Published by CounciLINK on February 28, 2019
Carrin Bachowski said she knew her calling very early on in life.
“As a child, I always knew I wanted to work with children,” Bachowski said. But she wasn’t sure exactly how. She began figuring it out 13 years ago after getting her B.A. in psychology and sociology, then taking a position as an assistant director in a child care center.
Two years later, she received her teaching certification and became one of the first kindergarten teachers at a new charter school in Camden, NJ.
“That experience plus some time at the school’s child care center ignited my passion for producing better-educated and better-trained early childhood professionals,” she said.
Bachowski began pursuing this goal as an early childhood educator at Sterling High School in Somerdale, NJ. For the past nine years, she has worked with the state’s Career and Technical Education Partnership to revamp Sterling’s child development program and increase offerings from one course to five, including a seminar that she teaches herself. Her students at Sterling High progress from theory to practice while making their way through the program.
Experience in a preschool laboratory classroom gives them insights into early childhood curriculum models, assessment and observation, children’s well-being and health. Along the way, they get the chance to earn some credits at Camden County College. At the end, they compile all their work into a portfolio that follows the professional standards of the Child Development Associate (CDA®) credential.
And the standards of Sterling’s program are so high that it has been designated a Choice School Program that students in other districts may attend. This speaks to the program’s success and to the sense of passion Bachowski has brought to it over the years. It’s a passion she hopes to pass on to all of the students she trains.
Despite all she’s already achieved, she said, “I’m determined to further enhance the program offerings at Sterling High and better prepare students who plan to pursue a career in early childhood education.”
Carrin Bachowski is a Professional Development Specialist (PDS), teacher and a Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA Adviser) in Somerdale, NJ.
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In Janie’s prior role, she was the Vice President of Administration at Equal Justice Works, where she was responsible for leading human resources, financial operations, facilities management, and information technology. She was also accountable for developing and implementing Equal Justice Works Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy focused on attracting diverse, mission-oriented talent and creating an inclusive and equitable workplace environment. With more than fifteen years of private, federal, and not-for-profit experience, Janie is known for her intuitive skill in administration management, human resources management, designing and leading complex system change, diversity and inclusion, and social justice reform efforts.
Before joining Equal Justice Works, Janie was the Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer for Global Communities, where she was responsible for the design, implementation, and management of integrated HR and diversity strategies. Her work impacted employees in over twenty-two countries. She was responsible for the effective management of different cultural, legal, regulatory, and economic systems for both domestic and international employees. Prior to Global Communities, Janie enjoyed a ten-year career with the federal government. As a member of the Senior Executive Service, she held key strategic human resources positions with multiple cabinet-level agencies and served as an advisor and senior coach to leaders across the federal sector. In these roles, she received recognition from management, industry publications, peers, and staff for driving the creation and execution of programs that created an engaged and productive workforce.
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Janie received her M.A. in Organization Development from American University. She holds numerous professional development certificates in Human Capital Management and Change Management, including a Diversity and Inclusion in Human Resources certificate from Cornell University. She completed the year-long Maryland Equity and Inclusion Leadership Program sponsored by The Schaefer Center for Public Policy and The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. She is a trained mediator and Certified Professional Coach. She is a graduate of Leadership America, former board chair of the NTL Institute and currently co-steward of the organization’s social justice community of practice, and a member of The Society for Human Resource Management. Additionally, Janie is the Board Chairperson for the Special Education Citizens Advisory Council for Prince Georges County where she is active in developing partnerships that facilitate discussion between parents, families, educators, community leaders, and the PG County school administration to enhance services for students with disabilities which is her passion. She and her husband Randolph reside in Fort Washington Maryland.
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