Felicia Pettiford

With over 18 years of experience in early childhood education, I’ve dedicated my career to supporting young children, their families, and the educators who serve them—especially in diverse, urban communities. I’m the founder of Roots and Resilience Consulting, where I help early childhood educators build trauma-informed classrooms that are nurturing, supportive, and rooted in practical strategies.

I hold a Master’s in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor’s in Communications with a focus on Journalism, and I’ve worn many hats throughout my journey—classroom teacher, ESL tutor, instructional coach, developmental interventionist, and certified mediator. Each role has deepened my commitment to creating safe, compassionate learning environments where all children can grow and thrive.

As the author of Trauma-Informed Teaching: A Guide for Early Childhood Educators, I’m passionate about helping educators feel confident and equipped to navigate trauma-related behaviors, while also prioritizing their own emotional well-being. Through workshops, coaching, speaking engagements, and customized resources, I share tools that elevate emotional intelligence and strengthen social-emotional learning in the classroom.

At the heart of everything I do is a simple mission: to empower educators with the knowledge and support they need to create lasting, meaningful change—for their students and themselves.