This episode concludes the first season of the podcast! It’s also the second half of a two-part interview with Miriam Calderon of the U.S. Department of Education, where she serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Learning. In this part of the interview, Dr. Lynette Fraga talks with Miriam discuss the realities of navigating institutions that are complex and imperfect, and how adults can be advocates for the youngest members of our society. Miriam shares her hopeful vision for transformed policies, systems and child care classrooms.   

Don’t miss the second season of the podcast arriving to your feeds in late January. 

About Miriam Calderon 

Miriam Calderon is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Learning at the U.S. Department of Education. Miriam was appointed by Gov. Kate Brown in 2017 to serve as the early learning system director for the state of Oregon. She previously served in the Obama-Biden Administration advising on early learning policy at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Domestic Policy Council.  

Miriam has a diverse set of experiences in the early childhood field in program, policy, and advocacy. She worked as the senior director for early childhood at the Bainum Family Foundation, as director of early childhood education at the District of Columbia Public Schools, and as associate director for education policy at UnidosUS (formerly the National Council of La Raza).  

Miriam began her career in early childhood working in Head Start. She is a native of Washington D.C. and holds degrees from the University of Delaware and Portland State University. 

Show Notes 

• U.S Department of Education, Early Learning website 
• Child Care Aware of America (el sitio de web en espanol) 

Subscribe to this special series of intimate interviews to hear how other leaders are creating space for all types of voices to be heard. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you stream. This podcast is a production of Child Care Aware® of America.  

Learn more at www.childcareaware.org/thetable.
Music for A Seat at the Table is Retro Groovy by EightBallAudio.