Dr. Sylvia Kennedy Morrison is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of the District of Columbia. With extensive experience in K-12 leadership, she has served as a principal and director in Montgomery County Public Schools. Her research focuses on family engagement, early literacy, and early childhood policy. She has published on principal training and African American male participation in STEM. A recognized leader in educator preparation, she has contributed to national panels, accreditation processes, and community partnerships, ensuring equitable access to quality early childhood education.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Bowie State University Master of Arts in Education Administration and Supervision, Loyola University Bachelor of Arts in Special Education and Psychology, MacMurray College
Roles
Assistant Professor, UDC, 2018-Present Administrator, Academic Initiatives, Montgomery County Public Schools, 2017-18 Director/Chief Engagement and Partnership Officer, Montgomery County Public Schools, 2016-17 Director, Department of Instructional Programs, Montgomery County Public Schools, 2009-16 Principal, Montgomery County Public Schools, 1999-2009
Courses Taught
Managing Early Childhood Education Environment Impact of Home, School, Community, and Culture in Early Childhood Education Practicum II: Student Teaching Practicum I: Classroom Observations in Diverse Settings Assessing Learning in Young Children Foundations of Special Education
Expertise
Supervising Clinical Practicum
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Family engagement; early literacy; early childhood policy
Leadership
Higher Education Representative, State Advisory Panel on Special Education, 2019-Present Accreditation Validator, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, 2019 Accreditation Validator, Maryland EXCELS ERS/CLASS Assessor, Maryland State Department of Education, 2021-23 Member, Task Force on Teacher Education in Early Childhood Education, Maryland State Department of Education, 2014 Practitioner, Career Pathways for Youth Development, Montgomery College, 2012
Impact
Selected Publications
Shell, D.L., Burtin, A., & Morrison, S. (2023). Principals’ perceptions of academic training for the human capital management functions of their role. Journal of Liberal Arts and Humanities, 4(2).
Shell, D.L., Burtin, A., & Morrison, S. (2023). Principals’ academic training for their role as human capital managers. Journal of Liberal Arts and Humanities, 4(2).
Selected Presentations
Morrison, S.K. (2023). Instructional support in early childhood classroom.Communikids, McLean, Virginia.
Morrison, S.K. (2023). The effects of online reading activities on early childhood learners.Fathers and Families Conference, Los Angeles, California.
Morrison, S.K. (2022). School readiness and early childhood education.Institute of Educational Leadership, D.C. Education Policy Fellowship Program, Washington, D.C.
Morrison, S.K. (2022). Families and fathers: Necessary pillars for emergent literacy for early learners.Fathers and Families Conference, Los Angeles, California.
Morrison, S.K. (2020). Early childhood education. Institute of Educational Leadership, D.C. Education Policy Fellowship Program, Washington, D.C.
Morrison, S.K. (2019). Cultivating effective partnerships to promote student success, family, and community engagement. D.C. Early Childhood Summit, Washington, D.C.
Selected Grants
Public Health Management Corporation. (2023). The effects of online reading activities on early childhood learners.
Early Childhood Policy Institution of Higher Education. (2024). Early childhood policy certificate program.
Recognitions
Recipient, Appreciation/Service Award, Friends of ESOL, Montgomery County Public Schools, 2016 Recipient, Nancy C. Walker Award, Montgomery County Public Schools, 2006 Recipient, Superintendent’s Annual Mark Mann Excellence and Harmony Award, Montgomery County Public Schools, 2006
Invited Participations
Morrison, S.K. (2023). Participant. Public Health Management Corporation Visiting Scholars, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Morrison, S.K. (2023). Participant. National Black Child Development Institute Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Morrison, S.K. (2023). Participant. BranchEd Fall Summit, Denver, Colorado.
Morrison, S.K. (2023). Facilitator. Fathers and Families Conference, Los Angeles, California.
