Arlene Paxton is the director of two major projects at WestEd, the Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) Regional Support Network, and San Francisco Quality Connections, Quality Improvement System. Both projects aim to increase the capacity and improve the quality of early care and education services through the delivery of training and technical assistance, whether on-site or online.
Paxton collaborates with the California Department of Education Early Learning and Care Division on the implementation of the PITC Regional Support Network activities, and participates on statewide leadership teams and advisory groups. She has led initiatives in California and other states, working closely with representatives from universities, First 5, Educare Learning Network, departments of education, and county offices of education to design training systems that support the professional development of early educators serving children birth to three, and their families.
Prior to joining WestEd, Paxton was responsible for the coordination and implementation of a citywide early literacy project initiated by the mayor’s office in Oakland, CA. She also has several years experience working in Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Oakland, CA.
Paxton received a bachelor’s degree in early childhood development from Humboldt State University and a master’s degree in human development from Pacific Oaks College.