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Worthy Convos: Yolanda Willis of Camp Fire First Texas on Supporting Educators
We started Worthy Convos to highlight people doing good and interesting things in our community. Yolanda Willis is the Vice President of Early Education Workforce Development for Camp Fire First Texas (CFFT), leading efforts to strengthen systems that support a skilled, sustainable early education workforce in our community. Yolanda graciously took part in this Worthy Convo.
Tanglewood Moms: Congratulations on your appointment as Vice President of Early Education Workforce Development of Camp Fire First Texas (CFFT)! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself pre-CFFT?
Yolanda Willis: Thank you! My career has always centered on education, people, and creating opportunities for others to succeed across all stages of life.
I began my career as a Social Worker for Head Start at Region 10, where I worked closely with young children and families. That experience gave me a deep understanding of how critical the early years are and how much families rely on strong early childhood programs.
From there, I spent nearly eight years with Dallas ISD, supporting students and educational initiatives at the K-12 level. I later joined Texas A&M University-Commerce, where I focused on student engagement and community partnerships, working with both traditional college students and adult learners returning to education.
Throughout each role, one thing remained consistent: I was helping individuals at all levels, from young students to adult learners, discover opportunities, overcome barriers, and achieve their goals. When I joined Camp Fire, I found an opportunity to bring all of those experiences together. Today, I have the privilege of leading workforce development efforts that strengthen the early childhood profession and create career pathways for both emerging students and adult learners across North Texas.
TWM: You’ve been involved in student engagement throughout your career. Was there a particular teacher or mentor who influenced your career path?
YW: I’ve been fortunate to have several mentors throughout my career, and each of them influenced me in different ways. They challenged me to think beyond the next job and focus on making a lasting impact. More importantly, they believed in me before I fully believed in myself.
Those experiences shaped the kind of leader I strive to be today. I believe one of the greatest responsibilities of leadership is developing others, opening doors, and helping people recognize their own potential, whether they are high school students, college students, adult learners, or professionals already in the workforce. That’s why mentoring and coaching are such an important part of my work.
Photo courtesy of Camp Fire First Texas
TWM: What drew you to Camp Fire First Texas?
YW: Honestly, when I first came across the opportunity at Camp Fire, I wasn’t familiar with the organization or its apprenticeship program. I had just accepted the role as Director of the apprenticeship program, and it was a new space for me.
What drew me in was the opportunity itself, the chance to build something meaningful and impactful. As I learned more about Camp Fire’s mission and the work being done to support early childhood educators, I realized how aligned it was with my passion for creating pathways for individuals at every stage: students exploring careers, adult learners reentering education, and professionals advancing within the workforce.
Stepping into that role allowed me to grow alongside the program, and over time, I became deeply connected to the mission and the impact we were making in supporting both the student pipeline and the existing early childhood workforce.
TWM: What does your new role at CFFT entail?
YW: As Vice President of Early Education Workforce Development, I provide strategic leadership for Camp Fire’s workforce initiatives across North Texas.
My team oversees registered apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeship programs, workplace learning, professional development, leadership pathways, and partnerships with employers, school districts, higher education institutions, workforce boards, and state and national organizations.
A key part of my role is ensuring we build a comprehensive system that supports individuals at every level, from high school students exploring the field to adult learners seeking new career opportunities to current early childhood educators advancing in their careers. Ultimately, my work focuses on strengthening the early childhood workforce by creating meaningful, accessible pathways that support both students and adult learners while meeting the needs of the field.
TWM: Why is investing in early childhood educators so important to us as a society?
YW: Early childhood educators do some of the most important work in our communities. They help build the foundation for children’s learning, social development, and lifelong success.
Yet, despite the importance of their work, the profession has historically been underinvested. If we want children to thrive, families to succeed, and communities to grow, we have to invest in the people who make that possible.
Investing in educators means supporting individuals across the entire pipeline, from students entering the field to adult learners transitioning into early childhood careers, and experienced educators seeking advancement. This includes providing career pathways, professional development, coaching, competitive opportunities for advancement, and leadership development. When educators are supported and remain in the profession, everyone benefits: children, families, employers, and our economy.
TWM: How does CFFT support early childhood educators in North Texas?
YW: Camp Fire supports educators throughout every stage of their career journey.
We provide professional development, coaching, mentoring, registered apprenticeships, leadership development, and opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials and college credit while working. Our programs are intentionally designed to support both traditional students and adult learners who may be balancing work, family, and education.
We’ve also built what we call an early childhood workforce ecosystem, supporting individuals from career exploration in high school, to entry into the workforce, to continued education and advancement, and ultimately leadership. We recognize that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, so we’ve created multiple pathways that meet both students and adult learners where they are.
TWM: Could you tell us a little bit about the Camp Fire Early Education Pre-Apprenticeship Program?
YW: Our Pre-Apprenticeship Program introduces high school students and aspiring educators, including adult learners exploring a new career, to early childhood education before they enter the workforce full time.
Participants gain foundational knowledge, workplace experience, employability skills, and exposure to the profession while earning industry-recognized credentials. For many, it’s their first opportunity to see early childhood education as a meaningful and viable career path.
The program also creates a seamless pathway into our Registered Apprenticeship Program, allowing participants, whether they are recent graduates or adult learners, to continue building their education and careers while earning and learning at the same time.
TWM: Earlier this year, you were elected to serve as a Student Governing Board Member-Elect for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). What is the NAEYC and what does it do?
YW: NAEYC is one of the nation’s leading professional organizations dedicated to promoting high-quality early learning for children from birth through age eight. The organization supports educators through research, professional standards, accreditation, advocacy, and leadership development.
Being elected to serve as a Student Governing Board Member Elect is truly an honor. In this role, I represent students at all levels, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, as well as adult learners who are balancing education with work and family responsibilities. I also bring the perspective of the early childhood workforce into national conversations, ensuring that both students and working professionals are represented in shaping the future of the field.
TWM: You’re working on your doctorate. Can you tell us a little bit about it?
YW: I’m currently pursuing my Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership at Abilene Christian University.
My research focuses on teacher retention in early childhood education. Specifically, I’m exploring how positive leadership practices influence educators’ decisions to remain in the profession.
This research is deeply connected to the work I do every day. We know recruitment is important, but retention is equally critical, especially for adult learners and working professionals who are balancing multiple responsibilities. I hope that the findings will help organizations create workplace cultures where educators feel supported, valued, and empowered to build long-term, sustainable careers.
TWM: And finally, how can we help support early educators, Camp Fire First Texas, and children?
YW: Supporting early educators is something everyone can be part of.
We can advocate for greater investment in the profession, recognize the incredible work educators do every day, and create opportunities for professional growth and leadership for both students entering the field and adult learners already in the workforce. Businesses, community organizations, higher education institutions, policymakers, and individuals all have a role to play.
At Camp Fire, we’re committed to building a stronger workforce by supporting both the student pipeline and the current early childhood workforce. We know that strong educators create strong classrooms, strong families, and stronger communities.
When we invest in early childhood educators, at every stage of their journey, we’re not just supporting a profession; we’re investing in the future of every child and every community they will one day lead.
