Ángela H. Bayer-Persico

Angela H. Bayer-Persico, M.Ed. is an inspiring early childhood educator and child advocate who discovered her love and passion for working with children when she became a mother. As a very young mom without a “village” to support her in her new role, Angela decided to do some research on best practices of caring for children. She read and adopted Magda Gerber’s child care philosophy, and her life was changed. She learned about RIE, the nonprofit organization that Magda Gerber founded, and was inspired by Magda’s idea of respecting infants and little humans as people from the beginning.

Now, Angela has been a director and head teacher at Little Angels Child Development for over 25 years. She earned her master’s degree in early childhood, and upholds quality standards by being NAFCC-accredited. A staunch advocate for children and education, Angela travels to state capitals and DC, and serves as a motivational speaker, using personal experiences and stories to inspire listeners to feel connected and share her passion.

Angela’s dedication to her work and mission has been recognized through many awards, at home and nationally:

● 2006: Named “Teacher of the Year” by the Terri Lynn Lockoff Tylenol Foundation

● 2007: Won the National Teacher Leadership award from NAFCC for her advocacy efforts

● 2008: Named Educator of the year by the PACCA (PA Child Care Association)

● 2019: Awarded the Teacher of the Year award from Terri Lynn Lockoff for the second time

● 2019: Inducted into the Early Education Hall of Heroes of Westchester County, NY by the Child Care Council of Westchester

Also a prolific writer, Angela is the author of “Journey of an Accredited Provider,” a personal look into her life, struggles and reality as an educator. The book gives a close insight into quality accreditation standards and how to fulfill them, and the appendix lists contracts, questionnaires and many more forms educators can use in their work. She has also authored articles in ECE magazines, including a January 2021 piece in Exchange entitled “Trauma Informed Care.”

Angela has presented at NAFCC national conferences for the last seven years, and at local and state conferences. She also works as a bilingual trainer/specialist and mentor for provider, has hosted countless parent workshops on various topics, and works as an independent consultant to local CCR’s to providers in New York.

In addition to coaching, consulting, being an educator and keynoting, Angela serves on the boards of several organizations. She is secretary for NYAEYC Region 3, President of Child Care Network of NY (a CACFP sponsoring agency), and a member at large for Family Child Care Association of NY.

Angela is the mother of five children: three adult sons and school-age twins. She lives in New York with her loving husband, Giovanni, her children, and their many fur and feathered babies.

She enjoys hiking, biking and camping with her family, listening to music, practicing yoga, and playing the piano.