Trying Together has selected Erin Schellenberger, site director of Latrobe Kinder-Schull, as its advocate of the month for March.
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Schellenberger is a long-time early childhood education champion who has 15 years of teaching experience and two years as a site director. She has been actively involved with Trying Together’s SWPA ECE Leadership Council, demonstrating her commitment to growing as a leader and early childhood education advocate.
“She continues to seek opportunities to make meaningful connections and learn new ways to strengthen her advocacy for the field,” according to a statement from Trying Together’s Policy Team regarding Schellenberger’s selection as advocate of the month. “We deeply appreciate our partnership with Erin and how she consistently shows up as a voice for children, families, and educators. We consider her one of our strongest ECE champions and look forward to her continued engagement in leadership opportunities.”
Schellenberger, who is involved in the SWPA ECE Leadership Council, said that ECE advocacy has long been important to her.
“Advocacy in early childhood education means being a voice for young children who cannot always speak for themselves,” she said. “It is about standing up for their needs, supporting families, and ensuring that every child feels safe, valued, and understood.”
She added that advocacy also involves collaborating with colleagues, community partners, and policymakers to create learning environments and policies that honor each child’s background and provide them with the strongest possible start in life.
Schellenberger started her work with the Leadership Team following a recommendation from her organization’s executive director, Eva Wood. Through the role, she has traveled to Harrisburg to meet with legislators and advocates for issues affecting early childhood education.
“I am encouraged that our state has begun to recognize the child care crisis and has included child care employees in the state budget,” she said. “While this is an important first step, there is still significant work to be done to recruit and retain qualified early childhood professionals. Sustainable investment and continued policy reform are essential to strengthening the field.”
Schellenberger said she remains committed to using her voice to influence state policy, promoting access to high-quality learning and protecting the rights of children, families, and educators.
“Advocacy is not a one-time effort, but an ongoing responsibility, and I will continue to encourage those around me to speak up and take action in support of our profession and the children we serve,” she said.
“With more than 40 years’ experience, Betty has been the catalyst for sustained, high-quality early care and education and expansion at Riverview Children’s Center,” Ciminillo said of Lisowski. “Betty has positively impacted thousands of children, families, and colleagues through the high-quality care and education Riverview provides while also being a working mother of three.”
Black infant mortality rates that are nearly two times higher than the national average for all races or ethnicities and the fact that 11 million U.S. children live in poverty and 400,000 in foster care.
