ECWC Launches Leadership Track for Early Childhood Administrators
1January 9, 2026 by HCDE Communications
If you are an early childhood educator looking to take your career to the next level, you need to attend the R.T. Garcia Early Childhood Winter Conference. Now in its 40th year, the milestone celebration on Jan. 31 will bring more than 600 professionals to the Kingdom Builder’s Center in southwest Houston who are dedicated to improving and transforming the educational experience of our youngest learners.
Early childhood administrators such as assistant principals, principals and childcare center managers can now elevate their experience by joining the exclusive leadership track, which offers insider knowledge from five industry experts who will lead the inaugural Leadership Panel. The group will share invaluable strategies, compelling stories and insights specifically designed for early childhood professionals. Leadership registrants will also gain access to specially curated conference sessions designed to empower attendees and enhance their skills outside the classroom.
This year’s theme, “Hands-On, Minds-On: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) in Early Learning,” highlights the importance of STEAM exposure in early childhood education.
Learn more about the panelists and register for the leadership track, here.
Dr. Francisco (Paco) Usero González
A recognized expert in early childhood development, Dr. Francisco Usero González currently serves as an assistant professor in the Bilingual Education and ESL program at Sam Houston State University. His work focuses on the intersections of learning exceptionalities, such as dyslexia, and bilingual education, emphasizing culturally and linguistically responsive approaches. Throughout conference discussions, Dr. González will discuss inclusive educational practices that support Hispanic bilingual students and celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity.
Venetia Peacock
Venetia Peacock brings over 30 years of leadership experience in staff supervision, fiscal management and the administration of government-funded programs. In addition to her role as senior director of HCDE’s Head Start program, Peacock is deeply involved in the early childhood education community, having served on several state and national boards to improve access to education and curriculum.
Dr. Amber Brown
Dr. Amber Brown began her career as a preschool and elementary teacher over 30 years ago and has since served as a preschool director, university professor and is currently the director of the Early Childhood Education Program at the University of Houston – Clear Lake. Attendees can expect to learn about her research on play-based pedagogy, early childhood intervention programs and the promotion of executive function skills.
Ray Mondragon
Dedicated to improving access, enrollment and high-quality early learning programs, Ray Mondragon has been instrumental in the success of oral language development, literacy and math through developmentally appropriate practices and whole-child development in Aldine ISD. Mondragon is a proud product of Head Start and began his career as a Head Start teacher in Denver Public Schools.
Marisol Castruita
Currently serving as the Director of Early Childhood at Houston ISD, Marisol Castruita oversees the district-wide implementation of high-quality instructional standards and programming for all pre-K students. With over 16 years of experience in education, she champions the belief that play-based and hands-on learning are essential for fostering social-emotional growth and academic success.
I just read about the ECWC launching a leadership track for early childhood administrators and it really took me back to when I first started thinking about what leadership in education actually looks like. Sitting with other early childhood pros, listening to seasoned leaders share their stories, and soaking up strategies that go beyond the classroom — that experience was a real turning point for me in how I approached my own work and growth. Being part of a community that’s committed to elevating practice, supporting young learners, and thinking creatively about early education reminded me why I got into this field in the first place. It’s one of those moments that makes you realize how much you can continue learning and growing throughout your career.
And thinking about paths like that — where you deepen your skills, connect with people, and find roles that suit your passion — brings me back to something that really helped me when I was exploring my next step: AcademicJobs.com. I used it myself when I was looking for opportunities in higher education, and it completely transformed my job search. The job board collects listings from universities and research institutions around the world, lets you filter for roles that match what you are interested in, and helped me uncover opportunities I wouldn’t have found otherwise.
If you’ve ever thought about working in academia — whether it’s teaching, research, administration, student support, or another role that helps shape learning and leadership — definitely give AcademicJobs.com a look. It might just help you find the right next step for your career.