50th Anniversary Community Conversation

Описание: Feb. 06, 2026 - To kick off our 50th celebration, Wonders hosted a community discussion to reflect on the past 50 years of child care locally and nationally. We discussed trends, policy, and systems change from various perspectives.

Panelists:
Jennifer Arnáiz is the Senior Administrator for Early Childhood Services in the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Maryland. With 19 years of experience, she focuses on improving child care access and quality, supporting families, strengthening the invaluable network of child care providers, and serving as a catalyst for positive change in the community.

Joanne Hurt is the Executive Director of Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day. Having dedicated over 30 years to the organization, she has worked to ensure that Wonders creates and sustains learning environments for children that are engaging, nurturing, and led by excellent teachers who are supported in their growth and professional development.

Rebecca Gale is an award-winning journalist with years of experience covering the nexus of politics and people in Washington, D.C. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Slate, Marie Claire, and Health Affairs, among other outlets.

Wonders' Mission:
To create and advance high quality, diverse educational communities that teach children the foundations of life-long learning and social responsibility.