by Robin Levy, Cohort 5
Reflect with me…
It’s late July—a quiet time in Colorado’s early childhood education (ECE) landscape. School systems are enjoying their last few weeks of flexibility before the rush of August kicks in. And I find myself reflective, savoring these moments of calm when I can really think. And, sometimes scroll, too.
I recently had the honor of receiving the Pyramid Model Consortiums Champion Award. But I don’t see it as a personal award. For me, it’s a reflection on the ECE workforce—on what it means to learn through doing, and to pursue formal education where and when life and children allow. It’s about systems, challenges, and growth—both personal and collective.
A Look Back: Family Flex and the Weight of Leadership
Being the director at Family Flex Early Learning, a community based for-profit program in the heart of Denver, remains as one of the most demanding roles I’ve ever taken on. Meeting the needs of 25-ish staff and about 100 children and families—while navigating systems in flux in anticipation of a new Colorado Department of Early Childhood, and rapidly evolving technology—was no small feat, especially for someone who identifies as a “barely-Baby Boomer.” Even with 15 years of experience directing a similar sized program, I lasted a year before stepping in to help the parent Board of Directors sell the program.
That was before COVID 19.
Before the world changed.
And before our most recent presidential election, when everything changed, again.
Where We Are Now: Mid-2025
The landscape continues to evolve. Systems shift, crack, threatening to burn down. New expectations percolate. Fear grows. And the people doing the work—educators, leaders, caregivers—continue to rise, adapt, and stretch to meet the ever-growing needs of children and families living in Colorado communities.
So, I’ve come to embrace this simple mantra: Be Fluid.
Move, flex, innovate, respond—and get comfortable with change. Let “being fluid” become a professional and personal skillset.
Positive Solutions for Families (PSfF) Endorsement: A Story of Vision, Collaboration, and Impact
A few years ago, a Pyramid Facilitator approached me with a compelling question: Could we create a new endorsement specific to the Positive Solutions for Families (PSfF) content? She shared powerful reasons why this work was needed—reasons that resonated deeply with me and others. We agreed, and a workgroup was formed to explore what this could look like. At the same time, the organization where I work, Healthy Child Care Colorado (HCCC) was exploring how to support and launch this new endeavor. The need for such an endorsement was clear—but as is often the case, there was no dedicated funding to support it.
As the endorsement began to take shape, HCCC was also evaluating new funding opportunities. One area of focus was the support of Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers. A question arose: What if this new PSfF Endorsement, originally created to elevate early childhood professionals and Head Start parents could also provide a pathway for FFN caregivers to learn about and engage with Pyramid Model practices as they consider their own learning and development?
Through continued dialogue and reflection between the PSfF Endorsement team and HCCC, we created an endorsement process that was accessible, usable, and sustainable. In addition to the impacts from the endorsement, we supported partners in strengthening their FFN legislative agenda using data gathered through this project.
What began as a question from one facilitator has grown into a multi-layered initiative that honors the original intent while evolving to meet broader community needs. This is a testament to what can happen when passion meets perseverance and when collaboration is given time and space to grow.
And just as importantly: Include, Elevate, Invest
There are so many individuals already doing early childhood work—in the corners of our communities, in informal roles, in ways that often go unrecognized. They want to be part of our ECE workforce. We need to create more creative and fluid pathways to include and elevate them. Look for those people—inside and on the fringes of our systems. Invest in them.
Daniel’s Journey: A Story of Persistence, Purpose, and Partnership
Daniel, a father of five and educator working at a local community college, recently completed his Pyramid Facilitator Certification. From the start, Daniel made it clear that this work was deeply personal to him. He envisioned creating a nonprofit “Pyramid Early Childhood Program” to serve a specific low-income, under-resourced, and Spanish bilingual area in Denver. After attending Pyramid training in Spanish, he was really committed to becoming a Pyramid Facilitator himself to serve his community more effectively. However, like many individuals working to uplift others, Daniel faced financial barriers. He applied for the program but struggled to cover the $2000 fee.
By this point, Daniel had already made significant progress in the certification process, and was thriving—despite navigating serious family health challenges. I shared this situation with my team during a meeting, frustrated and searching for a solution. One team member offered an idea: Could one of our sponsors help?
That idea opened a window in my mind. In a creative and generous exchange, one of our sponsors agreed to cover Daniel’s certification costs in return for translation services—Daniel is a credentialed translator and interpreter, too! Now, Daniel is a certified Pyramid Facilitator, his family is healing, and his vision is coming to life. He is actively sharing Positive Solutions for Families (PSfF) content within the Denver neighborhood he hopes to serve through his nonprofit. He has also provided valuable translation support to our team.
Daniel’s story is one of unwavering dedication and it’s a powerful reminder of what can happen when we make room for flexibility, creativity, and compassion in our systems. He represents the very heart of this work—someone rooted in community, guided by purpose, and willing to do the hard work to lift others up.
A Call to Action
As early care and education leaders formulate responses for what’s next—whether in August, with the start of a new school year, or beyond—I encourage all of us to pause and reflect:
- Who can we include? Who’s missing that is already doing a facet of this work?
- What systems need revisiting?
- How can we lead with flexibility, inclusion (in multiple dimensions), and the courage to face uninvited, seemingly continuous change?
Let’s build a workforce—and a system—that reflects the diversity, resilience, and brilliance of those doing the work every day.