My name is Shaquitta Ray, and I am passionate about advocating for and supporting high-quality care in early childhood education. I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and hold a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Early Childhood Education from the same institution. With over 18 years of experience in the field, I have had the privilege of working with children from infancy through school age. My career has included roles as a teacher and assistant director at high-quality childcare facilities located on military installations. For the past seven years, I have worked with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) in the Early Care and Education Division as a Childcare Licensing Specialist. During my time as a licensing specialist, I developed a strong passion for coaching and mentoring educators, which led me to become a certified trainer and technical assistance provider. I am committed to fostering collaborative relationships with childcare facilities and staff to support their professional growth and enhance the quality of care and education. I am excited to be a part of SC PITC, where I look forward to continuing my work to improve early childhood education in South Carolina. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends.