In the latest spotlight of a monthly series highlighting Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) community members and their work, meet Shawn M. Bryant, who serves as director of training, impact, and evaluation for the Climate of Healthy Interactions for Learning & Development (CHILD) program at the YCSC.
How long have you been at Yale, and what roles have you filled in this time?
3.5 years – I started as program administrator, now director of training, impact, and evaluation for the CHILD program.
What led you to your current job?
The CHILD project centers equity and reducing the suspension rate for preschool children through helping adults change the climates they create for themselves and young children. The mission aligns with my core values.
What is a work-related accomplishment that made you feel proud?
Assisting states in CHILD usage, sustainability and creating systems while elevating dispositions surrounding early childhood mental health consultation.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Nurturing, Authentic, Innovative
What is an accomplishment you are proud of outside of work/your current job?
Authoring Trauma Informed Practices for Early Childhood Educators: Relationship-Based Approaches that Reduce Stress, Build Resilience and Support Healing in Young Children and co-authoring Trauma Responsive Family Engagement in Early Childhood: Practices for Equity and Resilience.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
The planet Pandora or Wakanda.
What would you like to share that might surprise your colleagues?
I have over 55,000 songs in my music library.
This spotlight series is a spin-off of a similar effort launched in 2023 to feature integrated business operations (IBO) and administration staff at the Yale Child Study Center (YCSC), Department of Psychiatry, and Department of Pediatrics, All in the YCSC community are welcome (and encouraged) to nominate colleagues for this new spotlight series. Self-nominations are welcome.