Jessica Gobble-Reil

My name is Jessica Gobble-Reil and I am so privileged to be a part of the NECPA verification team. I have been in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 15 years and hold a degree in Early Childhood Development. Since my first experience working with our worlds future leaders, I knew that I was in the right place. I started my career as a two year old teacher and then advanced to an assistant administrative roll. After that I became a director of a corporate based child care center and then transitioned to the director of a non-profit Preschool.  I have been with the same non-profit company for 7 years and am now a Regional Preschool Director. In this role I ensure that our programs are high quality, safe, engaging and educational spaces for our children and families.

I currently live in Maryland with my husband, Steven and my two sons, Finley and Cayden. Spending time with my family is a very important part of my life. We enjoy spending time in Cape May, New Jersey where I have been vacationing since I was a child and cheering on our Baltimore Ravens!

I look forward to working with each of you on your NECPA journey. Together, we can ensure that the leaders of tomorrow have a strong educational foundation.

Christina Francesconi

My entire 45 year career has been committed to the advocacy of providing quality care to the children of my community. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education, along with many hours of continuing education in a variety of subjects including childcare management, ECE workshops, and NECPA training. I started my career at a private kindergarten program in which I worked as a lead teacher for 20 years. I then realized I could touch so many more children and families as a director in the child care setting. I was a director for 5 years and then for the next 15 years, I was a supervisor of numerous centers in the area. I continue to consult as an education specialist. I believe all children deserve a good beginning and all good beginnings start in quality early childhood programs. In addition to a very rewarding career, I’ve been happily married for 45 years with 3 children and 6 grandchildren. 

Janice Smith

My name is Janice Smith, and I have been a NECPA Verifier since 2011. I have an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.

I was a Program Director for a small center from 1992 until 1998, and was a Program Director for KinderCare Learning Center from 1998 until 2011.  My center was the first in Northwest Missouri to be Nationally Accredited.  I was on our District Accreditation team and worked with other Director’s on their Accreditation. 

I am married and have two children and one beautiful granddaughter.  My husband and I retired in 2017 and have been traveling around the United States in our motorhome.

I love being around children and I appreciate all the work that goes into achieving and maintaining an Accredited center.

“A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which everyone leaves a mark."

Victoria Baker

Child Care/Development and Education Services for Cummins, Inc.

Victoria is currently the Child Development and Education Services Director for Cummins Inc., globally. Victoria was previously the On-Site Facilities/Child Environment Manager at Cummins Child Development Center in Columbus, Indiana. She was responsible for quality assurance programs that safeguard compliance with all Cummins Inc., standards for child development centers/environments. Victoria’s position is significant and necessary to assess compliance with a full range of Health and Safety policies and procedures, as well as Curriculum and Program performance review.

In addition, Victoria has over 34 years of experience working at all levels of Early Childhood Education. She has been a teacher, Asst. Director, Director, Executive Director and Consultant, all in the field of Early Childhood. Victoria is a lifelong Columbus, Indiana resident and a nationally recognized educational activist. She has been instrumental in implementing and advocating for the well-being (social, emotional, physical, intellectual and environmental) of children she has directly and indirectly came in contact with.

Victoria shares her passion with not only teachers, parents and children in Indiana, but globally as well. Through her global journeys and her involvement with the 5 Star Environmental Program, National Early Childhood Accreditation Program and the Child Development Credentialing Program, she encourages all childhood educators and managers, parents and children to participate and act on environmental issues in and out of the child care centers.

Victoria has a degree in Early Childhood Education and is a Subtle Yoga Instructor. She is married with two daughters and two granddaughters. She spends her free time, traveling, gardening and teaching Subtle Yoga.

Jeanie Harris

Program Operations Manager, Generations Child Care, Inc.

Jeanie has spent over 27 years in the Early Childhood field serving in many different capacities. She has a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and currently oversees all programming and operations for 6 child care centers.  She was previously a Center Director and an accreditation and programming specialist for the local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency.  Jeanie joined Generations Child Care. Inc in 1999 bringing strong expertise in Early Care and Education Programming and Accreditation Standards.  Focused on Program Development for many years, Jeanie shares that knowledge and experience with Generations comprehensively in her current administrative role.  She has been involved with both NAEYC and NECPA accreditation and has served as a validator / assessor or verifier for both systems in the past.  Jeanie is actively involved in early childhood advocacy and serves on the Advocacy Committee for Rochester’s Early Childhood Development Initiative.  She also participates in the Child Care Administrators group.  She has conducted countless trainings for her own company, in the local community, and previously at national conferences.  She is passionate about providing exceptional quality early care and education to all families.