#TopNotchVillage

THE VILLAGE BLOG

The Power Went Out... The Energy Didn’t in Manassas, VA

Yesterday, the energy was OFF THE CHARTS when I had the pleasure of partnering with Prince William County Public Schools Preschool Programs for their 3rd Annual Preschool Institute (PSI)! The moment I entered the building, I was greeted by a spirit tunnel that made me feel like a guest on the Jennifer Hudson Show! But that greeting wasn’t just for me. Every preschool teacher and service provider who walked through those doors was welcomed with that same celebration. Before th

Be the Light—Right Down to Her Fingertips in Muskogee, OK

Yesterday, I spent four hours with Muskogee County Head Start/Early Head Start, and from the moment I entered the room, they felt like home and a warm hug. Listening to them speak about their mission, their hopes for the children and families they serve, and the responsibility they feel to help children and families WIN poured directly into my soul. Then, I watched them make the work their own. They designed Top-Notch Village™ ecosystems, identified the people surrounding chi

When the Mission Becomes a Song in Muskogee, OK

A Top-Notch Village™ is, by definition, a mission-aligned village. When I work with agencies, one of the things we often discuss is how we can become more mission-aligned and operate under one shared mission to support healthy outcomes for children and families. I suggest that a mission should be simple enough to be understood by children, families, and new team members, and it should answer the question: Why do we exist? Every decision should be made with that mission in min

When the Work Leaves the Room in Chicago, IL

Today, I had the honor of serving as the morning keynote speaker for Start Early’s Early Learning Network (ELN) 2026 Pre-Service Professional Development Conference in Chicago, Illinois. I shared From Acorn to Mighty, Mighty Oak Tree™, a story rooted in human development, collective responsibility, and the conditions that help children maximize their personal potential. While the story is mine, the human experiences woven through it belong to so many people. Some hear themsel

ABOUT THE VILLAGE BLOG

The Village Blog is a living record of engagement strategy in action.

Here, I share field stories, practical strategies, and original frameworks from my work with Head Start programs, school districts, community action agencies, and child- and family-service organizations across the country.

Each post explores how adults can strengthen relationships, become mission-aligned, and show up well for children and families. I work with adults and work for children—because every child deserves to be loved and cared for well.

Raising Superman

Raising Superman is co-authored by Dr. El and her son, Ricky II. Together, they weave their voices into one story that highlights the three characters of a Top-Notch Village: the child, the family, and the village members.

The book gives families and village members tips and strategies drawn directly from Dr. El’s Village Engagement Matrix™—a framework designed to help both work together so that children have every opportunity to maximize their personal potential.

At its core, Raising Superman shows what becomes possible when children grow up surrounded by belief in themselves, a positive identity, and a village committed to turning dreams into reality.