.png){kind=small}
Meet our CEO
Erica Jewel Littleton
Erica Jewel Littleton, our CEO, founded Learning Little People in 2013. She has earned local and statewide recognition for her lively contributions to the field of education. A 2005 graduate of Samford’s School of Education, Erica Jewel earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education. In 2009, she became a National Board Certified Teacher as an Exceptional Needs Specialist. Erica Jewel returned to Samford and earned a master's degree in Educational Leadership in 2010. She earned her Ph.D. in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Educational Studies in Diverse Populations program.
EDUCATION
.
Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Educational Studies in Diverse Populations
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL (2023)
Concentration: Pedagogical Studies
Field of Focus: Education Foundations & Instructional Leadership
.
Master of Education (M.Ed.): Instructional Leadership
Samford University, Birmingham, AL (2010)
.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.): Early Childhood, Elementary, Special Education Collaborative
Samford University, Birmingham, AL (2005)
CERTIFICATES
.
National Board Certification
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Arlington, VA (since 2009)
Exceptional Needs Specialist: Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
.
Teacher Certification
Issued by the Alabama State Department of Education:
-
Instructional Leadership Class A, grades P-12 (since 2010)
-
Early Childhood Class B, grades P-3 (since 2005)
-
Collaborative Teacher Class B, grades K-6 (since 2005)
-
Early Childhood Special Education Class B, grades P-3 (since 2005)
-
Elementary Class B, grades K-6 (since 2005)
Dr. Erica Jewel's Story
Erica Jewel Littleton, Ph.D., NBCT, is the Founder and CEO of Learning Little People. Throughout her career, she has taught both general and special education at the elementary level and served as an assistant principal at an urban K-8 school. She later became principal of a private school and went on to serve as a Turnaround Specialist at an urban middle school, where she oversaw the school’s $1.7 million School Improvement Grant. In one school year, she helped support the school’s growth from a 53/F on the state report card to a 73/C.
​
In 2018, Dr. Erica Jewel launched a National Board cohort and supported educators across three school districts as they navigated the process of becoming National Board Certified Teachers. She also served for two years as the Director of Educational Advancement in Mayor Randall Woodfin’s office, where she facilitated connections between nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and key administrators within Birmingham City Schools.
​
In addition to mentoring educators, Dr. Erica Jewel mentors edupreneurs and helps education professionals translate their expertise into mission-driven programs and sustainable offers. She is the creator of The Edupreneurship Academy and a TEDx speaker. She also serves as Vice President of the Spring Valley School Board.​