Dr. B.L. Buddy Fish

Dr. B. L. “Buddy” Fish has been an early childhood educator for over 40 years as a teacher for over 20 years in birth through age 8 classrooms, an educational liaison, and an administrator. He is currently an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education (graduate faculty) at Jackson State University teaching child development, methods, and theory. Dr. Fish authored many articles, several books, and two albums of songs and stories for early childhood teachers and children. Dr. Fish advocates for quality educational opportunities and emotionally safe environments for young children. He was chairman of the Mississippi Department of Health Child Care Advisory Board for 8 years. He was a member of the Professional Development Panel for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and continues to perform training and technical assistance to child care facilities, elementary schools, and Head Start grantees throughout the southern states. Dr. Fish received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Early Childhood Education from the University of Florida and his doctorate in ECE from Jackson State University. He is a certified emotional intelligence trainer.