{"id":6795,"date":"2025-05-20T12:40:33","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T20:40:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/blog\/announcing-the-2025-thread-award-recipients-celebrating-10-years-of-excellence-in-early-childhood-education"},"modified":"2025-05-20T12:40:33","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T20:40:33","slug":"announcing-the-2025-thread-award-recipients-celebrating-10-years-of-excellence-in-early-childhood-education","status":"publish","type":"seed-blog","link":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/blog\/announcing-the-2025-thread-award-recipients-celebrating-10-years-of-excellence-in-early-childhood-education","title":{"rendered":"Announcing the 2025 thread Award Recipients: Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence in Early Childhood Education!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In honor of Provider Appreciation Day and 10 years of celebrating excellence, <strong>thread<\/strong> is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 <strong>thread<\/strong> Awards, revealed during a virtual ceremony on Friday, May 9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quality Improvement Program of the Year Award<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This award recognizes a licensed family home child care program and a licensed child care center enrolled in Learn &amp; Grow, Alaska\u2019s Quality Recognition and Improvement System, for their commitment to continuous quality improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Anchorage Cooperative Preschool (ACP)<\/strong> is the 2025 Quality Improvement Program of the Year, Child Care Center recipient. Founded by a group of engaged parents in 1970, ACP has remained committed to a play-based, social emotional learning model that nurtures children and engages families. Under the leadership of Director Jessica McCartan, the program has grown significantly while staying true to its community-centered values.<br>Learn more about ACP here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/thread\/educators-and-programs\/recognition-awards\/thread-awards\/qi-program-award\/center-program-of-the-year\/\">Center Recipient of the Quality Improvement Program of the Year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chickadee House Montessori<\/strong> is the 2025 Quality Improvement Program of the Year, Family Child Care Home recipient. Owner Naomi Ozuru transitioned from a career in graphic design to early education, embracing the Montessori philosophy. Since opening in 2016, Chickadee House has provided intentional, high-quality care rooted in creativity and mindfulness.<br>Learn more about Chickadee House Montessori here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/thread\/educators-and-programs\/recognition-awards\/thread-awards\/qi-program-award\/family-program-of-the-year\/\">Family Home Recipient of the Quality Improvement Program of the Year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cindy Harrington Heart &amp; Mind Award<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This award honors an individual in early childhood education whose character, dedication, and passion shine through their work and leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Darby McFetridge<\/strong>, Director of North Star Learning Center, is the 2025 recipient. From her early inspiration drawn from her grandmother to her leadership today, Darby exemplifies strength, compassion, and advocacy. Her efforts have supported children\u2019s learning, staff development, and equitable access to quality education for families. Darby\u2019s collaborative and reflective leadership is deeply valued by her team and the wider community. Learn more about Darby here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/thread\/educators-and-programs\/recognition-awards\/thread-awards\/cindy-harrington-award\/current-cindy-harrington-heart-and-mind-award-recipient\/\">Current Recipient<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Legacy Award<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the <strong>thread<\/strong> Awards, <strong>thread<\/strong> introduced the Legacy Award to recognize individuals whose long-standing contributions have strengthened early childhood education in Alaska.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Heather Bailey<\/strong> is the inaugural Legacy Award recipient. With a career spanning nearly four decades, Heather\u2019s influence as a teacher, mentor, and leader has shaped countless educators and programs across Alaska. Currently serving as the Operations Manager at Knik Tribe\u2019s Benteh Early Learning Academy, Heather continues to lead with vision and heart. Her advocacy for high-quality, culturally respectful early learning environments has left a lasting imprint on the field and inspired generations. Learn more about Heather here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/thread\/educators-and-programs\/recognition-awards\/thread-awards\/legacy-award\/current-legacy-award-recipient\/\">Legacy Current Recipient<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>thread<\/strong> congratulates each 2025 award recipient and celebrates their enduring commitment to young children, families, and early educators across Alaska.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the Awards Ceremony<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"2025 thread Awards Ceremony\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1NOi0V4agZ8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>thread <\/strong>would like to thank this event\u2019s generous sponsor, Credit Union 1, for their support of this event. Thank you for supporting quality child care in Alaska! We also extend our sincere appreciation to all individuals who took the time to submit nominations. Your efforts are a testament to the invaluable work being done by nominees across Alaska.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CU1_full_P5747C.png\" alt=\"Credit Union 1\" class=\"wp-image-42063\" style=\"width:137px;height:auto\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Join us in congratulating this year\u2019s nominees:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SOUTHCENTRAL<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Anchorage<\/strong><br>Alicia Villarroel<br>Anastasiia Buriak<br>Chris Jurenka<br>Eneida Gonzales Ortiz<br>Estrella Brocales<br>Karina Padilla<br>Kathleen Liwanag<br>Manilyn Herman<br>Maria Rincon<br>Melanie Saeteurn<br>Mya Wooden<br>Sheryll Fernandez<br>Steven Katrobos<br>Tawni Neese<br>Theresa Robertson<br>Paola Gomez<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Talkeetna<\/strong><br>Alison Cassidy<br>Sarah Brock<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Trapper Creek<\/strong><br>Alice Speir<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Palmer<\/strong><br>Samantha Reigard<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Seldova<\/strong><br>Kathleen Gruber<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wasilla<\/strong><br>Bailey Hand<br>Belinda O\u2019Malley<br>Billie McCann<br>D\u2019nayla Alston<br>Heather Bailey<br>Kaysi Christensen<br>Jasmine Brookes<br>Lisa Benson-Nuyen<br>Lizzie Robertson<br>Maria Mata<br>Mark Lackey<br>Michelle Krueger<br>Taylor Marth<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SOUTHEAST<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Douglas<\/strong><br>Owen Greenwood<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NORTHERN\/INTERIOR<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fairbanks<\/strong><br>Amanda Lee<br>Allison Lennon<br>Arica Green<br>Jessica Armstrong<br>Iris Boehm<br>Mary Willey<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>North Pole<\/strong><br>Chelsea Clarke<br>Darby McFetridge<br>Denise Zuniga<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":6796,"template":"","blog_tags":[],"news_categories":[],"class_list":["post-6795","seed-blog","type-seed-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Event-Block.jpg",800,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Event-Block-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Event-Block-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Event-Block-768x768.jpg",768,768,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Event-Block.jpg",800,800,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Event-Block.jpg",800,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Event-Block.jpg",800,800,false],"ab-block-post-grid-landscape":["https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Event-Block-600x400.jpg",600,400,true],"ab-block-post-grid-square":["https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Event-Block-600x600.jpg",600,600,true],"gb-block-post-grid-landscape":["https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Event-Block-600x400.jpg",600,400,true],"gb-block-post-grid-square":["https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Event-Block-600x600.jpg",600,600,true],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Event-Block-125x125.jpg",125,125,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"msiadmin","author_link":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/author"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"In honor of Provider Appreciation Day and 10 years of celebrating excellence, thread is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 thread Awards, revealed during a virtual ceremony on Friday, May 9. Quality Improvement Program of the Year Award This award recognizes a licensed family home child care program and a licensed child care...&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/seed-blog\/6795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/seed-blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/seed-blog"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"blog_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog_tags?post=6795"},{"taxonomy":"news_categories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.threadalaska.org\/seed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news_categories?post=6795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}