ICD MEd alum Kyra Ostendorf publishes Child Care Justice book

ICD alum Kyra Ostendorf (MEd ’00) recently hosted a book launch event at Campbell Hall for Child Care Justice, which she edited with noted early childhood advocate Maurice Sykes. Ostendorf spoke about the process she and Sykes undertook to conceptualize and edit the book, which features chapters from contributors in the fields of early childhood education, social work, public policy, and educational leadership.

“Historical racism and privilege within the field of early care and education has been a longstanding problem, and for people of color it has led to today’s opportunity gap, achievement gap, wage gap, and higher education gap,” Sykes wrote in the introduction. “This book aims to serve as a catalyst for change—to deliver a call for a national grassroots movement of individuals and groups who are committed to addressing the racial, gender, and economic injustices endemic to the field of early care and education.”

The book launch event also featured a panel discussion with Ostendorf, Sheila Williams Ridge, co-director of the Child Development Laboratory School, and Jamie Bonczyk, program officer for 80×3: Resilient from the Start at Greater Twin Cities United Way.

Ostendorf, who taught at the Shirley G. Moore Lab School for 2 years after receiving her MEd, now works in the publishing industry, where she supports the development of early childhood curriculum and other publications related to early childhood education.