Becoming a Fellow and Cohort VII

MECLP Cohort VII Fellows

Saba Ahmed

Early Childhood Leader, Trainer & Consultant

Saba Ahmed is an early childhood leader, trainer, consultant, and advocate with more than 20 years of experience supporting educators, children, families, and early learning programs. Through her training and consulting work, Saba creates collaborative learning environments where educators can reflect, grow, and apply research-based strategies to their everyday practice. Her approach draws on neuroscience, inclusion, social-emotional development, and understanding the reasons behind children’s behavior. Saba also serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Maryland and holds degrees in Elementary and Special Education. She is passionate about strengthening the early childhood workforce and ensuring that educators and children have the support they need to thrive.

 

Christopher Antoine

Early Childhood Program Director | Prince George’s County

Christopher Antoine is an early childhood leader with more than 20 years of experience serving children, families, and early learning programs in Prince George’s County. He currently serves as the Director of a licensed faith-based early childhood program serving children ages 2–12. Christopher began his career in education as a tutor and teaching aide and has since focused on strengthening early learning programs and opportunities for children in his community. He is an active member of NAEYC and the Maryland State Child Care Association and serves as Vice President of the Prince George’s County chapter of MSCCA. Through MECLP, Christopher seeks to expand his leadership capacity and collaborate with fellow leaders to strengthen Maryland’s early childhood system.

 

Leigh Baker

Early Childhood Educator & Higher Education Faculty

Leigh is an early childhood and special education professional whose career began in special education and later expanded into pre-K and higher education. She currently teaches credit and noncredit courses in early childhood and special education at Anne Arundel Community College, where she supports current and future educators and works to strengthen Maryland’s early childhood workforce. Her professional interests include early literacy, dyslexia, special education, family engagement, educator well-being, and workforce development. She holds a master’s degree in Special Education and a post-graduate certificate in Dyslexia and serves on Maryland’s Pyramid Model State Leadership Team.

 

Terena Bateman

Judy Center Site Coordinator | Wicomico County

Terena Bateman serves as the Site Coordinator for the Judy Center at West Salisbury Elementary, where she oversees early childhood programming, manages grant performance measures, and leads initiatives to expand services for children and families. With more than 30 years of experience across public and non-public education, Terena has served in classroom, administrative, and community-based roles supporting children and families from birth through high school. Her leadership is grounded in meeting families where they are and building strong foundations for early learning. Through MECLP, Terena hopes to strengthen her strategic planning skills and build collaborative partnerships to better serve Maryland communities.

 

Inette Bolden

Coach Coordinator | Montgomery County Child Care Support Services

Inette Bolden is an early childhood education leader, coach, trainer, and advocate with more than 20 years of experience supporting educators, children, families, and early learning programs. As Coach Coordinator with Montgomery County Child Care Support Services, she supports coaching initiatives for child care providers and leads professional learning focused on curriculum, teaching practices, equity, inclusion, and program quality. Her career includes experience with NAEYC, Teaching Strategies, and early childhood programs in both operational and educational roles. Inette holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Studies with a concentration in Teaching and Diversity. She is passionate about empowering educators and strengthening the quality of early childhood programs throughout Maryland.

 

Janiecka Brown

Child Development Specialist | Infant Mental Health Family Specialist

Janiecka Brown is a Child Development Specialist and endorsed Infant Mental Health Family Specialist with more than 30 years of experience in early childhood education. Her career has included roles as an infant-toddler teacher, Head Start teacher, center administrator, and continuing education instructor, as well as work in professional development, coaching, mentoring, consulting, and reflective supervision. Janiecka holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Erikson Institute, with certificates in Leadership and Advocacy and Social-Emotional Learning. Her work is grounded in the belief that social-emotional development provides the foundation for learning and healthy child outcomes. Through MECLP, she hopes to strengthen her leadership and advocacy efforts to advance social-emotional learning across Maryland.

 

Gabriela Cordero

Latino Programs Manager | Parent Encouragement Program

Gabriela Cordero is a social development professional, parent educator, and community advocate with more than 17 years of experience supporting children and families in Nicaragua and Maryland. As Latino Programs Manager at the Parent Encouragement Program, she leads parenting education and family support initiatives serving Latino communities and has expanded the program’s reach while strengthening culturally and linguistically responsive programming. Her work brings together family engagement, early education, community partnerships, and social development. Gabriela holds bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Business Administration and is pursuing a Master of Social Work at the University of Maryland. Through MECLP, she hopes to strengthen her leadership and advocacy skills to help build more responsive systems for children and families.

 

Mital Gajjar

Early Childhood Educator | University of Maryland Center for Young Children

Mital Gajjar is an early childhood educator and advocate passionate about high-quality early learning, disability inclusion, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She currently works at the University of Maryland’s Center for Young Children in College Park, where she has experienced the impact of project-based learning in supporting children’s curiosity, collaboration, and development. Mital holds a Child Development Associate credential and completed Maryland’s early childhood apprenticeship program at Harford Community College. She also serves as a Commissioner on the Montgomery County Commission for Women. A lifelong advocate for disability inclusion and accessibility, Mital is pursuing a master’s degree in Infant/Primary Special Education at Towson University. Through MECLP, she hopes to strengthen her leadership skills and advance inclusive opportunities for children, families, and communities.

 

Sasha Hernández-Ticali

Youth and Family Programs Director | Y in Pasadena

Sasha Hernández-Ticali is the Youth and Family Programs Director at the Y in Pasadena, where she leads programs designed to provide children and families with equitable access to safe, enriching care. With a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Sasha brings a developmental perspective to program design, staff training, family engagement, and early childhood programming. Her work is grounded in the belief that access to quality care is foundational to healthy child development and should be available to all families. Sasha is also a certified fitness instructor and advocates for whole-family wellness and inclusive community spaces. As a mother of three, she brings both professional and personal experience to her commitment to creating accessible, supportive environments for children and families.

 

Jamie Jenkins

Judy Center Early Learning Hub Program Specialist | Maryland State Department of Education

Jamie Jenkins is an early childhood professional and advocate with more than 10 years of experience supporting young children, families, educators, and communities. As a Judy Center Early Learning Hub Program Specialist with the Maryland State Department of Education, she provides leadership, technical assistance, and support to local Judy Center programs and their community partners. Her professional interests include family engagement, early literacy, equitable access to early learning, and strengthening early childhood systems. Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Studies from Walden University. Through MECLP, she seeks to expand her leadership and advocacy skills and strengthen collaboration across Maryland’s early childhood system.

 

Gail Newman

Pre-K Educator | Early Childhood Leader

Gail Newman is an early childhood educator with more than 23 years of experience teaching young children, primarily in pre-K settings. Originally from Ukraine, Gail came to the United States as a refugee at age 18 and later earned a bachelor’s degree in Educational Psychology from UMBC. She is a certified mentor and Trainer of Trainers who is passionate about supporting children’s development and helping educators create caring, responsive learning environments. Gail believes that strong relationships are the foundation for learning and is committed to ensuring every child feels valued and supported. Through MECLP, she hopes to expand her leadership skills and increase her impact on children and families across Maryland.

 

Teresha Sutton

Early Childhood Leader | Nonprofit Founder

Teresha Sutton is an early childhood educator, nonprofit founder, community advocate, and emerging higher education professional with nearly 25 years of experience serving children, families, and communities. She operated a licensed family child care program in Edgewood for more than two decades, serving more than 100 families and developing a deep understanding of the needs of children, parents, and working families. Teresha is the founder of What About the Children 2.0, a nonprofit focused on education, enrichment, and community-based resources for children and families. She holds a master’s degree in Human Ecology with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Through MECLP, Teresha hopes to expand her leadership and advocacy work and strengthen opportunities for children, families, and early childhood professionals.