Katherine Kicey holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University and has recently been endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Mentor in Research/Faculty. She has an extensive background in teaching young children, with a particular focus on infants and toddlers. Her experience spans various educational settings, including school districts and the Arizona State University Child Development Lab. Katherine has worked with a diverse range of children, including those in Title One schools, second language learners, home visiting programs, and inclusive classrooms. 

Katherine has dedicated much of her career to improving the lives of children from birth to five years old. She has played a key role in the First Things First grant initiative, where she collaborated with and trained early childhood providers, specifically those working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Her work in this area has centered on play and relationship-based teaching practices, involving observations and coaching in child care and Headstart centers across Arizona. 

In addition to her teaching and coaching roles, Katherine has facilitated community professional development for the infant and toddler workforce. She also serves as the Advocacy Chair for the Arizona Infant and Toddler Mental Health Coalition, where she actively contributes to advancing the field of infant and toddler mental health. 

Currently, Katherine is actively engaged in the Early Childhood Studies program, with a primary focus on elevating the early childhood profession. She is committed to empowering online students as they engage in coursework and gain practical experience working with young children aged 0-5 years who have not yet entered kindergarten. Katherine’s teaching philosophy emphasizes relationship and play-based methods, fostering strong connections with her students and the broader community to advance the field of early childhood education.