Team AzAEYC
Dr. Felicia Durden is a nationally recognized educator, published author, and passionate advocate for early learners. As Executive Director of Arizona Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), she leads with a deep commitment to equitable, research-based practices that support the whole child starting in the earliest years.
With over two decades of experience in education, Felicia has served as a teacher, school principal, and Associate Superintendent at the Arizona Department of Education. A published author, she has contributed to the field with resources that support both educators and students. Her expertise spans foundational literacy, culturally responsive instruction, and leadership development. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction, and a Bachelor’s in English Literature.
Her leadership at AZASCD is grounded in a deep commitment to educational equity, innovation, and whole-child development. She believes that every student regardless of background deserves access to transformative learning experiences that are high-quality, inclusive, and filled with purpose and joy.
“When we nurture the whole child from the earliest years with intention, purpose, and joy, we don’t just shape learners, we shape the future.”
Jo (she, her, hers) assists with the development and publishing of content for social media, the AzAEYC website, press releases and other marketing and communications outreach for the organization. She has a journalism degree from Colorado State University and an MBA in organizational leadership and change management from Southern New Hampshire University.
Early childhood care providers had such a positive impact on me when I was growing up. Then when I was a single parent raising my son in the Phoenix area, we were so fortunate to have educators who saw my son’s potential and encouraged his curiosity and hunger for knowledge. Those experiences make me proud to work for AzAEYC and on behalf of early childhood educators.
