The institute will be housed in the College of Education's department of curriculum and instruction. The department has been a leader in early childhood education initiatives since the late 1970s when faculty members Gloria Correro, James Turner and others assumed key roles in helping Mississippi incorporate kindergarten curricula into the public schools. Also at the Tuesday announcement program, education Dean William H. Graves said Cathy Grace of Tupelo will serve as the institute's coordinator. Her appointment is pending approval of the state Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning.
Grace is an author and longtime advocate for initiatives serving children and families.
Day Foundation executive director Gary Revetto joined Portera at the announcement program. Mississippi communities build partnerships with families and schools and supporting families as the child's first and most important teacher. Institute services will be offered to all state school systems, Graves said. Grace, a West Memphis, Ark., native, holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas, a master's from Arkansas State University and a doctorate from the University of Mississippi, all in elementary education, with an emphasis in early childhood education. Miss. During the 1980s, she served three years each as early childhood coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Education and as assistant professor of elementary education at the University of Southern Mississippi.