Connections™ National Conference. If you were unable to attend the conference or attended the forum and want to continue to dialogue with our forum presenters, please post questions and comments on the website.


Dr. Teri Talan is Michael W. Louis Chair and Senior Policy Advisor at the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership and Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at National Louis University. She is co-author of the Program Administration Scale (PAS), Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care (BAS), Escala de Evaluación de la Administración de Negocios, and Who’s Caring for the Kids? The Status of the Early Childhood Workforce in Illinois.
Policy [M]atters Season 4, Episode 2

The blue logo for the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood, featuring a stylized letter M next to the organization name.
By Emilie Austin April 13, 2026
Emilie Austin is the Manager of Learning Experience Design and Innovation for the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University. In this role, she leads the design, development, and implementation of innovative instructional solutions that enhance learning outcomes and advance the Institute’s mission to strengthen early childhood leadership and practice. Emilie collaborates with subject matter experts, trainers, and institutional partners to create engaging, accessible, and research-informed learning experiences across multiple modalities, including e-learning, blended, and instructor-led formats. As part of her work, Emilie champions the integration of emerging technologies and pedagogical best practices such as AI-driven personalization, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and competency-based education to foster meaningful learning experiences for professionals in the early childhood field. She also provides leadership in continuous quality improvement, supporting data-informed design and innovation across MIEC programs. She is passionate about advancing equitable, learner-centered education and empowering educators through creative and effective instructional design.
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