September 9, 2024 – Kathleen Keisha R. Constantino is building the future workforce as Assistant Professor of Family Life and Child Development at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. With a specialization in early childhood development, governance, and policy, Kathleen has established herself as an expert in her field. Since completing her fellowship in 2022, Kathleen has seized every opportunity to connect with professionals from all over the world, fostering valuable collaborations and broadening her network. These collaborations have provided her with invaluable insights and perspectives, greatly enhancing her understanding of the field. Through this experience, she has not only grown her professional network but has also gained a newfound confidence when interacting with experienced professionals.
Kathleen’s decision to join ECDAN’s Knowledge Fellow program was driven by her strong desire to connect with experienced mentors in the field.
I was particularly interested in gaining insights and guidance in areas like policy and program administration. I was immediately captivated by the program’s unwavering dedication to promoting evidence-based practices and fostering a vibrant exchange of knowledge among stakeholders.
She firmly believes that this powerful combination is the key to unlocking effective interventions in early childhood development.
Kathleen’s participation in the Knowledge Fellows program has been a game-changer for her and the knowledge product she developed, the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Responsiveness Local Government Unit Assessment Tool (ERLAT), has been successfully utilized in a funded extension project by her department, enabling local government units to effectively assess their ECCD responsiveness during challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This tool has empowered countless communities to make informed decisions and take proactive measures, ensuring the well-being of their constituents. The city government of Muntinlupa has greatly improved its ECCD services as a result, and it now has the ability to seamlessly integrate ECCD into its local development plans.
Kathleen has successfully utilized the resources and connections she gained through the fellowship program to propel her upcoming endeavors. She has been actively collaborating on research projects, seamlessly integrating new learning into her teaching, and successfully securing grants to bolster the expansion of her work. Her determination and strategic approach have paved the way for her continued success. Keep your eye on Kathleen to witness her future accomplishments and contributions.
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This is the third entry in the “From Learning to Leading” blog series profiling former Knowledge Fellows to discover where their journey has taken them.