Dr. Cynthia J. Popovich
3404 Eisenhower Drive
McKeesport, Pennsylvania 15131
(412) 678-1771 (home)
EDUCATION
Ed.D. University of Pittsburgh
School of Education
Department ofAdministrative and Policy Studies
Program in School Leadership
Graduated - April, 2016
M.S. University of Pittsburgh
School of Health Related Professions
Program in Child Development/Child Care
Graduated – April, 1984
B.S. The Pennsylvania State University
School of Education
Speech Pathology and Audiology1976
Instructional Certificate K-12
Graduated – April, 1976
WORK EXPERIENCE
University of Pittsburgh – School of Education
Assistant Professor, Applied Developmental Psychology
Baccalaureate Program Coordinator
Practicum Site Coordinator
Carlow University
Faculty, Department of Education – September 1990 to 1996
Community College of Allegheny County - South Campus
Faculty, Child Development - 1984-1997
Louise Child Care (1993- 2001)
DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Directors Institute (Mentoring and Training for Child Care Directors)
Project Director. Wrote proposal for initial and subsequent funding, implemented project, designed training series, hired and supervised mentors and trainers, wrote reports, responsible for budget and project evaluation.
Mental Health Project (Consultation and Training for Child Care Centers)
Project Director. Wrote proposal for initial and subsequent funding, implemented project, designed delivery of service model and training series, hired and supervised consultants, wrote reports, responsible for budget and project evaluation.
PA Child Care/ Early Childhood Development Training System (PA State Contract to Provide 120 three hour training sessions for child care staff in Allegheny County annually)
Project Director. Supervised staff in the production of three annual training calendars, special events, wrote reports, wrote proposal for annual funding, responsible for budget.
Adult Development Conference
Conference Coordinator. Initiated and planned 4 National Conferences for Early Childhood Professionals focusing on Adult Development, Mentoring, Training, and Supervision. Wrote proposals for funding, responsible for budget and evaluation.
Louise Child Care Internal Professional Development
Responsible for internal training, staff orientation and mentoring project, staff evaluation, child evaluation, and student interns.
RESEARCH PROJECTS/PUBLICATIONS
Childcare Leadership: A Crucial Connection to Quality Care and Education
Doctoral Dissertation, Defended February 5, 2016
A Guide to Your Child’s Literacy: Helping Your Child Grow and Develop from Birth to Childhood
Project Consultant
Published by the Mon Valley Education Consortium, 2002
Infant and Toddler Adult Learning Project
Project Director. This research project explored a Relationship Based Approach to Leadership and Training for Infant and Toddler Caregivers.
Responsible for project outcomes, supervising and training project staff, writing training manuals, linking to similar research projects in the state and nation, disseminating information through publications.
Infant and Toddler Research Project:: A Retroactive Case Study
Completed 1998, Funded by the Alcoa Foundation
Author of final publication.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Consultant, Primary Level Assessment Project - October, 1997 to September 1999
Co-author of Assessment Manual
Governor’s Institute for Early Childhood Education, Gannon University, August 1999
Steering Committee and Institute Facilitator
Allegheny County Head Start
Mental Health Consultant - September, 1992 to 1999
CURRENT PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
Reggio Emilia Pittsburgh Initiative
The David Lawrence Convention Center
July 16, 2015
Steering Committee
Presenter: Topic, Higher Education and Reggio Curriculum
Early Childhood Education Summit
The Pennsylvania State University
December 2nd – 4th, 2015
Presenter: Topic, Childcare Center Director Leadership: Perspectives from the Field
Community College of Allegheny County
Early Childhood and Early Education Board Member
Pennsylvania Key Stone Stars Quality Assurance Rating System
Higher Education Steering Committee
Collegiate YMCA
University of Pittsburgh
Board Member
YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh
Board Member, Camp T. F. Soles
Upcoming:
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Governor’s Institute June 16, 17, 2016
Co-Presenter with Dr. Shannon Wanless, Topic, Effectiveness of Learning Environments
Upcoming:
The Pennsylvania State University and University of Pittsburgh
Conference: Re-Inventing tomorrow’s schools: Innovations in Pennsylvania through community-University Partnerships, June 20 - 21, 2016
Presenter: Leadership Research
UNIVERSITY SERVICE
Child Development Association
Student Advisor
Faculty and Staff Development Committee
Committee Member
Faculty Search Committee
Committee Member