McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

BY | June 19, 2018

Remembering Paula Jorde Bloom

Paula jorde bloom was born in 1947 and died in 2018

It is with great sadness that we share with you the news of the passing of Dr. Paula Jorde Bloom—our founder, an extraordinary visionary, and a “gatekeeper to quality.” 


For nearly two decades, Paula lived with a cancer that was expected to take her life years ago, outlasting numerous doctors’ predictions. Paula died at her home on Saturday, February 17, 2018, in Lake Bluff, Illinois.


Paula’s journey in early childhood leadership began in 1975, when, with the support of local philanthropists, she designed and brought to life the child care center of her dreams in Alamo, California. Classrooms were spacious. Windows were abundant. Farm animals and a vegetable garden were thriving in an expansive yard. Children were happy and engaged with a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Yet, something was missing. 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 had 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.


Paula dedicated the rest of her life to not only bringing national attention to the role of leaders in early care and education, but also to inspiring those leaders to learn more and improve the quality of their programs. She went on to be an instructor at Mills College and the director of the campus lab school. 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 those in early childhood. Her goals for the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership were 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 nationally renowned, and the executive director of a premier organization, Paula was surprisingly humble. She was also gracious in her unwavering drive to support early childhood program leaders. She did not take “no” for an answer. Paula was able to grow the McCormick Center and improve standards for administrators as a result.


Throughout the next 30 years, Paula devoted her work to supporting program administrators, whom she referred to as the “gatekeepers to quality.” She authored scores of journal articles and resources including the widely read Director’s Toolbox management book series and the Early Childhood Work Environment Survey (ECWES), an organizational climate assessment tool. She also co-authored the first valid and reliable tools to measure early childhood leadership and management, the Program Administration Scale (PAS) and the Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care (BAS). Academically, she chaired the department of early childhood education, became the Michael W. Louis endowed chair, and more recently became professor emerita. In her spare time, when not immersed in activities with her beloved husband Darrell and their family, Paula was president of New Horizons, a publishing company specializing in resources to support program administration.


Over the years, Paula served on countless boards and committees informing their work in the development of early childhood director competencies, credentials, and coursework. Her pioneering efforts have been the basis for the national and state emphasis that exists on leadership today. Early observations led Paula to recognize that there were not many professional development opportunities for early childhood leaders, so she began Taking Charge of Change, a groundbreaking year-long institute where directors could learn best practices, be mentored, and network. The institute now serves as a model for states striving to improve program quality. Her maxim “quality is a moving target” guided a myriad of directors to embrace systems thinking and create work environments where the norm was continuous quality improvement.


This norm of perpetual growth was not just for the directors whom she served. It also became a guiding principle for the McCormick Center. Paula inspired us to move mountains and taught us that we are catalysts for change. She was the embodiment of what she preached. We will miss the positive energy she instantaneously generated upon entering a room.


Paula’s far-reaching impact on the field of early childhood is widely recognized and much celebrated, most recently being named a doyen by Exchange. For her retirement celebration in 2014, scores of colleagues across the country called the McCormick Center to leave Paula voicemails of endearment, congratulations, and a tremendous amount of gratitude. You can listen to some of them here, as well as read Paula’s inspiring retirement address. Unsurprisingly, Paula did not stop working when she “retired.” Instead, she worked on new editions of several of her most widely read books and trainer’s guides. And, despite knowing her time among us was nearing an end, Paula continued to work on projects and offer insights that will undoubtedly move the field forward.


“We are somber today and at the same time celebrating everything Paula contributed and the legacy she began with just a few hundred dollars and a single idea,” said Teri Talan, Michael W. Louis Chair of the McCormick Center. “We are dedicated to building on Paula’s tremendous vision and contributions. Our drive to improve the quality of early childhood education nationwide persists. We remain dedicated to supporting administrators in their passion to provide high-quality programs for the families and children who depend on their leadership.”


Thank you, Paula. Thousands of children, families, and early childhood leaders have a brighter future because of you.

 

A memorial service to celebrate Paula’s life will be held on March 2nd at 1:00 p.m. in the John and Nancy Hughes Theater at the Gorton Center, 400 East Illinois Road, Lake Forest, IL 60044. A reception will follow in the Stuart Room. Paula’s family has asked us to share that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship Fund for Leadership Education at the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University, 6200 Capitol Drive, Wheeling, IL 60090.

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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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