Anna Jo Garcia Haynes

Last updated
Anna Jo Garcia Haynes
Born(1934-04-18)April 18, 1934
Denver, Colorado
Occupation(s)Educator and non-profit administrator

Anna Jo Garcia Haynes (born April 18, 1934) is a former educator in Colorado who specialized in early childhood education. She was instrumental in early childhood education development in Colorado, where she founded the Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers in Denver, founded the Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers, co-founded Colorado Children's Campaign, and has been recognized by many organizations in Colorado including the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame. [1]

Contents

Biography

Anna Jo Garcia Haynes was born on April 18, 1934 in Denver, Colorado. Her parents divorced, and their family had to use the support of public assistance. She is Latina and Native American. She was born in northeast Denver, where the Auraria campus now sits. Her family moved around northeast Denver often. She attended Mitchell Elementary, Cole Middle School, and graduated from Manual High School. [2]

She had to repeat kindergarten, which was an experience that led to her spending her life in early education. [3]

Haynes received a scholarship from Manual High School to attend Colorado Women's College. She wanted to give back to the community that had supported her, so she started working for the city in the parks and recreation department. [2]

Early childhood education

She started her career as a teacher, but she wanted to stay home with her children. She began to look after her neighbors' children, and got licensed to have a day care in her home. [2]

In 1966, she was co-chair of the education committee of the Congress of Racial Equality. [4] After experiencing discrimination because of her Latina and Native American heritage, her interracial marriage, and her multiracial children, she got involved with Congress of Racial Equality. [2]

Governor Roy Romer's wife reached out to Haynes for her expertise in early education. She invited Haynes to be part of the federal Head Start initiative. [3] In 1968, she was a founding board member of the Child Opportunity Head Start program. [5]

She began the Mile High Child Care, which is now known as Mile High Early Learning. [2]

In 1985, Haynes was a founding chairperson for the new Colorado Children's Campaign. [6]

Nonprofit administration

In addition to educating, Haynes has been involved in nonprofit administration and has developed or sat on boards for many organizations in Colorado.

She was the executive director, and is still founder and President Emeritus, of Mile High Early Learning Centers, which were incorporated in 1972. [7] [8] She was a founding mother and the third president Women’s Foundation of Colorado. [9]

Haynes was appointed Co-Chair of the Early Childhood Leadership Commission of Colorado by Governor John Hickenlooper. She was a Board Member for Mayor Michael Hancock's Education Compact. [10] She served as chair for Denver Public Schools and Denver's Early Childhood Council. [10]

Haynes was appointed to the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues by Congresswoman Patricia Schoeder, and served as an advisory member of the White House Conference on Children and Youth. [11]

In 2010, Haynes retired from Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers after 40 years. [1]

In 2022, Governor Jared Polis signed a bill establishing a new Department of Early Childhood with free pre-school for all 4-year-olds in Colorado. Co-sponsor Sen. Janet Buckner thanked Haynes for her advocacy and mentorship. [12]

Personal life

When she married her husband, they had to travel to New Mexico because he was Black, and miscegenation was illegal. [2] She has five children: Mary, Allegra "Happy", Khadija, Michael, and Lee Ann.

Recognition and awards

In 2000, Representative Diana DeGette introduced a Congressional Tribute to Haynes for her service to the 1st Congressional district of Colorado. [11]

Mile High United Way created an award named for her, the “Anna Jo Haynes Caring about Kids Award.” [1]

Metropolitan State University of Denver created the Anna Jo Garcia Haynes Legacy Project to promote advocacy of early childhood education. This Legacy Project includes projects like archiving her papers at Auraria campus, an endowment in her name, and an event series all related to early childhood education. [10]

Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montessori education</span> Teaching method encouraging autodidacticism

The Montessori method of education is a type of educational method that involves children's natural interests and activities rather than formal teaching methods. A Montessori classroom places an emphasis on hands-on learning and developing real-world skills. It emphasizes independence and it views children as naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a sufficiently supportive and well-prepared learning environment. It also discourages some conventional methods of achievement, such as grades and tests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Early childhood education</span> The teaching of children from birth to age eight

Early childhood education (ECE), also known as nursery education, is a branch of education theory that relates to the teaching of children from birth up to the age of eight. Traditionally, this is up to the equivalent of third grade. ECE is described as an important period in child development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JoAnna Garcia Swisher</span> American actress (born 1979)

JoAnna García Swisher is an American actress and businesswoman. She is known for her roles as Sam in Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1994–96), Vicki Appleby in Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000), and Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery on The WB/CW sitcom Reba (2001–07). She has also gained popularity with her acting roles in Privileged (2008–09), Better with You (2010–11), Animal Practice (2012), Once Upon a Time (2013–18), The Astronaut Wives Club (2015), Fist Fight (2017) and Sweet Magnolias (2020–present). García also stars as Lindsey Johnson in Hallmark Channel's As Luck Would Have It (2021). She hosted The Ultimatum: Queer Love on Netflix in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilma Webb</span> American politician

Wilma J. Webb is an American politician who was a member of the Colorado General Assembly from 1980 to 1993. A Democrat, she represented Denver County in the Colorado House of Representatives. She sponsored dozens of bills including school reform and equality initiatives. She is best known for sponsoring legislation that adopted Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday as a Colorado state holiday before it became the federal Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, and for her efforts to educate the young about King's legacy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denver Public Schools</span> Public school system in Colorado, U.S.

The School District No. 1 in the City and County of Denver and State of Colorado, more commonly known as Denver Public Schools (DPS), is the public school system in the City and County of Denver, Colorado, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jared Polis</span> Governor of Colorado since 2019

Jared Schutz Polis is an American politician and businessman serving since 2019 as the 43rd governor of Colorado. He served one term on the Colorado State Board of Education from 2001 to 2007, and five terms as the United States representative from Colorado's 2nd congressional district from 2009 to 2019. He was the only Democratic member of the libertarian conservative Liberty Caucus, and was the third-wealthiest member of Congress, with an estimated net worth of $122.6 million. He was elected governor of Colorado in 2018 and reelected in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DSST Public Schools</span> Charter school in Denver and Aurora, Colorado, United States

DSST Public Schools (DSST), formerly known as the Denver School of Science and Technology, is a public charterSTEM network comprising 16 schools on eight campuses in Denver and Aurora, Colorado, United States, in partnership with Denver Public Schools. DSST is ranked among the top 200 public high schools in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karen Middleton (politician)</span> American politician

Karen Middleton is an American politician who served as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from 2004 to 2008 and 2008 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado Women's College</span> Higher education institution in Colorado, U.S

Colorado Women's College was a division of the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado, focusing on evening, weekend, and online courses for women. It originally opened in 1909 as a private women's college and merged with the University of Denver in 1982.

Sister Alicia Valladolid Cuarón is an American educator, human rights activist, women's rights activist, leadership development specialist, and Franciscan nun. Since the 1970s, she has crafted numerous initiatives benefiting low-income Latinas and Spanish-speaking immigrant families in Colorado, including the first bilingual and bicultural Head Start program in the state, the national Adelante Mujer Hispanic Employment and Training Conference, and the Bienestar Family Services Center, today a ministry of the Archdiocese of Denver. In 1992, Cuarón joined the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity, where she continues her efforts to promote education and leadership development among Spanish-speaking families. She was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yadira Caraveo</span> American politician and pediatrician (born 1980)

Yadira D. Caraveo is an American politician and pediatrician serving as the U.S. representative for Colorado's 8th congressional district since 2023. A Democrat, she is Colorado's first Latina member of Congress.

Arlene Hirschfeld is an American community activist. Since the 1980s, she has served on the board of trustees of numerous Denver and Colorado state organizations, working in advisory, leadership, and fundraising capacities. The recipient of numerous awards, she was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2006.

Maria Guajardo Lucero is an American educator and advocate for children and the Latino community. Born to illiterate Mexican migrant workers in California, she earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and social relations at Harvard University and her master's degree and doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Denver. From 1988 to 2013, she worked in several state and national government-level positions to increase opportunities for low-income children and Latinos, and served as executive director of the Latin American Research and Service Agency. In 2013 she moved to Tokyo, Japan, to develop a new degree program in international liberal arts at Sōka University. She served as dean of the program from 2013 to 2016, when she was promoted to vice president of the university (2016-2020). She is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, and was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosemarie Allen</span> American academic

Rosemarie Allen is an American academic who specializes in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is an associate professor of early childhood development at the Metropolitan State University of Denver and president and chief executive officer for the Institute for Racial Equity and Excellence.

Carolína Acuña Díaz González (1894–1996) was a businesswoman and activist in the Denver Latinx community. In the 1950s, she opened "Casa Mayan," a prominent restaurant and community gathering space.

Margaret "Peggy" Kerns née Shoup was a government ethics educator, government official, and state legislator in Colorado. From 1989 to 1997, she served in the Colorado House of Representatives as a Democrat. She was then appointed a government official by U.S. president Bill Clinton. She later became a leader in Government Ethics education. She was the first woman to serve as Minority Leader in the Colorado House.

Geraldine "Gerie" Grimes was an educator and activist in Denver, Colorado, who advocated for better education for Black children and children with disabilities. She was CEO and president of Hope Center, and was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2018.

Dr. Martha Urioste, Ph.D was known as "La Madrina de Montessori," and she founded the first Montessori education in the Denver Public School system. She was a strong advocate for bilingual education, and taught Spanish to students in the classroom and on local television.

Arlene Vigil Kramer, EdD, is an advocate for bilingual and bilcultural education, and was the first Latina to complete a Doctor of Education degree.

Flora Rodríguez Russel was a social worker and attorney in Denver, Colorado. She championed reproductive justice and children's rights.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Anna Jo Garcia Haynes". Colorado Women's Hall of Fame.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Anna Jo Garcia Haynes Reflects on Education as a Civil Right for Kids". Community. Denver Mile High City.
  3. 1 2 Wright, Wesley (August 1, 2016). "Longtime advocate Anna Jo Haynes: Parents need to become advocates for their children". Chalkbeat CO.
  4. ↑ Pinney, Greg (May 18, 1966). "Closed meeting policy assailed as unlawful". Denver Post.
  5. ↑ "Head start group chairman named". Denver Post. June 5, 1968.
  6. ↑ Taddess, Beza (13 February 2015). "30 Years BOLD Profile: Anna Jo Haynes". Colorado Children's Campaign.
  7. ↑ "Regents announce slate of honorees for 2023". Connections. University of Colorado. 6 April 2023.
  8. ↑ "History". Mile High Early Learning.
  9. 1 2 "Class of 2022 Denver Women of Distinction announced". Girl Scouts of Colorado. 11 April 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 "Anna Jo Garcia Haynes Legacy Project". Metropolitan State University of Denver.
  11. 1 2 "CONGRESSIONAL TRIBUTE TO FAYE BOYD, ANNA JO HAYNES, COUNCILWOMAN EDNA MOSLEY, STATE SENATOR GLORIA TANNER AND HAZEL WHITSETT". Congressional Record.
  12. ↑ Meltzer, Erica (April 25, 2022). "Gov. Polis signs Colorado universal preschool bill into law". Chalkbeat Colorado.
  13. ↑ Davidson, Joanne (17 May 2015). "Anna Jo Haynes family, Arlene Hirschfeld honored by Metro Volunteers". Denver Post.
  14. ↑ Contreras, Joe (27 August 2019). "Latina Legacy Circle Inductee Celebration Overflows With Pride & Accomplishment". Latin Life Denver.
  15. ↑ "Women United Luncheon" (PDF). Mile High United Way.
  16. ↑ Alejo, Anna (15 May 2023). "Champion for Colorado children awarded honorary doctorate and master's degrees". CBS Colorado.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.