Our Story: Supporting Early Learning in Alliance, Ohio

Since 2006, the Early Childhood Education Alliance (ECEA) has walked alongside families in Alliance, Ohio, offering trusted support during the most critical years of a child’s life. As a nonprofit rooted in the community, our mission is simple: to give every child a strong start and every family the support they need to thrive.

We work in partnership with local schools, childcare providers, and community organizations – like Alliance, Marlington, and Sebring school districts and Rodman Public Library – to offer high-quality early learning programs, free family events, and access to vital school readiness resources.

ECEA proudly leads SPARK, a free, in-home kindergarten readiness program that helps children grow academically, socially, and emotionally through personalized, play-based learning.

Grounded in research and guided by compassion, our work reflects the belief that early experiences shape lifelong outcomes. We listen, support, and open doors – because no family should navigate early childhood alone.

The Early Childhood Education Alliance’s mission is to support, promote, and create dynamic early learning environments that serve young children and benefit families, schools, businesses, and the broader community through education and advocacy. Our goal is to ensure that all children in Alliance have access to joyful, developmentally appropriate early learning experiences that build confidence, spark curiosity, and support long-term success.

Our Team:

Passionate Leaders in Early Learning and Family Support

  • Liz Hibbs

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Liz Hibbs serves as the Executive Director of the Early Childhood Education Alliance (ECEA), where she leads with heart, vision, and an unwavering commitment to early childhood success. Under her leadership, the SPARK program (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids) has expanded across Alliance, Sebring, and Marlington, providing high-quality, home-based kindergarten readiness programming to families across the region.

    With more than 20 years of experience in education, Liz brings both depth and innovation to her work. She holds master’s degrees in Educational Administration, Technology, and Curriculum and Instruction, and is currently pursuing her Doctorate at Youngstown State University. In 2020, Liz was honored to participate in Groundwork Ohio’s inaugural Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship, working alongside fellow changemakers and legislators to strengthen early learning policy at the state and federal levels.

    Beyond her professional work, Liz is a proud wife and mother. She and her husband, Jesse, have been married for 21 years and have two daughters. Her mother, Patricia, also resides in their home – making family a central part of her life, just as it is in her work. Liz believes deeply in ECEA’s mission to educate, advocate, and collaborate on behalf of young children and families, ensuring every child has access to meaningful early learning experiences.


  • Kelly Anstine

    SPARK PARENT PARTNER

    Kelly Anstine has been a SPARK Parent Partner with ECEA for over six years, bringing warmth, experience, and a strong commitment to helping children thrive. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Stark State College and has known since high school that her passion lies in supporting children's growth and learning.

    An invested wife and mother, Kelly and her husband of 13 years have six children between the ages of 5 and 20, including two they've had custody of for the past five years. Their home is also filled with four furry companions – two dogs and two cats. Kelly loves spending quality time with her family, going on new adventures, and making lasting memories. She values the opportunity to partner with families and help build strong foundations for lifelong learning.


  • Kim Spears

    SPARK PARENT PARTNER

    Kim Spears brings more than 35 years of early childhood education experience to her role as a SPARK Parent Partner. Since joining ECEA in 2017, she has provided compassionate, play-based learning support to young children and their families through home-based visits.

    Kim holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies, and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, which she proudly earned in 2022. She is the mother of two adult children, a dog lover, and a devoted grandmother to two “grandcats.” Kim enjoys gardening, scrapbooking, singing, and spending time with loved ones. She believes deeply in the power of hands-on learning and loves incorporating music and movement into her lessons to help children explore and succeed.

  • Camden Nicholson

    SPARK PARENT PARTNER

    Camden Nicholson is the newest member of the ECEA team, serving as a SPARK Parent Partner in his hometown of Alliance, Ohio. A recent graduate of Kent State University at Stark with an Associate of Applied Science Degree, Camden is passionate about education and creating a positive impact in his community.

    In addition to his work with ECEA, Camden serves as a substitute teacher and staff member for the Alliance City School District’s Summer Explorers and Navigators programs. Through SPARK, he partners with families to help children grow academically, socially, and emotionally in preparation for kindergarten. With a kind and supportive approach, Camden is committed to helping the next generation of learners reach their full potential.

Our Board:

Strategic Champions for Early Learning in Alliance, Ohio

  • Mark Black

    Mark Black is the Chief Organizational Impact Officer and Title IX Administrator at the University of Mount Union. With a background in educational leadership and equity, Mark brings a wealth of experience to the ECEA board, including prior roles as a school principal, district administrator, and executive director in urban education settings. He holds degrees from Mount Union, the University of Akron, and Ashland University, along with additional leadership training from the University of Virginia. Mark is an active community volunteer and advocate for equity in education, and he values the opportunity to support young learners and their families through ECEA’s work.

  • Janet Mackall

    Janet Mackall is a newly appointed board member of the ECEA, representing the Alliance City School District. She serves as the Director of Special Education, advocating for high-quality educational support for all students. Mrs. Mackall has a 26-year background in education that includes serving as an intervention specialist with SCESC, leading initiatives as a K-12 school administrator for New Philadelphia City Schools, and teaching as an adjunct professor at Walsh University. She joined Alliance City Schools in July 2025. A proud mother of four, she balances her career with a love for the outdoors. She and her husband enjoy activities like gardening, kayaking, hiking, and boating.

  • Adam De Monte

    Adam De Monte is the principal of Alliance Preschool and brings firsthand knowledge of early childhood education to his role on the ECEA board. With a career in Alliance City Schools spanning over a decade, Adam has served as a preschool teacher, assistant principal, and now leads the district’s preschool programs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood intervention and a master’s in educational administration, both from Walsh University. Adam lives in Alliance with his wife, Audrey, and their three young sons, and is passionate about creating strong foundations for children and families in the community.

  • Kathy Kramer

    Kathy Kramer brings over 36 years of experience in early childhood and special education to the ECEA board. A dedicated educator, she taught preschool, kindergarten, first grade, and special education throughout her career. A resident of Alliance for over 50 years, Kathy has been deeply involved in the community, serving on boards including the Alliance Area Domestic Violence Shelter, Union Avenue UMC Preschool, and the Stuckey Interfaith Child Development Center. She has also devoted time to tutoring young children. Kathy was appointed to the ECEA board by the Mayor of Alliance and is honored to continue supporting the development and well-being of local children and families.

  • Abby Schroeder

    Abby Schroeder is the director of the Regula Center at the University of Mount Union, where she leads campus-wide community service initiatives, coordinates impactful experiential learning and travel opportunities for students, and oversees programming at the Alliance Commons. Deeply passionate about literacy and early education, Abby believes every child deserves access to high-quality experiences that spark curiosity and foster lifelong learning. A proud graduate of the University of Mount Union and Cleveland State University, she is committed to building connections between the university and the broader community. Abby lives in Alliance with her husband and their two children and is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of families throughout the area.

  • AnnaMae Searfoss

    AnnaMae Searfoss brings over four decades of experience in education to the ECEA board. A lifelong advocate for literacy, she taught in Alliance City Schools for 41 years before retiring and now works part-time providing reading intervention for children. AnnaMae earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Mount Union and a master’s degree in reading from Kent State University. A resident of Alliance, she and her husband, John, have two adult children, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Appointed to the ECEA board as a community representative, AnnaMae understands first-hand the impact of quality early childhood education on lifelong learning. She is honored to help ensure that children and families in Alliance receive the strong foundation they need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.

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