#211: All In for Early Learning with Dawn Montecalvo episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 10, 2025 · 32 MIN

#211: All In for Early Learning with Dawn Montecalvo

from The Everything ECE Podcast · host Carla Ward

In this powerful episode, Carla welcomes Dawn Montecalvo, CEO of the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee, Florida, to discuss what it really means to go all in when early learning is on the line. From shifting the educator mindset from “job” to “career” to reducing turnover through professional development and support, Dawn shares how her team is creating real, lasting change in a community with tremendous needs.We explore how strategic partnerships, intention in language, and reinforcing early childhood as a nonnegotiable investment are transforming outcomes—one child, one educator, one classroom at a time.If you believe early learning is more than a program—it’s a movement—you won’t want to miss this conversation.🎧 Dive in now and get inspired to go all in for early learning where you are.DAWN MONTECALVOFor more than two decades, Dawn Montecalvo has dedicated her career to expanding educational opportunities for underserved children in Southwest Florida. As President & CEO of Guadalupe Center since 2016, she has led the organization’s growth to serve over 2,000 students annually, expanding campuses, adding CCPS satellite locations, and strengthening philanthropic partnerships. Previously, she served as Executive Director of the Naples Children & Education Foundation and founded Montecalvo & Associates, helping nonprofits with fundraising and strategic development. A compassionate and visionary leader, Dawn unites donors, volunteers, and educators around a shared mission to create life-changing opportunities for generations of students.LINKS MENTIONED IN THE PODCASTGuadalupe Centre- www.guadalupecenter.org Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/guadalupe_center Youtube- https://www.youtube.com/@TheGuadalupeCenter All in for Early Learning- https://www.allinforearlylearning.com/ SUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week!CONNECT WITH CARLAEmail Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠The ECE Experience- LinkWebsite: www.carlatheece.comInstagram:  @carlatheece

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#211: All In for Early Learning with Dawn Montecalvo

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This episode was published on October 10, 2025.

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In this powerful episode, Carla welcomes Dawn Montecalvo, CEO of the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee, Florida, to discuss what it really means to go all in when early learning is on the line. From shifting the educator mindset from “job” to “career”...

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