April 30, 2008
To the Williams Community,
I am excited to share with you the good news that Sarah Cady Becker has been named Director of the Williams College Children’s Center. The unanimous first choice of the search committee, Sarah will arrive on campus on June 2nd in order to provide time to hire staff and prepare for the management transition that will take place at the end of June.
We’re very fortunate that our national search generated an excellent pool of candidates and exceptionally strong finalists for this critically important role. Sarah impressed us with her thoughtful, transparent, and insightful approach to early childhood education, and her vision for our Center. Among the many qualities that drew us to her, Sarah demonstrates a strong commitment to child-centered curriculum, curiosity, group creative processes, and children’s leadership and engagement. In addition, Sarah is enthusiastic about working with Williams faculty and students to develop collaborative research and scholarship projects at the Center. To that end, she's expressed an interest in fostering the professional development of Williams students who wish to pursue fields that intersect with early childhood development.
Sarah received her BA in Family and Educational Studies from Wesleyan University and her MA in Education from Goddard College. She’s spent the past eleven years as lead teacher at the Bennington College Early Childhood Center. She’s also been Co-Director of the Bennington Center and, along with a variety of former teaching experiences, has held the position of acting co-principal of a progressive, independent school. Her professional experience includes leading staff, developing policy and curriculum, and mentoring student teachers and staff.
I want to thank the many faculty, staff and parents who participated in this important search. Special thanks go to our search committee, chaired by Marlene Sandstrom: Colleen Bethoney, Adriana Cozzolino, Susan Engel, Tom Smith, and Chris Winters, and to Linda Mills, our search consultant. Our deep appreciation goes to Child Care of the Berkshires for the past 22 years of caring for our children at the Center. Please join me in welcoming Sarah Cady Becker to our community when she arrives on June 2nd.
Regards,
Stephen Klass
Vice President for Operations
Related link:
Photos of the Children’s Center
top