Meet our CEO & Founder
AUDREY ROWLAND
As a professional speaker, Audrey’s goal is to make early childhood research and best practices accessible to all while providing practical applications teachers can implement right away in their classrooms.
Audrey is passionate about protecting childhood through play and is working to create a culture where children are respected and accepted. “When we change the way we see children, we change the way we lead, teach, advocate, and build communities. Protecting childhood begins with respecting the humanity of every child.”
Audrey Rowland is the Founder and CEO of Green Space Learning and serves as Board President of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (Texas AEYC). A nationally recognized early childhood leader, speaker, and consultant, Audrey has spent more than two decades partnering with educators, administrators, and organizations to strengthen leadership, cultivate healthy workplace cultures, and elevate the quality of early learning experiences.
At the heart of Audrey’s work is a deep commitment to respecting and protecting childhood. She believes that how we view children shapes every aspect of our programs, policies, and practices. Through her speaking, consulting, and advocacy, Audrey challenges leaders to shift attitudes from managing children to understanding them, from compliance to connection, and from control to relationship-centered approaches that honor children’s dignity, competence, and humanity.
Known for her engaging and thought-provoking presentations, Audrey combines research, practical application, and real-world leadership experience to inspire meaningful change. Her work helps organizations build cultures where children are respected, educators are valued, and families are welcomed as essential partners.
Audrey holds a Master of Science in Child Development from the University of North Texas and an MBA from Texas Woman’s University, bringing together deep expertise in child development, organizational leadership, and business strategy. This unique combination allows her to bridge the science of child development with the practical realities of leading sustainable, high-quality organizations.
Audrey’s mission is to cultivate courageous leadership, transform the way we think about children, and create communities where every child can experience the joy, wonder, belonging, and protection that childhood deserves.
Live Virtual Training - June 16 and 18
This comprehensive Train the Trainer course is designed for early childhood professionals who are ready to take the next step in their careers as professional development providers. Aligned with the Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System (TECPDS), this course prepares participants to apply for recognition on the Texas Trainer Registry.
Director Training Series Catalog
Sustainable Child Care Leadership: Growth, Quality & Profitability in a Challenging Economy
This live virtual training series is designed for child care administrators who need practical, realistic strategies to stabilize enrollment, support staff, and manage increasing demands—without burnout.
Publications
Rowland, A. (2011). Positive discipline? Positively. Cook Children’s: We do it all for kids.
Speaking Highlights
Whether you’re planning a conference, training summit, or staff development day, Audrey will energize your audience with fresh insights on child development, play-based learning, inclusive classrooms, and the vital role of educators in the early years.
Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast
Why We Need to Change How We Talk About Childhood
In this episode, Ann McKitrick sits down with Audrey Rowland, founder of Green Space Learning and president of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, to explore the biases we often hold against childhood.
Request Audrey
Elevate your next professional development event with a dynamic keynote speaker who brings passion, expertise, and real-world experience in early childhood education.
