ACEI elects new executive board members. (ACEI Executive Board News).

Jacqueline Blackwell President-Elect (2002-2003)

Jacqueline Blackwell, Associate Professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education at Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, is the new ACEI President-Elect. Blackwell has served her local ACEI Branch in several leadership roles, including Vice President, Indiana ACEI, 1987-1989; Co-President, IACEI, 1989-1990; Adviser, IACEI, 1991-1993; Vice President for Early Childhood--IACEI, 1993-1995; Co-President, IACEI, 1995-1997 and 1998-2002; and Co-Editor for Indiana newsletter, 2000.

On a national/international level, Blackwell has served on many ACEI committees, including the Presidents' Council, and served as a reviewer for Childhood Education. From 1996-1999 she served as the Vice President Representing Infancy/Early Childhood, and in 2000, she was the ACEI Representative for the National Study for School Evaluation.

"I believe that a group of individuals can make a difference," says Blackwell. "ACEI members are concerned about children, youth, and their families from rural to suburban to urban areas. ACEI has the talent to work across cultures, regions, and generations. We can collaborate with other associations and with governments, businesses, policymakers, and grassroots organizations. I firmly believe ACEI can make a significant difference. This collective body can create the mechanism for taking bold steps to create change or set the stage for change. As ACEI strengthens our local, state, national, and international groups, especially the student branches, we have the potential to reaffirm our commitment to a global community. Each member is a part of a larger whole, making ACEI a worldwide organization without boundaries."

Bessie L. Gage Vice President Representing Infancy/Early Childhood (2002-2005)

Bessie L. Gage, Department Chair/ Associate Professor of Education, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, North Carolina, is the new Vice President Representing Infancy /Early Childhood.

As a preschool teacher and center director, 1st-grade teacher, instructor/professor of early childhood education, and academic administrator, Gage has worked in the interests of young children for more than 30 years. Her ACEI contributions include being appointed to NCATE-BOE; serving on the Conference Proposal Review Committee, 1991; and serving as a Folio Reviewer, 1991-1997, and as a NCATE Program Reviewer, 1999-present. In addition, Gage has made eight presentations at ACEI annual conferences.

Gage believes that "developmental programs for young children may be in jeopardy with the current focus on testing. ACEI needs to have a continuing voice in promoting developmentally appropriate programs for young children."

Merribeth D. Bruning Secretary/Treasurer (2002-2005)

Merribeth D. Bruning, an Associate Professor and Program Director for Elementary Education, Indiana University South Bend, and soon to be Department Chair, Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle Level Education, Eastern Illinois University, is the new Secretary/ Treasurer for the ACEI Executive Board.

Bruning was the founder and faculty sponsor for the Bethel College ACEI Branch in 1998. She is also active with the University of Tennessee Branch.

Bruning states that as Secretary/Treasurer for ACEI she will "1) continue to promote the mission of ACEI, 2) provide accurate records about ACEI activities, 3) continue to work with other committed ACEI members to maintain the legacy of this organization, and 4) intentionally seek creative and meaningful ways to address the concerns of the children through active research and service."

In addition to her Branch activities, Bruning has contributed to ACEI through the ACEI Speakers' Bureau and as a presenter at ACEI annual conferences. She also has served on several ACEI committees, wrote several articles for the ACEI Exchange, and is currently an ACEI/NCATE Program Reviewer.

Aaron Parsons Student Representative (2002-2004) Aaron Parsons,

President of the ACEI Student Branch at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, is the new ACEI Student Representative.

Parsons began his involvement with ACEI while working on his education degree at Northeastern State University. "I felt that a membership in a professional organization was essential to further my knowledge about teaching children. A professor guided me towards the local branch of ACEI. After joining, I was elected Secretary and Student Senate Representative for the Branch. In April of 2000, I attended the conference in Baltimore, Maryland. I was overwhelmed by the number of professionals and students from around the world who attended. What was even more amazing is how everyone was a family. I was made to feel like an important component. I knew that ACEI was the organization for me."

Parsons was then elected to serve as Branch President. At the 2001 ACEI Annual Conference and Exhibition in Toronto, he presented a concurrent session and a Student Make-n-Take. He also took part in the Student Committee and Week of the Classroom Teacher Committee meetings.

Parsons has written articles for both the ACEI Student Connection and ACEI Exchange. He was also a 2001 recipient of the ACEI Elizabeth Breathwaite Student Leadership Award and the 2001 Branch Development Award.