Sally D'Italia

Director, Arnold & Porter Children's Center

President, SarEmi Education Consultants

Co-Chair, DC Directors Exchange

Who Are You?

My name is Sally D’Italia, and for over 30 years I have been an enthusiastic leader and advocate in the field of early learning and administration. I am currently the Director of Arnold & Porter Children’s Center and president of SarEmi Education Consultants, as well as the co-chair of the DC Directors Exchange. I hold a BS in Psychology, a MA in Early Childhood Administration and a Credential in Supporting Early Social and Emotional Development from the University of Minnesota, Center for Early Education and Development. The focus of the credential is supporting infant mental health through trauma informed practice and reflective supervision.

 

What is the nature of your job?

In addition to operating a NAEYC accredited early learning program for 28 years, my work involves supporting families and staff. As a visionary leader and advocate for quality and access to quality early learning, I have been active in the Washington, DC early learning community, serving many roles on committees such as the School Readiness Stakeholders Panel, the DC Commission on Early Childhood Teacher Compensation, the Program Quality subcommittee of the State Early Childhood Development Coordinating Council, and the Low Income Investment Fund Advisory Committee.

 

What interests/concerns drew you to early childhood work?

My first job after undergraduate school was as a toddler teacher. My intent, at the time, was to attend graduate school to earn my Elementary Education teacher certification. I did attend graduate school up to the point of student teaching, when I realized my heart belonged to early learning.

 

The scope of growth and development during a child’s first five years of life is amazing! To me, I was seeing what I’d read about in my undergraduate studies come to life. And recognizing the importance of supporting this growth and development because it is the foundation of all later development and learning, I knew that I needed to be a part of this.

 

And this was also around the same time that my advocacy drive was born. At this same teaching job, I was earning $6 an hour with no benefits. Through my advocacy efforts at this school, by the time I left after eight years, all teachers were earning good salaries and we had benefits.

 

What is your wish for the future of children?

My wish for all children is that they have access to high-quality early learning programs regardless of where they live and their socio-economic status. And as an advocate, I will continue to work towards this with all of my energy, vision, and drive.

 

What do you do when you’re not working?

One of my passions is writing. I’ve written two children’s books, “If this Buggy Could Talk” and "What Would You Do With a Soccer Ball on Your Shoe?” I’m also an avid traveler and foodie.