Melissa Donovan
Lindstrom
Summary
Results-driven education specialist with several years of experience focused on enhancing child development with a motivational and encouraging approach, highly intuitive regarding different behavioral concerns and strategies for addressing issues via customized lesson plans. Dedicated to cultivating orderly, calm, and supportive environments to promote learning and adaptation. With knowledge of curriculum development and instructional resources. Proven success in statewide training, technical assistance, curriculum implementation, and community engagement, with a strong focus on equity and continuous quality improvement.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Education Specialist & Training Strategist
Center for Early Education and Development
Minneapolis
08.2022 - Current
- Company Overview: University of Minnesota
- Lead statewide professional development initiatives for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), supporting trainers, RBPD specialists, and early childhood leaders.
- Provide consultation and technical assistance to ensure alignment with Minnesota early learning legislation and the PreK–3rd Grade Framework.
- Design culturally responsive outreach strategies to expand training and credentialing access for rural and BIPOC early childhood professionals.
- Evaluate program effectiveness using qualitative and quantitative data, applying continuous quality improvement methods to enhance outcomes.
- Collaborate with DHS, higher education, and community providers to strengthen mixed-delivery system supports.
- University of Minnesota
Training Specialist & Community Liaison
Helping Hands Training & Childcare Services
Chisago County & Twin Cities Metro
06.2016 - Current
- Designed and facilitated training sessions for educators across rural and urban Minnesota, aligned with Minnesota early learning standards.
- Supported interagency collaboration among child care, public health, and family support services.
- Guided educators through career advancement pathways, credentialing systems, and public program navigation.
- Specialized in outreach and engagement with immigrant, Indigenous, and multilingual populations.
President (Board Leadership Role)
Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children
06.2022 - 06.2024
- Chaired a statewide board during organizational rebuilding, restoring governance and clarifying strategic goals.
- Strengthened partnerships with community organizations, state departments, and advocacy coalitions to advance early learning quality and access.
- Served as liaison to NAEYC, ensuring alignment with national priorities, including equity and professional recognition.
- Elevated member voice, re-established communication systems, and increased transparency across the association.
Director of Early Childhood Education
Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
Minneapolis
02.2021 - 11.2022
- Directed operations of a culturally responsive, NAEYC-accredited center serving predominantly Black and Brown families.
- Ensured compliance with MN Rule 3, curriculum standards, and assessment practices.
- Built partnerships with schools, Head Start, and community agencies to enhance wraparound services and family engagement.
- Implemented program improvements guided by data analysis, staff input, and family feedback.
Education
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Early Childhood Teaching & Instruction
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA01.2020
Bachelor of Science -
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA01.2015
Skills
- Program evaluation
- Curriculum design
- Data analysis
- Cultural responsiveness
- Technical assistance
- Interagency collaboration
- Program Evaluation
- Continuous Quality Improvement
- Training
- Technical Assistance
- Professional Development
- Mixed-Delivery System Collaboration
- Project Management
- Statewide Event Coordination
- Curriculum Implementation
- Community-Centered Leadership
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Policy Alignment
- Smartsheet
- Microsoft 365
- Google Workspace
- Zoom
- LMS
- Canva
- Develop Tool (MN)
Certification
- Reflective Supervision & Consultation Certificate, CEED – University of Minnesota
- Relationship-Based Professional Development Specialist, RBPD
- Project Management Certificate – University of Minnesota
- Train-the-Trainer Certificate – University of Minnesota
- Certified Course Writer and Trainer – Minnesota Center for Professional Development
- Equity Certificate Hosted Online (ECHO) – University of Minnesota
Leadership And Community Engagement
- Facilitator, Developing Empathy to Promote Equity (Statewide DEI training series)
- Event Coordinator, Annual Spring Gathering for Early Educators and Leaders
- Former School Board Member, ISD2144 Chisago Lakes Public Schools (2018–2020)
Timeline
Education Specialist & Training Strategist
Center for Early Education and Development
08.2022 - Current
President (Board Leadership Role)
Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children
06.2022 - 06.2024
Director of Early Childhood Education
Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
02.2021 - 11.2022
Training Specialist & Community Liaison
Helping Hands Training & Childcare Services
06.2016 - Current
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Early Childhood Teaching & Instruction
Liberty University
Bachelor of Science -
Liberty University