Child Development Research Center director Stacy Johnson drives passion and purpose into the community while honoring a legacy
Presented by the Helen Jones Foundation and the Christine DeVitt and Helen DeVitt Jones Child Development Research Center (CDRC) at Texas Tech University, the Early Connections for Lifelong Learning Conference is a day of learning, connection, and inspiration. Designed for educators, caregivers, students, parents and anyone passionate about nurturing young minds, the event offers opportunities to hear from experts from Texas Tech and the South Plains community on topics such as moral development, infant sign language, movement and music, family wellness, outdoor learning environments, occupational therapy, developmentally appropriate practice and autism in early childhood settings. Participants can also tour CDRC classroom environments and meet the teachers who bring them to life.
“With support from the Helen Jones Foundation, we can sustain and grow this impactful professional development initiative — ensuring that early childhood educators in the South Plains have the tools, confidence and inspiration they need to give every child the strongest possible start in life,” said Stacy Johnson, CDRC director. “Their support also allows us to award scholarships, ensuring everyone can attend the conference.”
The CDRC is an accredited early childhood education and research facility within the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences. The center provides high-quality, developmentally appropriate programs for children from birth to age five, serving a diverse range of families, including those with children who have mild to moderate disabilities.
Using the High/Scope curriculum, the CDRC emphasizes active, child-initiated learning through play and exploration, supported by teachers who foster growth across physical, social, emotional and cognitive domains. In addition to serving local families, the center functions as a laboratory school, offering university students hands-on practicum and research opportunities, supporting interdisciplinary faculty studies, and promoting best practices in early childhood education.
“The vision for this conference originated with our former business coordinator, Marjie Collins, who advocated for its creation for many years before we officially launched in 2017,” Johnson said. “Marjie passed away in January 2020. We are deeply grateful that she was able to see her dream come to life. Her passion for the CDRC and her commitment to children continue to inspire us, and her legacy lives on through the aptly named Marjie Collins Early Connections for Lifelong Learning Conference.”
That legacy came full circle this past spring when Collins’ daughter, Maegan Guzman, lead administrator in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, completed a practicum in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences. In a meaningful tribute to her mother, Guzman devoted her practicum to helping the CDRC plan and organize the Spring 2025 conference, which was named in Collins’ honor.
Educators, caregivers, students, parents and community members came together with a shared purpose: to nurture strong, meaningful relationships with children and support their growth in every way possible.
The CDRC awarded up to 30 conference registration scholarships to individuals and programs that are not currently CCS providers as a gesture of appreciation for their commitment to improving the lives of young children.
Learn more about the Marjie Collins Early Connections for Lifelong Learning Conference here.