University Calendar

A conversation with Ana I. Berdecia, M.Ed.

Senior Fellow/Director, Center for the Positive Development of Urban Children, John S. Watson Institute of Public Policy, Thomas Edison State University

Interviewed by Dr. Arlene Martin

Ana I. Berdecia, M.Ed. & Certified Coach is the Senior Fellow/Director of the Center for the Positive Development of Urban Children (CPDUC) at the John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy of Thomas Edison State University and the founder/program director for the New Jersey Cultural Competence and English Language Learners Learning Institute and Mentoring Program. Ana has varied experiences in working with diverse families as an administrator, university professor, program developer, trainer, and consultant. She created and developed best practices in five critical areas: support for women in crisis; early childhood education; higher education; coaching; and leadership. Ana began her career as the first bilingual statewide Domestic Violence Hotline Coordinator at Womanspace, Inc., and then provided crisis counseling at the YWCA of Trenton's Rape Crisis Program.

Prior to Thomas Edison, she directed the Puerto Rican Community Day Care Center, Inc., a multicultural child development center in Trenton. She taught college courses in education and mentored teachers to affirm students' culture and language. Ana has presented at local, state, and national conferences, serves on numerous boards, and has authored publications on English language learners, mentoring, and the impact of early learning. Ana continues to serve on various task forces and committees, working for the well-being of children and families in New Jersey. These include: the New Jersey Council for Young Children, the New Jersey Department of Education Career Readiness Cluster Advisory Committee, the New Jersey Department of Education Bilingual Education Advisory Committee, the New Jersey Early Care and Education Alliance, the New Jersey Association for Infant Mental Health, the Princeton Area Community Foundation as a Trustee, and is a member of the Committee on Impact.

Ana earned a Master in Education with a concentration in early childhood, and a Bachelor of Art in Sociology with a minor in Women Studies, both from The College of New Jersey. She holds a New Jersey Standard Teaching Certificate, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Infant Mental Health from YCS and Seton Hall University, and Non-profit Management Certificate from Mercer County Community College. Ana is also a certified coach, trainer, and speaker through the John C. Maxwell International Certification Program, and has her own coaching and training practice, Potential Pathways, LLC. For her outstanding work with children and families, Ana received the Children's Future Shining Light Award, the Aletha Wright Excellence in Early Care and Education Award, the YWCA Tribute to Women Award, and the Trenton Music Makers' Partnership Award. Ana is from a rich Puerto Rican, Caribbean culture. She resides in Ewing, New Jersey with her husband of 33 years and is the proud mother of two adult sons, one daughter-in-law, and three adorable grandchildren: Daniel Luis, Jericho Sebastian, and Hope Grace. She is very active in her church's teaching and worship ministries serving as the co-administrator of her church's Bible institute. Ana's "happy place" is the beach and family time.

Infants, children, and families are better for the work and passion of Ana I. Berdecia.

Light refreshments will be served.

For further information, call 973-655-6685 or email caecmh@montclair.edu