News

Select news articles about Liza Sullivan’s projects at Skokie-Morton Grove School District 69 (2018-Present)

Liza Sullivan was promoted in 2020 to build a sustainable development department to expand the District's Community Schools personnel and programming.

Through the implementation of the national Community Schools strategy, District 69's schools are transformed into neighborhood hubs where students and families can access an array of programs and resources at the school itself. $4.1M was secured in the first two years from government entities, foundations, and individuals.

Liza Sullivan was hired in 2018 to develop Ready For Success (RFS), a new partnership between School District 69 and the Infant Welfare Society of Evanston.

RFS is an innovative national model for early childhood education which offers families comprehensive support and resources so children enter kindergarten ready to learn on a lifelong path for success.

Select news articles about Liza Sullivan’s projects at The Alliance for Early Childhood (2013-2018)

Liza Sullivan initiated and managed the Preschool-Kindergarten Summit, a new annual all-day, revenue-generating conference (2016-2018). All three events sold out within two weeks, each serving 200+ educators.

This annual event is an opportunity for early childhood educators and administrators to convene to discuss best practices, early childhood education trends, and emerging research that promotes optimal development for youngest learners.

Liza Sullivan built strategies and vision to implement more free outreach events to boost agency reputation in community and open doors to ongoing relationships with families and early childhood educators. Record-setting attendance was achieved after partnering with Chicago area institutions (Chicago Botanic Garden, Kohl Children’s Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo and others) to establish free, seasonal community play days.

The practice of unstructured free play is universally accepted as critical to a child’s social, cognitive, physical, and emotional growth, and therefore, is essential to childhood. Yet, children today are playing less than any previous generation. Through the Let’s Play! Initiative, which Liza Sullivan established, The Alliance for Early Childhood strengthens children’s healthy growth and development by restoring child-initiated, creative play to children’s lives.

  • “Glencoe Families Ream Benefits of Outdoor Play.” The Glencoe Anchor, February 16, 2018.

  • “Alliance of Early Childhood Partners with Various Organizations.” The Wilmette Beacon, February 13, 2018.

  • “Program Fosters Creativity in Children at Parks.” The Wilmette Beacon, June 9, 2017.

  • “Park-A-Day Challenge Gives Kids Tour of Area Playgrounds.” The Wilmette Beacon, June 13, 2016.

  • "Winter Play Date at Crow Island Woods.” The Winnetka Current, February 18, 2016.

  • “Park-A-Day Challenge Delights Families.” The Winnetka Current, June 18, 2015.

  • "Education Is The Root of New Children's Garden." The Winnetka Current, June 15, 2015.

  • “Outdoor Event Lets Kids Play, Use Creativity.” The Winnetka Current, April 3, 2014.

"Liza Sullivan Named as New Executive Director of The Alliance for Early Childhood." Winnetka Talk, September 6, 2013.