Cuyahoga County, OH – It’s official! Our Head Start teachers are back in the classroom!
Head Start staff returned to work August 15th. It was a great first day. Those at George Forbes and William Pat Day, in particular, startetting up their classrooms right away.
“I’m most excited to see my returners, for starters, just to see where they are what they have been doing over the summer and see what new things they were getting into,” Danielle Campbell, Assistant Teacher at George Forbes, said. “I’m also excited to see the new kids, see who we’re going to have this year, what challenges there may be and meeting new friends.”
Campbell will once again be teaching with Emily Johnson. It will be their third year in the same classroom.
“We work really well together,” Johnson said. “We are so excited.”
Down the hall, Patricia Lee and India Bryant were getting their classroom organized, too. Lee’s three children were Head Start students. She began volunteering as a parent and has served in almost every capacity across Step Forward’s Head Start.
“I love interacting with the kids, being engaged with them and planning activities,” she said. “We’re excited to get started with our 2022-2023 school year!”
At William Pat Day, Assistant Site Administrator Karen Smith surprised teachers with boxes of new items.
“I just like being able to be a provider for the children and seeing them grow,” Alexina Williamson said. “And seeing a smile on their face when they come into the classroom.”
Williamson and her teacher partner, Brenda Lee, were busy moving furniture on day one. They explained they already had a layout of their room prepared.
“We’re going to put our name tags on and we’re going to get started,” Lee said about day one at school. “When the kids come in, I always tell the parents, you have to say, ‘I love you.’ And when the kids leave, we say, ‘I love you.’”
Head Start students return to the classroom September 6th.
Step Forward Head Start continues to hire. The program is looking to fill about 100 vacancies, which include teacher, assistant teacher and education aide positions. If you’re interested in applying, you can head to https://www.stepforwardtoday.org/join-our-team.
Head Start also continues its enrollment efforts. The government administered program promotes school readiness for low-income children ages three to five.
Early Head Start is available for children ages six months to three years old.