Why I do this work
I am inspired when I hear success stories. There is nothing more rewarding than hearing someone proudly say, 'I am a Head Start baby.' Moments like that remind me that the work we do today can shape a child's future for a lifetime.
Dr. Thea Wilson oversees Early Head Start, Head Start, and Parental Involvement programs at Step Forward. With more than 50 years in early childhood development, she also brings more than 13 years of college teaching and workshop facilitation experience. Her work focuses on early learning and family engagement initiatives, and she is dedicated to supporting parents as active participants in their children's education.
Prior to joining Step Forward, Dr. Wilson served as Chair of Early Childhood at The Music Settlement and Executive Director of the Office of Early Childhood – Pre-K to Third Grade – for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She is also the author of the children's book, 13 Peas.
Dr. Wilson received her Doctorate in Education Leadership and Specialist degrees from the University of Sarasota (Argosy University), a Master of Science in Reading Education from John Carroll University, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Baldwin Wallace College. In 2019, she became the first African American president of the Ohio Association for the Education of the Young Child and has received numerous recognitions for her contributions to education.
What's one value that guides your leadership?
Making a contribution that helps make the world a better place to live.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Spending time with my family. They make me laugh and bring me so much joy. I also enjoy reading a good mystery, shopping for my grandchildren (and, of course, myself), and traveling to see and learn something different.
What's one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
I have a trained singing voice. At one time, I had a four-octave vocal range and could sing from tenor to first soprano. I've performed solos at Severance Hall and sang in a choral concert at Carnegie Hall in New York. Singing has been a serious hobby of mine since I joined my church's adult choir at age three.