The Early Childhood Policy and Systems Team uses qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches to analyze, assess, and evaluate early childhood policies, practices, and systems.
We understand the complexities and dynamic nature of these systems, acknowledging that individual systems are interconnected within a larger ecosystem, and that applied research is a necessary component. Evaluation and analysis provide policymakers with critical feedback, enabling them to make informed decisions that benefit educators, children, and families.
Meet the Team
Tonya Satchell
Program Director, Assistant Research Scientist
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Tonya Satchell, Assistant Research Scientist and Program Director for Early Childhood Research and Evaluation, leads several statewide early childhood system-based projects aimed at improving access to quality child care for all children. She has dedicated over two decades to early childhood education, teaching young children, and directing child care centers before joining the JHU School of Education in 2012.
Her research interests include increasing access to high-quality early childhood systems and interventions. Passionate about early literacy, inclusive practices, and the value of learning through play and exploration, she is committed to ensuring access to quality early learning for all children.
Melanie Balakirsky
Maryland Accreditation Manager
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Melanie Balakirsky manages the Maryland Accreditation Program. She earned her master’s degree in Early Childhood Public Policy and Advocacy. This subject matter expertise enables her to address the needs of programs in Maryland that have elected to participate in the accreditation process. She is dedicated to helping increase the quality and access of early education programs for young children.
Michelle Bruns
Lead Program Quality Specialist
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Michelle Bruns, Lead Program Quality Specialist, provides guidance to Program Coordinators about best practices in Maryland EXCELS, the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. She also provides direct support to Public Prekindergarten programs across the state with their program improvement efforts.
Deborah Geller
Lead QRIS Operations Specialist
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Debbie Geller documents, manages, and implements the standard operating procedures and content of the Maryland EXCELS Quality Rating and Improvement System. She works closely with state sponsors and QRIS staff to communicate and coordinate changes in processes that affect their work and the progress of participating child care programs. Her primary goal, like that of Maryland EXCELS itself, is continuous program improvement.
Renée Goldfarb
QRIS Technology Liason and Data Management Specialist
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Renée Goldfarb provides support to Maryland EXCELS, the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. She brings a deep commitment to ensuring all children in Maryland have access to high-quality education. Renee’s passion for educational equity drives her contributions to advancing the mission of Maryland EXCELS.
Rachel Hur
Associate Research Scientist
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Rachel Hur, Associate Research Scientist, leads the administrative and research data analyses focusing on Maryland’s Quality Rating and Improvement System, early childhood education programs, and the early childhood education workforce. She oversees research design, data collection, and analysis for multiple projects. She values her work in shaping policies and programs that enhance early childhood education and improve outcomes for young children. Her research interests include examining the well-being of early childhood educators, their work environments, and their ability to provide social and emotional support to children.
Liz Mull
Assistant Director for Early Childhood Quality Improvement
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Liz Mull, Assistant Director for Early Childhood Quality Improvement, is focused on building and maintaining relationships across teams. Over the past 12 years, she has implemented problem-solving strategies, effective communications, and partnership development for Maryland’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. Liz began her career as a special educator and served students from birth through higher education. Her passion for addressing the needs of all learners and inclusive practices is a driving force in her work.
Becky Niehaus
Accreditation and Compliance Specialist
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Becky Niehaus, Accreditation and Compliance Specialist, provides operational and programmatic support for the Maryland Accreditation program. She enjoys assisting programs as they work to improve the quality of their educational programs for young children.
Allison Rudoy
Lead Program Quality Specialist
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Allison Rudoy, Lead Program Quality Specialist, provides guidance to Program Coordinators about best practices in Maryland EXCELS, the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. She also provides direct support to Head Start programs with their program improvement efforts.
Program Quality Specialists
Jennifer Blandford
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Jennifer Blandford, Program Quality Specialist, provides guidance to child care programs on best-practice standards for Maryland EXCELS, the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. Through reviewing documentation and providing quality feedback, she enjoys engaging with child care professionals on their journey to expand and improve the quality of their child care practices.
Amy Brannock
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Amy Brannock, Program Quality Specialist, supports child care providers’ professional growth through the review, pre-assessment, and verification of quality level attainment documentation. She combines her years in the educational system with her desire to ensure that all children receive high-quality early childhood education.
Karina Cortés Hudack
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Karina Cortés Hudack, Program Quality Specialist, supports Maryland’s early learning community by facilitating participation in the Maryland EXCELS Quality Rating and Improvement System, an award-winning program that recognizes providers for their commitment to high-quality child care. She is passionate about fostering collaboration and providing equitable opportunities for Maryland’s diverse early childhood workforce.
Wendy Dantzler
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Wendy Dantzler, Program Quality Specialist, provides technical support to child care and early education programs participating in Maryland EXCELS. She brings her experience as an early childhood director, teacher, professional development facilitator, and parent involvement educator to help programs improve their quality of care.
Rachel Dorf
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Rachel Dorf, Program Quality Specialist, provides support to programs participating in Maryland EXCELS, the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. She is passionate about collaborating with early childhood education providers to enhance the quality of their programs and improve the lives of the young children and families in their care.
Sally Furnary-Gill
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Sally Furnary-Gill, Program Quality Specialist, has over 12 years of experience helping programs navigate the Maryland EXCELS Quality Rating and Improvement System. Before her current role at CTE, she spent over 15 years in corporate human resources at Black & Decker, Fila, and PepsiCo. Her extensive background enables her to provide exceptional support and guidance to the Maryland EXCELS programs she assists.
Michelle Gray
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Michelle Gray, Program Quality Specialist, focuses on Maryland’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. Before starting at CTE in 2012, she operated a home child care and worked with Howard County Public Schools assisting children with special needs. Her passion includes her commitment to enhancing quality care and education in early childhood and supporting programs that include young children and their families from diverse backgrounds.
Nancy Gumbel
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Nancy Gumbel, Program Quality Specialist, has provided exemplary customer service for Maryland’s child care providers for over a decade. As one of the original Maryland EXCELS Program Coordinators, Nancy takes pride in the success of her providers as she encourages them to reach their goals.
Amy Haflett
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Amy Haflett, Program Quality Specialist, leverages her extensive background in early childhood education to contribute to CTE’s mission. She combines her experience in early childhood education with a commitment to continuous quality improvement. With a passion for delivering quality training opportunities, Amy utilizes her background as a college instructor to enhance online training materials for early childhood professionals.
Carla Hillery
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Carla Hillery, Program Quality Specialist, has been in the field of early childhood education for over 30 years. She is excited to work with CTE and Maryland EXCELS and has dedicated her professional life to ensuring that all children have quality educational experiences.
Theresa Lutz
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Theresa Lutz, Program Quality Specialist, brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood to Maryland EXCELS, the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System for child care and early education programs. She has held positions as a kindergarten teacher in the Maryland school system as well as a prekindergarten teacher in multiple private child care programs, lecturer at Towson University’s Early Childhood Education/Special Education program, adjunct faculty at Harford Community College, and a mentor/coach of future and current early childhood educators. She enjoys sharing her passion and experience with other early childhood educators.
Trish Miller
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Trish Miller, Program Quality Specialist, supports early childhood providers through Maryland’s Quality Rating and Improvement System, embodying CTE’s vision of transforming lives through impactful knowledge. Her passion lies in enhancing early childhood care and education, particularly for diverse and marginalized communities. She is committed to empowering providers to recognize their potential and equipping them with the tools to improve their programs and meet the diverse needs of all children in their care.
Julie Mitchell
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Julie Mitchell, Program Quality Specialist, is a consummate professional, bringing value to the Maryland EXCELS initiative for over 12 years. She is passionate about the child care providers that she has the honor of supporting. Previously, Julie enjoyed a high-level career with the Navy and Army, living overseas and traveling extensively to support the military community.
Khalilah Samuel
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Khalilah Samuel, Program Quality Specialist, supports licensed child care and early childhood providers in Maryland EXCELS, the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. She brings her experience as an early childhood educator, administrator, consultant, and state licensing specialist to her coaching work. She is passionate about ensuring all children have access to high-quality early childhood education and educates providers about best practices designed to foster diversity and eliminate bias.
Beth Snyder
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Beth Snyder, Program Quality Specialist, is an advocate for CTE’s initiative to ensure quality outcomes for children through her work with early childhood programs and child care providers via Maryland EXCELS. Her commitment to providing high-quality education for all children has been a central theme throughout her career. She understands that the early years lay the foundation for children’s future successes. Her diverse experiences, along with her passion for the rights of children and their families, drive her dedication to supporting early childhood providers and programs in their ongoing self-evaluation processes for quality improvement.
Elle Starnes
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Elle Starnes, Program Quality Specialist, supports early childhood education programs to make high-quality education accessible to all of Maryland’s children and their families. With a decade of experience in operations management, change implementation, and communications, she is excited to assist programs in identifying, accessing, and utilizing resources for continuous quality improvement.
Laura Suguiyama
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Laura Suguiyama, Program Quality Specialist, supports programs participating in Maryland EXCELS, helping participants to improve their Quality Ratings as they advance through the system, gain understanding of best practices to implement in their programs, and provide quality learning experiences for the young children throughout our state.
Sarah Thistle
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Sarah Thistle, Program Quality Specialist, assists early childhood programs with quality improvement through Maryland EXCELS. She is passionate about connecting with child care providers and helping them achieve their goals. Sarah is committed to the part she plays in enhancing the early childhood education experience for providers, families, and their young children.
Liana Vega
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Liana Vega, Program Quality Specialist, is an experienced early childhood education professional specializing in program quality improvement through Maryland EXCELS. She supports child care providers by helping them navigate quality rating systems, implement continuous quality improvements, and meet state and federal standards. Passionate about equitable access to early education, Liana is dedicated to empowering early childhood educators and strengthening learning environments for young children and their families.