January 1, 2024
Mayville State University Professor of Education Dr. Kelli Odden has been selected for the position of president-elect of the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Education (NAECTE). During the two-year term, she will be mentored by Dr. Zeynep Isik-Ercan, Professor and Chair of the Early Childhood, Elementary Education and Critical Foundations Department at Rowan University, New Jersey; Dr. Pamela Evanshen, Professor and Department Chair of Early Childhood Education at East Tennessee State University; and Dr. Will Parnell Professor, Early Childhood Education & Curriculum and Instruction, Portland State University.
Odden played a major role in planning and executing this year’s NAECTE national conference. This was the fourth time she’s been in this leadership role. In addition, she served as emcee of the event. The conference was held Nov. 13-16, 2023 in Nashville, Tenn. Camille Catlett, M.A., a senior technical assistance specialist at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, was keynote speaker.
“I am still on a high of excitement, laughter, awe, and exhaustion,” exclaimed Kelli.
“I always start every state, national, and international talk by answering the question, ‘Where is this lady from?’ My answer - Mayville, North Dakota, the home of the Comets. I am a proud alumnus and professor at Mayville State University, a place where you know everyone, and it is exceptional!”
During the conference, Dr. Odden was able to discuss education, early childhood, teacher preparation, and meeting the needs of children, families, and educational systems.
“It was inspiring and motivating,” said Odden. “I love big-picture thinking and being able to work with people who want to move forward and make changes to support our children, families, and current and future educators. I was proud to represent Mayville State University at the table with East Tennessee State University, Harvard, University of North Carolina, Stanford, and Texas A&M, to name a few. I am still pinching myself!”
As an emcee, Kelli is extremely effective in capturing her audience. She had high profile individuals from across the nation and world doing the chicken dance, high-fiving their neighbors, and belly laughing until tears ran down their faces.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children's Senior Director of Higher Education Accreditation asked Odden how she does it. “I have come to listen to you for the last four conferences, and you do it every time … a room of hundreds of people and you have them in the palm of your hand."
Odden enthusiastically replied, “LAUGHTER! They say a smile is universal, and so is laughter!”
Dr. Odden is grateful for the opportunities she’s been given through her involvement with NAECTE.
“I am so thankful for all that NAECTE has allowed me to do, and they keep pushing me forward. I also thank the administration and my colleagues at Mayville State University for their support and for allowing me the time to do this work. It is fantastic to see how this work positively impacts our Division of Education and Mayville State University as a whole.”
Photo caption: Dr. Kelli Odden (right) is pictured with Karen LaParo, a top early childhood researcher and associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.