Bio
Abby Andiman Mars has been immersed in the field of early childhood education for nearly two decades. Holding a master's degree in early childhood development from Pacific Oaks College, she currently serves as the Head of School at the Early Childhood Center of Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue in Los Angeles. Her doctoral pursuits are poised to delve into the impact of ethics of care leadership (ECL) and the identified ECL competencies that early childhood center (ECC) leaders rely on to navigate their interactions with adults—be it staff or families within the setting. Guided by the works of Carol Gilligan or Nel Nodding, her research aims to shed light on innate, intuited, or learned competencies. A native of Los Angeles, Abby is a proud alumna of Jewish day school and Camp Ramah. With her husband, Jonny, by her side for 28 years, Abby embraces the transition to becoming an empty nester this summer as her three young adult children, Eli, Nate, and Eva, embark on their own journeys.