Sandy Maldonado
Director of Early Learning
sandy@childcareawarewa.org
Sandy has worked with children and families for 20 years. Teaching in infant programs, preschool, school age care, and providing coaching and consultation for QRIS systems. She’s worked in private child care, state-funded and federally-funded programs. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services Management and Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College. Most recently she has joined the CCA of WA’s Program Management team for Early Achievers, Washington’s quality rating and improvement system.
Sandy is passionate about securing equitable high-quality early learning opportunities for families, and ensuring all educators have opportunities for culturally responsive and relevant professional development.
Leah Irwin
Program Manager of Quality Initiatives
leah@childcareawarewa.org
Leah joined the CCA of WA team in January 2019. She has 20 years of early learning and child development professional experience. She has experience in child care, preschool teaching, Child Protective Services, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), ECE university teaching, and Head Start/Early Head Start management. She is in the process of becoming a Program for Infant and Toddler Care (PITC) certified trainer and is experienced in delivering trainings to adult learners.
Leah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Developmental Psychology from Eastern Washington University, and a Master of Science degree in Family and Child Studies from Miami University of Ohio. She is passionate about high quality child care and early learning for all of our State’s children, with a particular passion for our most vulnerable infants and toddlers. Leah spends her spare time with her husband, two daughters, many family pets, and doing crafting, gardening, and most recently, horse activities.
Michael Snow
Program Manager of Early Learning
msnow@childcareawarewa.org
Michael joined CCA of WA in November 2022, after years serving as a coach at CCA of the Olympic Peninsula/Child Care Action Council. Prior to his Coach role, he was an Early Childhood Special Education Program Specialist at OSPI and held several roles at Lewis County Head Start in Centralia. Michael is Contingent Faculty in Education and Early Education at Saint Martin’s University where he also mentors future teachers. He is a WSU graduate and earned his MEd at Saint Martin’s.
Patricia Coss-Maxwell
Project Manager for Professional Development
patricia@childcareawarewa.org
Patty joined the CCA of WA team in 2022. She coordinates training and supports for Coach and RBPD Leads, leads planning for the Elevate Early Learning Conference, and oversees LMS implementation and support. Patty was formerly an Early Achievers Coach at CCA of King & Pierce Counties, a child care provider, a CCA of WA Scholar, and is a Mentor and Adjunct Instructor at North Seattle College (NSC).
Patty has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with a Certificate in Adult Education for College Institution from Eastern WA University and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education from North Seattle College. Patty is passionate about early childhood education, math, language, animals, and football (go Steelers!). In her free time, she likes to play with her puppy, Frida.
April Ferguson
Program Engagement Specialist
april@childcareawarewa.org
April has worked in Early Childhood Education for 6 years. She has worked as a center director, preschool teacher, and kindergarten teacher. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and is currently working towards a bachelor’s in Business Management. She is extremely passionate about ensuring that young children have strong foundations for life through high quality learning opportunities. In her off time, she homeschools her kids and enjoys family time.
Maddie Schultz
Program Support Assistant
maddie@childcareawarewa.org
Maddie is the newest member of the Early Learning Program Team as the Program Support Assistant. She assists the team with various activities that support Early Learning. Maddie has worked in childcare since 2014 and has worked as an infant/toddler teacher, Pre-Kindergarten teacher, and center Assistant Director. She holds a General Transfer AA and hopes to move on to pursue her BA and in Human Services and ECE. Maddie also holds a state certificate in Early Childhood Education along with a specialization in Family Childcare. Maddie is most passionate about helping others and creating safe, nurturing environments for children and families. Maddie enjoys spending time with her two daughters, baking, party planning, gardening, and just having quality time with family.