Let's talk about Professional Development!

As part of our partner spotlight, we’re highlighting Avril Mills, Professional Development Director at New York Association for the Education of Young Children (NYAEYC). In this conversation, we learned more about her unexpected beginnings, diverse leadership roles, and deep commitment to supporting educators and families.

Could you share a bit more about yourself and your professional journey in early childhood education?

I actually found my way into early childhood education somewhat unexpectedly. During my first year of college, while I was studying nursing, I took a job as an Assistant Infant–Toddler Teacher in an NAEYC‑accredited program. I thought it would just be part‑time work, but it didn’t take long for me to realize how much I loved being with young children and supporting their families. By the start of my second year, I knew this was the field I wanted to be in, and I changed my major.

Over the years, I’ve been lucky to work in many different roles: assistant teacher, head teacher, assistant director, site director, program director for a multi‑site agency, and even accreditation support specialist. I also spent time as a Family Child Care and School‑Age registrar at a child care resource center, which gave me a different perspective on the broader system and the needs of providers.

In 2010, I joined NYAEYC in a brand‑new role as the credential coordinator. It was exciting to be part of building something from the ground up and to work alongside so many thoughtful colleagues and partners across the state. The role eventually grew into a full‑time director position, and now I get to lead a team that supports early childhood educators, administrators, owners, and professional development providers. Helping people grow in their careers and watching them reach their goals continues to be one of my favorite parts of this work.

What’s something you’re working on right now that you’re really excited about?

Right now, I’m really energized by the work our team is doing around the revised NYS Core Body of Knowledge. The updates have given us a chance to refine our credentialing processes and refresh our professional development content in ways that truly reflect what we’ve heard from participants, peer reviewers, and national guidance. It feels good to make changes that are both thoughtful and responsive to the field.

I’m also very excited about our upcoming Annual Conference. This year, the quality and depth of the session proposals absolutely amazed me; we received more submissions than at any point in my time here. I can’t wait for attendees to experience the sessions and learn from such an impressive group of PD providers, higher‑ed faculty, and state partners. I hope that our keynotes and concurrent sessions spark new ideas, inspire meaningful action, and help move our work forward in positive ways for educators, children, and families.

Have you noticed an increase in your colleagues' understanding of the use and connection to the Aspire Registry?

Yes, I’ve really seen a noticeable increase in how my colleagues understand and use the Aspire Registry. Over time, as we’ve had more chances to walk through the system together and answer questions in real time, people have become much more confident—not just about logging their information, but about understanding why the Registry matters for their professional growth.

What’s been especially encouraging is seeing colleagues make the connection between Aspire and the bigger picture of our work. The data we’re able to gather through the Registry has become incredibly valuable. It helps us identify where educators need more support, which topics deserve deeper professional learning, and where there are gaps we can address through training and coaching. That same data also plays a big role in our ability to apply for, obtain, and report on grants. Having accurate, statewide information strengthens our proposals and helps us tell a clear story about the needs of the field.

All of this has contributed to a growing recognition that the Registry is not just a requirement for NYAEYC Credentials, it's a tool that helps move the profession forward. And watching that understanding grow has been really rewarding.