Candyee is a Georgia native who has proudly called Tennessee home since moving to Nashville to attend Lipscomb University. With over 30 years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education, her professional journey has included roles as a preschool teacher, CDA instructor, and program director.

Currently, she serves as the Director of First Presbyterian Church Early Preschool, where she leads with a deep commitment to high-quality early learning experiences. Candyee has also been an active member of the Tennessee Association for the Education of Young Children (TACEE), serving in multiple leadership positions over the years.

Her passion lies in all aspects of early childhood education, particularly in program development and classroom environment design. A strong advocate of emergent curriculum and the Reggio Emilia philosophy, Candyee believes in creating learning spaces that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

  I have been professionally involved in childcare for 35 years.  My first job was in a two-year-old room as a teacher assistant at the age of 15.  I have been blessed to serve in many roles during my career.  From a Sunday school teacher, a work study and graduate assistant at UTM’s children’s center, a Child/Family advocate for TSU: Early Headstart, classroom teacher in a Faith-based childcare center, Director of that same center, Interim Children’s Minister for my church, and now Educational Specialist at Promethean Foundation.  I consider myself a community advocate for teachers and children and have developed and implemented several trainings to help teachers grow in the classroom.

I am passionate about ensuring that every early childhood classroom is portraying high standards for each child they serve. I love working together with teachers,

I graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin, with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Then went on to receive my Masters in Human Environmental Sciences with an emphasis on Child and Family Relations.  After graduation, I married my best friend, Jon Ed.  He is a farmer and we own a sporting goods business, Final Flight Outfitters.  We have two amazing children. 

Connie Casha is the director of early learning programs at Middle Tennessee State University.

She  coordinates the early learning services provided by the Home and Community-Based Early Intervention program, the Ann Campbell Early Learning Center, and the Child Development Center lab school.  She also works to raise public awareness and support for understanding the importance of the early childhood years.

In 2008, she was instrumental in bringing to Tennessee a research based framework training (The Pyramid Model) to provide teachers with the tools to best support young children’s social and emotional development. She continues to provide this training to teachers of young children across the state.

Connie is married to Joe, a mother to three children and grandmother to eight- soon to be nine - all here in middle Tennessee. 

Connie holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, a Masters degree in early childhood education, with an emphasis in special education, and teacher licensure in grades prek-6 in both elementary and special education.

Jenny Campbell is the Marketing Administrator for the Promethean Foundation in Union City, TN. The foundation provides scholarships for at-risk children in Obion County. An important role that she performs with the foundation is to follow up with children in the program with progress notes and determine which children are not making progress and determine a course of action to correct if needed. She loves developing the relationships with the Child Care Directors and teachers because when those relationships are strong, the children really reap the benefits. She is also very active in the community and currently enrolled with Adult Leadership Obion County to better know how to serve and love her county and its residents. Jenny is the proud mother of Hillary Campbell. Hillary is 12 years old and very active in her school and church. They both love serving others both here at home and on international mission trips. Jenny spends most of her time outside of work, driving Hillary to dance class and theater practice and loves every moment of helping her daughter chase her passion.

Kathy W. Ennis, M.Ed., has dedicated 49 years to the field of Early Childhood Education, serving in a wide range of roles including teacher, director, mentor, coach, college professor, and trainer. Now semi-retired, she continues to share her expertise as an early childhood consultant, assisting programs with revising personnel and procedure manuals, advising program directors, and currently serving as Interim Director at Little Blossoms Early Learning and Development Center in Smyrna, alongside Co-Director Melanie Anderson.

A passionate advocate for the early years, Ms. Ennis believes that every child deserves to be respected and valued as a capable learner from birth. She emphasizes the importance of empowering educators with the training, support, and resources necessary to nurture creativity and curiosity in young children. Her philosophy centers on creating environments that “set the stage” for learning—where exploration, discovery, and problem-solving naturally flourish.

A proud Nashville native, Ms. Ennis enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, family, and friends.

Markeem Tyler is a results-driven operations professional with a strong background in business administration, leadership, and organizational management. Born in Springfield, Tennessee, and raised in Murfreesboro, he has developed a deep commitment to excellence, integrity, and service throughout his career.

Currently serving as an Office Operations Associate at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Markeem oversees daily operations, manages budgets, and designs marketing materials for the Ann Campbell Early Learning Center. His attention to detail, strategic mindset, and ability to improve efficiency make him a valued contributor to the university’s success.

Markeem earned his Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Economics and Finance from MTSU, graduating cum laude and achieving multiple academic honors, including the Dean’s List. He is now pursuing a Master of Liberal Arts degree at MTSU, where he continues to strengthen his skills in leadership, communication, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.

With previous leadership experience at Walmart, Unipres USA, and Rutherford County Probation & Recovery Services, Markeem brings over a decade of expertise in quality control, compliance, staff management, and operational improvement.

Outside of his professional work, he serves as a Leadership Board Member, Financial Officer, and Outreach Coordinator for For His Glory Ministry, where he leads initiatives that promote community engagement and ethical stewardship.

Markeem is known for his strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and forward-thinking approach. He is passionate about helping organizations and people grow through collaboration, mentorship, and accountability.