Tal Ben-Ami

Located in: Fresno,  California
Early Head Start Region: 9
Job Title: Infant/Toddler Specialist regional coordinator

CA County: Fresno
Email: tbenami@wested.org

Tal Ben-Ami joined WestEd in 2008 as the Infant/Toddler Specialist Coordinator for PITC Partners for Quality in Region VII, Fresno and Madera counties. In her role, she works collaboratively with the Central Valley Children’s Services Network and with First 5 Fresno to advocate, train, support and provide guidance to programs serving children from birth to three years old.
Tal has been active in the field of education since 1975. Her early work included practice in an early education system in a Kibbutz in Israel in which the philosophy closely matches the PITC essential policies: small groups, primary caregiving, individualized and inclusive care, culturally responsive care with close relationships and integral involvement of families.
Tal earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Sociology at the University of Bar Illan in Israel and became a counselor for troubled youth in her community. She went on to earn her teaching credential and eventually become an elementary school teacher of grades three through seven while also participating on several educational and cultural committees.

After immigrating to the United States in 1997 and before joining WestEd, Tal worked as the Director of Programming and Curriculum for a local family-owned chain of eleven childcare centers located throughout the Fresno, Clovis and Madera areas. During this time, she graduated from California State University, Fresno with a Master’s degree in early childhood education.