Learning Care Group, Inc. Names Susan Canizares Chief Academic Officer

NOVI, Mich., Sept. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Learning Care Group, Inc. announces today that Susan Canizares, Ph.D., will join the organization as Chief Academic Officer (CAO) effective Oct. 15, 2012. Learning Care Group is the second-largest for-profit early education and childcare provider in North America, operating more than 950 schools in 36 states, with the capacity to serve approximately 150,000 children.

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As CAO, Canizares will be responsible for leading all aspects of the educational mission of Learning Care Group, including refining curricula and the policies and practices that address academic achievement.  Reporting directly to the CEO, she will work closely with the company's school directors and teachers to maximize support for the enhancement of innovative learning products and solutions.   

Canizares holds a Ph.D. in language and literacy development.  She brings more than 20 years of managerial experience in educational publishing, specializing in early childhood education, and an extensive background in product development, marketing and sales.

"I'm so pleased to join an organization that is committed to excellence in early childhood education," said Canizares. "This is a wonderful opportunity to enhance the lives of thousands of children by bringing new innovative teaching concepts to more than 950 schools."

Prior to joining Learning Care Group, Canizares was senior vice president and general manager of the English Learner Group at Pearson Education, where she led strategic planning and comprehensive program development.  Previously, she was president of the Harcourt Achieve Supplemental Group, then senior vice president and publisher for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's K-12 Division.

During her tenure at Scholastic, Inc., Canizares served as product manager of the Early Childhood Group before becoming editor in chief of the Early Childhood Group.  While at Scholastic, she authored more than 100 nonfiction photographic titles for beginning readers, as well as co-authoring the best-selling Building Language for Literacy program (with Dr. Susan B. Neuman and Dr. Catherine Snow) and The Early Childhood Workshop (with Cathy Collins Block and Ellen Booth Church). Some of her other published credits include Side by Side Series:  Little Raccoon Catches a Cold, A Writer's Garden and Children to Children – Works by Young Authors and Illustrators.

Canizares earned her Ph.D. from Fordham University and a master's degree in special education, specializing in Early Childhood, from New York University. Her background includes experience as a center director for an early education center, as well as teaching special education in the New York Public School system.  As a noted authority on early childhood education and a recognized leader in educational publishing, Canizares is a frequent speaker and presenter at influential education conferences.

Canizares has been a member of the American Association of Publishers (AAP), serving on its Early Childhood Committee, as well as the American Educational Research Association, International Reading Association, National Council of Teachers of English and National Association for the Education of Young Children.

"We're honored to welcome Dr. Susan Canizares to the LCG team," said Barbara Beck, CEO at Learning Care Group.  "As a distinguished authority in early learning, Dr. Susan brings a keen understanding of the issues affecting today's education environment and a natural ability to engage children in the learning experience. With her depth of knowledge, innovative mindset and passion, she will be invaluable in guiding our mission to provide children with a strong foundation for academic achievement and a lifelong love of learning."

About Learning Care Group, Inc.
Headquartered in Novi, Mich., Learning Care Group, Inc. provides early education and care services to children ages six weeks to 13 years under its umbrella of brands: The Children's Courtyard, Childtime Learning Centers, La Petite Academy, Montessori Unlimited and Tutor Time Child Care/Learning Centers. Learning Care Group operates more than 950 schools corporate and franchise across 36 states, the District of Columbia and internationally, and has a system-wide capacity to serve nearly 150,000 children.

SOURCE Learning Care Group, Inc.