Thank you to Caswell County’s Early Childhood Educators
The Caswell County Partnership for Children (CCPFC) annually rewards early childhood educators for their academic achievements and encourages their continued commitment to the well-being of young children with Smart Start Professional Development Incentives. This year, Incentives were awarded to 20 early childhood educators. Award amounts vary depending on the level of academic achievement and longevity at the same early childhood program. CCPFC hopes the Incentives will help these early childhood educators remain in their field, continuing to provide young children with high quality learning experiences.
The Smart Start Professional Development Incentives are designed to reduce turnover and increase provider education and compensation and does so through annual payments to early childhood educators who meet all the eligibility requirements. This year more than ever, these Incentives are so important to support struggling early childhood educators who have continued to work during the COVID-19 pandemic and support Caswell County’s young children, working families, and economic recovery. Early childhood educators are the workforce behind the workforce. Early childhood educators have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis; however, some are still paid poverty-level wages and receive few benefits, if any, for the essential work they do.
CCPFC would like to recognize our community’s early childhood educators by acknowledging their dedication and years of service. The levels are based on the number of years an educator has served children at the same program. (Note: only those who applied for a Smart Start Professional Development Incentive in 2021 are included below since those were able to have information verified as part of the application process.)
Platinum for 20 years or more:
Tara Mansfield for 24 years with NOAH'S EDUCATIONAL ARK
Catherine Barnes for 23 years with CASWELL COMMUNITY HEAD START
Terri Henderson for 23 years with CASWELL COMMUNITY HEAD START
Betsy Neighbors for 23 years with CASWELL COMMUNITY HEAD START
Tanya Richmond for 23 years with CASWELL COMMUNITY HEAD START
Gold for 15 years or more:
Katina Turner for 19 years with YANCEYVILLE EARLY HEAD START
Carla Jefferies for 16 years with YANCEYVILLE EARLY HEAD START
Loria Slade for 15 years with YANCEYVILLE EARLY HEAD START
Silver for 10 years or more:
Nancy Johnston for 14 years with CASWELL COMMUNITY HEAD START
Bronze for 5 years or more:
Tyshia McCain for 9 years with YANCEYVILLE EARLY HEAD START
Beth Griffin for 8 years with OAKWOOD ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM
Wanda Brandon for 7 years with CASWELL COMMUNITY HEAD START
Jennifer Giles for 5 years with NORTH ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM
In addition, thank you to the following educators who have served at least 6 months:
Crystal Carter with NORTH ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM
Felicia Crews with SOUTH ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM
Carrie McDuffie with NOAH'S EDUCATIONAL ARK
Katina Smith with RAINBOW EDUCATIONAL CHILD CARE CENTER
Kandice Stanfield-Ceparano with SOUTH ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM
Sandra Taborn with YANCEYVILLE EARLY HEAD START
Meghan Willard with NOAH'S EDUCATIONAL ARK
The early childhood educators that received an Incentive represent the following seven early education sites, averaging 17 years of service and earning 34 college credits with a grade of “B” or better in a birth to five-focused course! Congratulations to Wanda Brandon, Felicia Crews and Katina Smith, who all completed early childhood degrees this year.
CASWELL COMMUNITY HEAD START: 6
NOAH'S EDUCATIONAL ARK: 3
North Elementary Pre-K Classroom: 2
Oakwood Elementary Pre-K Classroom: 1
RAINBOW EDUCATIONAL CHILDCARE CENTER: 1
SOUTH ELEMENTARY PRE-K CLASSROOM: 2
YANCEYVILLE EARLY HEAD START: 5
Professional Development Incentives are funded by CCPFC through Smart Start funding.