Our beginning

In 2000, Bruce and Jolene McCaw, as new parents, found themselves searching for information about parenting. The McCaws learned that researchers had vital information about how babies and young children think, feel, and learn. However, they saw a substantial gap between what scientists know and what parents practice. They also saw an opportunity to bridge this gap by translating the knowledge into usable information for parents and caregivers. As a result, the McCaws established the Talaris Research Institute (now known as the Talaris Institute) in 2000.

The early years

Inspired by the work of University of Washington molecular biologist John Medina, Ph.D., the McCaws invited him to serve as the Founding Director of Talaris. Dr. Medina’s academic work explored a “brain friendly” educational system in which the science of learning is combined with the practice of learning. Dr. Medina served as the Executive Director of Talaris from 2000 to 2003.

Initially, Talaris strove to achieve its mission by advancing brain science to all who nurture children. It sponsored early childhood development research initiatives led by some of the preeminent researchers in the field. It launched what is now known as the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences (ILABS) at the University of Washington as well as the Bringing Baby Home project at the Relationship Research Institute in Seattle.

From research to practice: Parenting Counts

In 2003, with a new Executive Director, Terry Meersman, Talaris began to develop a more refined focus on the parent-child relationship and aligned its work with major partners such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the State of Washington. Talaris also began to build a strong product partnership with PBS stations across the country with the brand name “Parenting Counts: A Focus on Early Learning.” This multimedia parenting education program featured one-minute television spots that aired nationally and companion workshops for parents. The spots focused on social and emotional development in the first years of life. Small grants to participating PBS stations and the Boeing Company’s in-kind printing support helped disseminate these products though community partners. The Parenting Counts products grew in depth of research and in sophistication as communications tools for a larger number of parent-serving organizations. At the same time, Talaris partnered with the Gates Foundation and the State of Washington to launch a major public-private partnership for early learning named Thrive by Five and helped establish a new Department of Early Learning for the state. The combination of high-quality products for parents and strong partnerships continues to characterize Talaris work.

Talaris today

Today, Talaris continues to expand Parenting Counts nationally and to develop additional programs that will support parents and caregivers in the healthy social and emotional development of children ages birth through five. Katie Simons is the new Executive Director and Bruce and Jolene McCaw serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of the board of directors and primary benefactors of Talaris.

Talaris Institute, located in Seattle, WA, works to support parents and caregivers in raising socially and emotionally healthy children.

Talaris was founded in 2000 by Bruce and Jolene McCaw. Based on their own experiences as new parents, the McCaw’s saw an opportunity to help other parents with up-to-date, research-based information, after hearing a speech by University of Washington molecular biologist, John Medina, Ph.D. Dr. Medina’s presentation outlined what he saw as a “brain friendly” educational system, combining the science of learning with the practice of learning. He reasoned that focusing on how babies and children think and feel would provide insight into our innate learning capabilities. That in turn would begin to reaffirm and re-imagine parenting and educational practices. Dr. Medina became Talaris’s Founding Director, serving in that capacity for five years.

Recognizing that a substantial gap exists between what scientists know and what parents practice, Talaris has adopted a programmatic approach to translate scientific knowledge into tools for parents and other caregivers. At the core of all of Talaris’s work is the mission of advancing knowledge of early childhood learning and the importance of parenting.

In 2004, Talaris, in partnership with KCTS-TV/Seattle, developed the “Parenting Counts: A Focus on Early Learning” program for PBS stations across the country. This multi-media parenting education program features one-minute television spots and companion workshops for parents, which are being delivered in nearly 50 communities around the country. Parenting Counts topics focus on social and emotional development in the first years of life. The workshop programs provide parents with a better understanding of early childhood social, emotional and cognitive development, as well as supportive, practical tips for enhancing the parent-child relationship.

Talaris continues to work to expand Parenting Counts nationally, as well as to develop additional programs that support parents and caregivers.

As President Emeritus of Washington State University (WSU) and chair of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges Board of Directors for 2000, Sam brings to Talaris a world of experience and many contacts in the field of education.

Sam Smith has enjoyed a distinguished career in higher education, first on the faculty of the University of California at Berkeley, then at Pennsylvania State University. He served 15 years (July 1, 1985 – June 8, 2000) as president of WSU, the eighth leader of the institution in its 110-year history.

Under his leadership, WSU grew in size and stature. Its teaching, research, and public service activities received worldwide recognition. Strengthening undergraduate and graduate education, placing an international imprint on programs, and increasing opportunities for women and minorities were among his presidential priorities.

In the state of Washington, Sam is well known for establishing WSU branch campuses in Spokane, the Tri-Cities, and Vancouver to serve place-bound and job-bound students. Learning centers and award-winning Extended Degree Programs have further expanded access to WSU. More than one-third of all WSU graduates — since the University’s first commencement in 1897 — had their academic degrees granted by him.

Under his leadership, Campaign WSU, the University’s first comprehensive fund-raising effort, attracted $275.4 million in private support, substantially over its $250 million goal. The campaign transformed WSU’s ability to serve students and the state of Washington by supporting scholarships, faculty recruitment and retention, learning technology, and statewide education.

His recognition as a national leader in distance education is reflected by his service as a member of the Board of Trustees of Western Governor’s University, of which WSU is a founding member.

In addition to chairing the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) Board of Directors, his leadership positions with the Association have included serving as chair of both the NASULGC Council of Presidents and its Commission on Information Technologies. NASULGC is the nation’s oldest higher education association.

Sam also served on the Kellogg Commission on the Future of the State and Land-Grant Universities. Created by NASULGC, the commission planned for change and improvement of state universities and land-grant colleges for this century.

In 1998, he was honored at the NASULGC annual meeting as the Justin Smith Morrill Memorial lecturer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and NASULGC give the lectureship award once every three years. It honors outstanding contemporary leadership in teaching and significant contributions as an educator in promoting the land-grant tradition of the “liberal and practical education of all people.”

Sam’s background includes serving as chair of the Executive Committee of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. He became active in the NCAA when he was elected as the Division I representative to the President’s Commission. He later was elected chair of the commission and then was elected chair of the Executive Committee, the NCAA’s newly formed primary governing body, and served in that capacity until completion of his term.

He has been honored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District VIII with its Leadership Award for “qualities beyond leadership” that enabled WSU to “dramatically change course, chart a new vision, and exceed even its own expectations” in serving students.

Before his association with WSU, Dr. Smith served 16 years at Penn State, initially as a faculty member, then department head, and finally, Dean of the College of Agriculture and director of both the Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station.

A native of Salinas, California, he holds bachelor and doctoral degrees in plant pathology from the University of California at Berkeley and honorary doctoral degrees from Nihon University in Tokyo, Japan, Western Governors University  and Far Eastern State University in Vladivostok, Russia.

Richard N. Brandon, Ph.D. is Senior Research Fellow at the Evans School of Public Affairs, and directs the University of Washington’s Human Services Policy Center (HSPC). Before joining the UW in 1989, Dr. Brandon served 15 years as professional staff member and staff director of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee. Prior to that he directed systems analysis and budgeting for the New York City Department of Mental Health. He also has been a consultant on a variety of human service and financing issues, to state and local governments, the American Association for Retired Persons and the Carnegie Commission on Science, Technology and Government.

Major HSPC projects under Dr. Brandon’s direction include: Financing Universal Access to Early Care and Education (ECE) for America’s Children, which developed a computerized policy simulation model, and has been helping leaders in several states explore different methods of providing financial access to high quality ECE for all families; the Education Finance Modeling Project, which is helping state educational leaders to explore the costs of alternative approaches to providing all children effective education from preschool through high school; Washington Kids Count, which works to improve policies for children and families by analyzing data on the well-being of children and stimulating communities to develop local action agendas.

Dr. Robin E. Cole has been practicing medicine at the Seattle Women’s Clinic since 1987. Robin received a masters degree in genetics before completing medical school and an OB/GYN residency at the University of Washington. She was named one of Seattle’s Best Doctors in 2000, and has a special interest in high-risk obstetrics, adolescent medicine and menopause.

Robin balances time between her private practice and teaching in the University of Washington’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is a member and past president of the Seattle Gynecology Society, and frequently speaks to students and local media on women’s health issues. As a board member of the Kodiak Club and gynecology consultant with the Woodland Park Zoo, Robin’s professional experience also includes the delivery of a baby gorilla.

Jack Faris, Ph.D.  is a consultant to the Rural Development Institute, Swedish Hospital and other clients.

Dr. Faris earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He was an associate professor with tenure at Towson University in Maryland until returning to Seattle in 1985 to join the advertising agency Cole & Weber in 1985. He was team leader for the Boeing advertising account for 12 years and was executive vice president and general manager of the agency. In 1999 he became director of community strategies for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and participated in the launch of the foundation’s global health initiatives. In 2000 Dr. Faris was appointed vice president for University Relations at the University of Washington. He served as president of the Washington Biotechnologg and Biomedical Association from 2005 to 2008.

Dr. Faris also serves on the advisory board of the Seattle Children’s Research Institute and the steering committee of Foster Promise, a consotrium working to improve the quality of foster care across the state.

Dr. Faris has served on the Talaris advisory board since 2005. He counsels Talaris on issues related to marketing and advertising, literacy and creating a culture of learning.

Dr. Danette Swanson Glassy is a primary care pediatrician working and living on Mercer Island, Washington. Danette attended the University of Washington School of Medicine, and completed her residency at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle. She has been practicing medicine in the Seattle area for 14 years.

Danette is a dedicated advocate for children’s issues, locally and nationally. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Early Childhood, Adoption, and Dependent Care, and the chair of the AAP’s Special Interest Group in Child Care. She previously served as the president of the Washington Chapter of the AAP, and is currently the AAP’s key contact for early care and education.

Joyce Taylor, an Emmy-award winning anchor with an extensive career in television is among the most recognized news anchors in the Northwest. In May 2002, Joyce returned to the Home Team to co-anchor the station’s top-rated KING 5 Morning News and KING 5 News at Noon with Brad Goode and Rich Marriott. Joyce also co-anchors Seattle Live on KONG 6/16, the local morning news and entertainment show which launched in August 2004.

She began her career as a weathercaster at KING-TV’s sister station, KREM 2 News in Spokane, Wash., right after college. She then headed east to WFMY-TV in Greensboro, N.C., to work as a reporter and weathercaster and was later promoted to anchor the station’s No. 1 weekend newscast.

Joyce returned home to the Northwest and the KING-TV family in 1988 to anchor KING 5 Weekend News. She later would anchor KING 5 morning news and launch KING 5 News at Noon with anchor Dennis Bounds. In 1993, Joyce moved to Seattle’s KIRO-TV anchoring various newscasts including the 6:30 p.m. news, 7-LIVE with Joyce Taylor and then moved on to anchor KIRO’s weekday morning news and noon newscasts.

Throughout her career, Joyce has been recognized for her excellence in broadcasting. She received a regional Emmy in 1998 for Best News Anchor for her live reporting from London of Princess Diana’s tragic death.

Joyce has a twin sister who is an elementary school principal in California and is one of five children. She grew up in Tacoma where her parents still reside and is a graduate of Wilson High School and Western Washington University in Bellingham, which recently named her one of the college’s “100 Outstanding Alumni of the Century.”

Locally, she lends her talents to a number of causes. She is an active WWU alum and spent six years on the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors. She is also a long-time member of a fund-raising committee for Seattle Emergency Housing Service.

Joyce is an avid runner and recently completed her first triathlon and the Seattle Half-Marathon. She lives in Bellevue with her husband and two children.

Paula Smith has been head of school at the University Child Development School in Seattle for the past seven years. In her 15 years with the University Child Development School, Paula has taught at the elementary level, developed curriculum, and served as director of admissions and the assistant head of school.

Paula received her master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Washington. She currently sits on the board of the Washington Federation of Independent Schools, and serves on the public engagement task force sponsored by the Seattle Public Schools and the Alliance for Education.

Joan Lombardi is one of the leading experts on early childhood development and child and family policy. She is the director of The Children’s Project LLC. Through The Children’s Project, she serves as an advisor to a number of foundations and policy initiatives and helps create innovative projects with a wide variety of national and international organizations. Joan served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for External Affairs in the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the first Director of the Child Care Bureau. She is the author of Time to Care: Redesigning Child Care to Promote Education, Support Families and Build Communities (Temple University Press, 2003) and co-editor of A Beacon of Hope: The Promise of Early Head Start for America’s Youngest Children (Zero To Three Press, 2004).

In 2004, Joan launched the Global Leaders for Young Children program in partnership with The World Forum Foundation, which has provided leadership support to 19 early education leaders from 8 countries. In addition, in 2004 she served as a Senior Fellow with The Global Fund for Children in Washington D.C. Joan serves on the Education Leadership Council of Save the Children, and participates in the US Chapter of the Global Campaign for Education and Global Action for Children.

Dr. Michael H. Levine is executive director of the National Campaign for International Education in the Schools, the Asia Society’s initiative to ensure that children and youth learn about other world regions, cultures and languages. Michael is also a senior associate at the Yale University Bush Center in child development and public policy, where he focuses on early learning program and policy development.

Previously, Michael served as executive director of the I Am Your Child Foundation, working to expand public awareness and policy interest in young children’s healthy development and school readiness. He received his Ph.D. in social policy from Brandeis University’s Florence Heller School, and is a frequent adviser to the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. He also serves on the national advisory boards of Scholastic, Inc. and Child Magazine.