Barbara Abel, Ph.D., is a clinical guest lecturer at the University of Illinois Chicago. Prior to joining UIC, she was assistant director, program and curricula at Start Early's Educare School Chicago. Abel has worked in the field of infant and early childhood care and education for over 30 years. Her experiences in the field range from being a teacher of infants and toddlers, to designing and directing programs for children from birth to five living in historically underserved urban communities, to teaching undergraduate and graduate students, and conducting research particularly in the area of the influence of culture and context on children's social/emotional development. Abel has also contributed to the development of curriculum initiatives, including her work with Erikson Institute on the development of Math All Around Me.