Patricia Burton-McFadden
Patricia “Ms. Trish” Burton-McFadden is a passionate and visionary leader in the field of early childhood education, grassroots organizing, and educational reform. As the founder of Divine Individual with Virtuous Ambition (D.I.V.A. EnterpriZe, LLC), she has spent over 25 years advocating for the highest standards in early learning programs across the United States. With dual Master of Arts degrees in Education and a current pursuit of her Doctorate in Innovation and Education Organizational Leadership from Marymount University, Patricia brings a powerful combination of academic excellence and lived experience to her work.
Through initiatives like ECE 4 Me and her active role in electoral and community leadership, Patricia has become a prominent voice for systemic change in early education—centering educators, children, and families in her advocacy. Known for her unapologetic passion and divine sense of purpose, she mentors the next generation of educators while challenging outdated structures. Whether mentoring professionals, speaking truth to power, or nurturing NICU infants through volunteer work, Patricia remains rooted in a mission of love, justice, and transformation.
• Marymount University
• Grand Canyon University- M.A.
• Grand Canyon University- Master's
• University of the District of Columbia- Associate's
• University of the District of Columbia- B.A.
• NAEYC
• Spaces In Action
• Community Change
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to discovering my purpose and passion for living! I tell myself every morning that I am who the world has been waiting for in early childhood education. My love for nurturing young minds has driven me to pursue additional degrees, seeking new knowledge and holding fast to my commitment to excel. My motto is: I have more degrees than a thermometer, which has increased my joy in fostering a love for learning. My determination, hard work, resilience, adaptability, and strong support network inspire me to embrace challenges and continue to seek growth opportunities. They also play a crucial role in achieving my goals.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my mom: go after everything you want without an apology—because we have a responsibility to make the world better; but Trish, please do it with love.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Come into the field of early learning because you have a passion for nurturing the minds, hearts, souls, and spirits of young children. Incorporate your enthusiastic superpowers in your daily interactions with the children and their families. Take good care of your mental and emotional health. A happy teacher creates the best positive classroom atmosphere that every child remembers. Michelle Obama says, "Find your flame and keep it lit." I'm passing the torch for you to keep the flame of child care lit.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education today is the widespread use of standardized testing that fails to accurately reflect a student's true knowledge or learning style. Too often, these flawed assessments lead to misdiagnoses and unjust consequences for students and families, particularly in underserved communities. The essence of childhood must be protected and appreciated.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are faith, courage, decisiveness, and family—faith keeps me grounded, courage guides my actions, decisiveness seizes opportunities and strategically navigates potential setbacks, and family, who gives me the strength to endure and thrive through all of life’s challenges.