Joyfully Engaged Learning

a nonprofit supporting early learning programs in their pursuit of NAEYC accreditation

Our Vision

To increase the number of affordable, high-quality early learning seats in all  75 counties of Arkansas through the achievement and maintenance of NAEYC accreditation by early learning programs.

Meet the Board of Directors

  • Mary-Lee Smith

    Chair

    Executive Director, Renew America Together

  • Eric Reece

    Vice-Chair

    State Director, Human Rights Campaign

  • Laura Hum

    Secretary

    Retired Early Childhood Educator and Mother of 4

  • Bryan Scanlon

    Treasurer

    Managing Director, Stephens Inc.

  • Jordan Rhodes

    Board Member

    Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Glimpse Guides + Goods

    Founder, Give a Glimpse

Meet Our Executive Director

Leigh S. Keener is a native of Little Rock. She is a graduate of both Little Rock Central High (1999), and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (2004), and she earned her Certificate in Early Education Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education (2021). Most recently, she graduated in the inaugural class of the Civility Leadership Institute (2022) and led her school through NAEYC accreditation. She has worked in both the public and private sectors before founding Joyfully Engaged Learning. 

Keener is a life-long learner as evident through multiple certifications, including Little Rock School District/University of Arkansas Cyber Teacher (2006), National Board Certification (2007), Google Certified Trainer (2018), Verifier and Influence Training Certificate (2022), and Crucial Conversations Certificate (2022).

Keener was named Forest Park PTA Teacher of the Year (2008), received the Central Arkansas Safety Town’s Key to the City (2019), was named the Jackson T. Stephens Outstanding Faculty Member (2020), was named the first education honoree of Inviting Arkansas’s Women in STEAM (2021), and was inducted into the Secretary Rodney Slater Leadership Society by Renew America Together (2023).

She currently serves on the Arkansas State Board of Education and on the Arkansas Imagination Library Board of Directors. 

Keener lives and works in Little Rock with her husband, Justin, and their 3 children - Laura Beth and Harrison (twins), and Luke.