A native of Camp Hill, Alabama and a resident of Auburn since 1990, Dr. Lilli Land was hired by Auburn City Schools in May of 2000.  Dr. Land is a graduate of Auburn University and holds the following degrees in Early Childhood Education:  Bachelor of Science, Master of Education, Specialist in Education, and Doctor of Philosophy.  Dr. Land has been an educator in Alabama public schools since 1981.  She began her career in education as a second grade teacher with Tallapoosa County Schools.  After two years, she moved to a kindergarten teaching position where she found her passion--working with young children as they entered public school.  Following seven years as a kindergarten teacher, she was promoted to an administrative position in the superintendent's office and was named the Kindergarten and Title I Supervisor for Tallapoosa County Schools.  Over the next ten years, she served as an administrator and coordinated the system’s kindergarten curriculum, student assessment, and federal programs.  With nineteen years of experience, Dr. Land began her tenure with Auburn City Schools as principal of Auburn Early Education Center.  During this time, AEEC has been honored with several awards and recognitions.  In 2004, Dr. Land received the Alpha Principal Award, given annually by Alpha Insurance Companies to two principals in the state.  In 2005, AEEC was named an Intel and Scholastic School of Distinction for Literary Achievement and a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School.  In 2006, AEEC was named a CLAS Banner School and a SMART Technologies Showcase School.  Also, AEEC was featured in Auburn University’s College of Education magazine, Keystone.  In 2007, Dr. Land received the NAESP National Distinguished Principal Award for Alabama, and the George Lucas Educational Foundation produced a documentary on AEEC, Beginning the Journey:  Five-Year-Olds Drive Their Own PBL Projects.   According to Dr. Land, AEEC is the perfect place for those who love to work with young children.  Auburn Early Education Center provides an excellent opportunity to work with teachers who adhere to the constructivist theory of education and who strive to challenge young children as they pursue learning in a developmentally appropriate environment.