SECA President-Elect Nominations
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
Election runs September 1 through September 30!
Dr. Jeffrey Leffler
Mississippi
Having dedicated my career to the field of early childhood education, I am eager to contribute my expertise, vision, and passion to the continued growth and success of SECA. I believe that SECA plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of early childhood education in the Southern region, I am excited about the prospect of leading the association in fulfilling its mission.
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Throughout my career I have been deeply committed to advancing equitable practices in early childhood education. My work, both in academia and through initiatives like the MSU Teacher Residency program, reflects my dedication to fostering inclusive environments and addressing the critical challenges within our field.
Dr. Jeffrey Leffler
Mississippi
Having dedicated my career to the field of early childhood education, I am eager to contribute my expertise, vision, and passion to the continued growth and success of SECA. I believe that SECA plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of early childhood education in the Southern region, I am excited about the prospect of leading the association in fulfilling its mission.
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Throughout my career I have been deeply committed to advancing equitable practices in early childhood education. My work, both in academia and through initiatives like the MSU Teacher Residency program, reflects my dedication to fostering inclusive environments and addressing the critical challenges within our field.
Marla Pankratz
Oklahoma
My desire to serve as President of SECA is rooted in both gratitude and responsibility.
Early in my career in Western Oklahoma, I was part of WECA, where I first experienced what it meant to gather with early childhood professionals who understood the unique context of serving children and families in the Oklahoma — rural communities, tight-knit towns, strong faith traditions, limited resources, and enormous heart. That experience shaped my heart for children, beliefs in what really mattered in my classroom, and my advocacy and leadership in professional settings.
SECA’s mission — improving the quality of care and education for young children and their families through advocacy and professional development — aligns directly with my life’s work. I have dedicated my career to strengthening the Birth–8 workforce through teaching in early childhood classrooms, developing and teaching in a public school -Head Start PreK program, serving as an early childhood center principal, teaching future teachers in teacher preparation, developing on the job apprenticeship pathways, leading accreditation, and engaging in state-level collaboration. I believe quality improves when we invest in those people who invest in our children.
Connie Stout O'Dell
West Virginia
The Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA) represents so much to many people across the southern states as well as in many other states and regions of our country. Those who are passionate about early care and education and young children and families have a deep connection to SECA. I’m blessed to be one of those people.
To me, SECA represents a long-standing passion for quality care, education, advocacy, and professional development for the children and families of the south. I have always loved telling people about SECA and saying that my beautiful state of West Virginia is the northern most of the southern states that are affiliates of SECA.
It is an honor to have been introduced to SECA over 25 years ago and to have grown in my professionalism and networking with SECA during these years. When I talk about SECA and share stories, I light up and simply smile. SECA has become such a part of my professional journey and serving as the next SECA president would be one of my greatest blessings and accomplishments.