Chris Jackson
Chris has been an early childhood practitioner and advocate for over 30 years, providing services as a preschool teacher, special educator, trainer, community college lecturer, consultant, and Head Start administrator. In her current position as the Hawaii Head Start Collaboration Director, Chris is actively involved in early childhood systems-building to increase access to comprehensive services and supports for low-income children and families, in promoting partnerships between Head Start and other entities, and in facilitating Head Start’s involvement in the development of State policies and plans affecting low-income children and families. In addition, Chris also serves as a resource and support to the 6 Hawaii Head Start/Early Head Start Directors and is a link between the federal Office of Head Start and the State.
Chris is a member of the Early Learning Council which was created in statute in 2008 and recently designated as the State’s Early Learning Advisory Council through an Executive Order in April 2011. She also sits on a number of other Councils and Committees to promote systems-work around advocacy, professional development and direct services. In 2003-2004, she served as Co-Chair of the Good Beginnings Oahu Council, with membership on GBOC beginning in 1997.
Chris received her Baccalaureate degree from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and her Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Hawaii-Manoa. During the period between earning her degrees, Chris spent two years in the Philippines as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
