Taundwa Jeffries

Executive Director

Head Start Collaboration Office (Virginia Department of Education)

Taundwa Jeffries serves as the executive director of the Head Start Collaboration Office for the Virginia Department of Education. With a remarkable tenure spanning 20 years in the Head Start program, Taundwa brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this vital role within the Division of Early Childhood Care and Education. In a range of diverse roles within the Head Start community and as a former Kindergarten educator, Taundwa quickly developed a deep passion for working with young children and their families. The hands-on experience as an educator provided invaluable insights into the developmental needs of children and the importance of creating a nurturing and stimulating learning environment. This foundational experience laid the groundwork for her future endeavors in early childhood education for state government.

Under Taundwa Jeffries’s guidance, the Head Start Collaboration Office continues to make significant strides in advancing the mission of Head Start. The vision for the future includes expanded access to comprehensive services, enhanced program quality, and increased professional development supports for educators. By forging strong collaborative partnerships and key systems building, she is working to create a brighter future for Virginia’s children and families.

• Former Early Head Start-Head Start parent

• Bachelor of Science- Liberal Arts

• Excelsior College (Albany, New York)

• Master of Education- Curriculum and Instruction

• Averett University (Danville, Virginia)