Kelly Dotson

Senior Site Director – Rosenberg Early Childhood Center

Youth & Family

Kelly has been at Rosenberg since 2013. In 2018 she was promoted to Senior Site Director for the JCCSF ECE Programs where she oversees professional development, policies and procedures for all three sites. Kelly began her career in Early Childhood Education as a kindergarten aide during her senior year of high school and since then has held numerous positions within the field.  She earned her Masters of Arts in Early Childhood Education Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College at Columbia University, and her Bachelors of Arts in Child and Family Development from Bowling Green State University.

Kelly believes that children learn through active engagement with the environment and that children’s spaces should be set up with intention and be authentic to their daily lives. Children should be given choices to learn how to make decisions that best support themselves. Teachers set up classrooms and create opportunities for children to build relationships, but it’s the child that should be seen and heard. Kelly embraces the Reggio philosophy because of their Image of the Child as a powerful and curious being and the Role of the Teacher as a researcher, observer, and guide of learning. Kelly grew up in Ohio, gradually made her way out west and has lived in San Francisco since 1998. She can be found in the city hanging out with her son, seeing live music and having lots of fun with her friends.