My name is Rita Woodcock and I am the Program Chair for the Early Childhood/Elementary Education Program at Dutchess Community College. I hold a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University, St. Paul and I am currently pursuing an additional Master’s degree in Humanistic/Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz.

I am passionate about providing excellent education for all children and strive to help change the availability of high quality child care in Dutchess County. In addition to teaching college courses at Dutchess Community College, I also present workshops/trainings on a variety of topics in early education. I am a proponent of developmentally appropriate practice and play-based learning. My special interests in the field are diversity, literacy, and closing the opportunity gap.

I am proud to be a board member of the Child Care Council and the Day One Learning Initiative. I understand the role of these organizations in improving the availability and quality of early education/care in our county. I support the collaboration of colleges, businesses, and community in creating an early education environment in Dutchess County that can serve as a model nationwide.