Veronica A. Fernandez

Veronica A. Fernandez, PhD
Research Scientist
University of Miami

Dr. Veronica A. Fernandez is currently a Research Scientist at the University of Miami. Her research focuses on understanding and improving the quality of early learning experiences for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, as well as the transition to kindergarten. She has expertise in measurement development, advanced statistical analyses, program evaluation, teacher professional development, as well as child social-emotional and cognitive outcomes, focused on culturally and linguistically diverse children, families and teachers. Dr. Fernandez currently serves as the Co-PI on an RCT of an inquiry-based responsive coaching intervention for infant/toddler teachers and families, funded by the ACF. She is also leading the evaluation and redesign of the QRIS in Miami-Dade and the local evaluation efforts for an Early Head Start Child Care Partnership grantee. In addition, Dr. Fernandez consults to support state and national efforts around quality improvement.

Dr. Fernandez also has extensive experience in early care and education as a practitioner. She comes from a family of early educators; in fact, her mom owned and directed a preschool for over 25 years, where she worked as preschool teacher and then as a curriculum specialist for several years. During her time as a practitioner, she became increasingly involved in local, state and national ECE advocacy efforts. At the state-level, she served for several years on the Florida Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC), the State board responsible for advising the Governor on early learning best practices and policy. Dr. Fernandez also served as an expert panelist in the Florida Department of Education's effort to review, revise and consolidate Florida's Early Learning Standards. Locally, she has served on various committees for the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade and Monroe, on the Social Emotional committee for the Young Children with Special Needs and Disabilities Council, the School Readiness Taskforce for the local Head Start grantee and the Early Education Committee for the United Way of Miami-Dade.