Congratulations to These T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Ohio Graduates!!

Congratulations to these

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood^® Ohio

Graduates!!

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood^® Ohio came to the state of Ohio early in 2003. Cuyahoga County was the first area to fund both center and family child care providers, putting them on the forefront of the T.E.A.C.H. movement. Since that time, T.E.A.C.H. expanded into Stark, Franklin, and Montgomery counties, thanks to private funding. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services now provides funding for staff and directors in Step Up to Quality centers. Our scholars now represent all areas of Ohio.

The graduates highlighted here represent very motivated women who are dedicated to early care and education. Some care for children in centers, some in their own homes. Some took many classes using the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship; others were eligible for assistance near the end of their studies.

No matter which path each took, her destination was the same – improving the quality of care for Ohio’s youngest, and most vulnerable, population.

Please join us in congratulating these women.

Tara Chambers Kane	Spring 2004 – Tri-C Halfway through school, I quit to have my son. When the T.E.A.C.H. program came along, I was very thankful to be able to finish. It took me less than two years to finish. My confidence has increased since graduation. I also received a raise from my center. “I am happy knowing that my son is proud of me.”
Jeanette Laracuente	Fall 2004 – Tri-C It took me four years to graduate. “Without the scholarship I would not have been able to go back to school.” I was promoted to lead teacher after receiving my degree. My knowledge has increased thanks to the T.E.A.C.H. program. I am currently working towards my BA degree.
Shalimar Colbert	Spring 2005 – Tri-C T.E.A.C.H. allowed me to complete an AAS degree in Early Childhood Education as well as begin work on a BA in Early Education. T.E.A.C.H. has helped me and other teachers reach their professional goals. While earning my degrees I met many wonderful professors and students who shared techniques, skills, and ideas which I have been able to bring back to my classroom. My future includes additional educational experiences; I want to earn a MS in Early Childhood Education and eventually a Ph.D.
Shalimar Haynes	Summer 2005 – Tri-C It took me three years of off and on attendance to graduate. “The T.E.A.C.H. program has been extremely beneficial in helping me achieve my AA. I hope to continue my education and receive my BA.” The center awarded me a small stipend upon graduation. I am working on my BA degree in Early Childhood Education and plan to pursue my Master’s and PhD. I would like to work in the inner city and with underprivileged children and families.
Linda Mitchell	Summer 2005 – Tri- C
Veronica Moyer	Summer 2005 – Tri-C I started on the scholarship with Starting Point. I was promoted to lead teacher after I received my degree. “The degree has helped me learn more in dealing with the children and how they learn.” My current long term goal is to work on my BA degree. I enjoy working in the classroom and plan to continue.
Judy Glover	Summer 05 – Tri-C I am a grandmother and have a daughter in college in early childhood. I worked on my degree for about five years. I heard about the T.E.A.C.H. program through Starting Point and at the college. “I was in the program when it was a pilot program.” “It helped to enhance my child care program—totally all the way around.” I look back at all that I learned, and applied it to my program. “I feel that I am truly a professional now because of having my Associate Degree along with my Pre-K license.”
Sandra Woodall	Fall 05 - Stark
Denita Jackson	Spring 06 - Tri-C Attending Cuyahoga Community College, with the help of the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship, has given me many valuable and priceless experiences. I have met new people with a wide variety of teaching styles. I learned new teaching strategies as well as had some of my teaching techniques reinforced. I greatly appreciated paid release time. Paid release time let me enroll in daytime courses and helped my employing center to pay for a substitute teacher to take my place in my classroom. Currently, I am taking courses toward a BA in Early Education.
Abby Bowman	Spring 06 - CSCC When my center joined SUTQ, I had already been taking classes. I went to Columbus State and looked into Early Childhood Education and loved it. When I graduated, I was offered a full time position. I hope that my background will help me to be a better mother in the future. “Being newly married at the time, my husband and I were both in school and the T.E.A.C.H. program was a definite help.”
Kim Surniak	Spring 2006 – Tri-C "Teach allowed me to fulfill my dream."
Alice Jefferson	Summer 06 - CSCC I had been taking classes before I started T.E.A.C.H. Another T.E.A.C.H. scholar referred me to the program. I have been a home care provider since August, 1999. I saw a change in learning how children do things. “No child is limited, and we as adults put limitations on them.” I am in the process of opening up a facility outside of my home. “Without T.E.A.C.H. I would not have been able to reach my goals. I would strongly recommend it to people who may be in a financial crunch.”
Certuria Kennebrew	Summer 06 – Tri-C As a T.E.A.C.H scholar I have been able to pursue an Associates of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. I graduated in the summer of 2006. I started out this educational journey in the summer of 2003. Since graduation, I have been working on my Bachelors Degree. This is all thanks to the part that the T.E.A.C.H. program played in my life.
Heather Hass	Winter 07 – U of C (SUTQ, Cuyahoga Co.)
Christine Baker	Winter 07 – U of C (SUTQ, Franklin Co.)