It has been one month since we assumed the roles of Co-Directors in the Center. During this time, we have been overwhelmed by your kindness and support of our changing roles. Your messages of encouragement and excitement have meant the world to us. We have certainly hit the ground running and when we pause for a minute to think about the changes we as a center are experiencing, it is hard not to feel the weight of that responsibility.

And yet through it all – we feel calm…and hopeful…and empowered by our ELC community. We asked for this opportunity to lead together. We believe in the Early Learning Center. We have witnessed over the years the power of a positive school community and the absolute beauty that comes from partnerships and working together. We love our center-wide team and know without a shadow of doubt that they are amazing professionals who are deeply committed to you, your children, and each other. This next chapter of the ELC is exciting to think about! We have a rich history to honor, and an even brighter future to reach for…thank you for your partnership as we all move forward together.

We wish you and your families a joyous winter break and precious family time. Please join us in thanking our entire ELC team for their strength, resilience, dedication, and passion during this past year. Their sheer grit and determination to be their absolute best for children and families makes them true heroes.

This month we are saluting 2 treasured teachers as they prepare for their last day at the Early Learning Center. Robin Crawford, Toddler Room 2, and Julie Perry, Preschool Room 5, will both wave good bye one final time on December 23rd. When they leave the ELC for winter break...they are stepping into their first days of retirement!

Ms. Robin started her adventure with the ELC in 2005. She has been an infant/toddler advocate and a fierce defender of the birth to three profession. She shared that "Working here has been my honor and such a wonderful experience. I will cherish the many fond memories created here forever. I have been privileged to work in the infants and toddlers program and collaborate with the New Directions Early Head Start program, which is very near and dear to my heart. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with all my coworkers and the leadership team, and I hope we can all keep in touch".

Ms. Julie started her journey with the ELC in 2007. Julie’s wish is always for each child to find their own rhythm to learning, watching for their unique spark of interest. She has been singing, dancing, and planning walking trips ever since! Julie shared," As I reflect on my time and career at the ELC, I am very grateful for the time I have had with the children, families, and staff. My opportunities to grow as a professional have been immense. I will miss and cherish the moments of working with everyone".

Robin and Julie have supported hundreds of children and families over the years. They have been mentors to UD students, champions for new team members, leaders, and dear friends. Please join all of us in wishing them well and congratulating them on well deserved retirements!

Kate McGarry, UD intern and ELC staff member in Infant Room 1, will officially become the teacher in Infant Room 3! Kate is graduating this December and has fallen in love with infants and toddlers! She is ready for next steps and excited to begin this new adventure. Everyone in Infant Room 1 is thrilled for Kate- she has made a great impact this fall in helping all of the new infants settle into their routines as new ELC members. Please join us in congratulating Kate!

 

Vilde Ronning has accepted the classroom assistant position in Infant Room 1! Vilde has been substituting for us since September and has also decided that infants and toddlers is where she would like to call home. Vilde has been a critical team player this fall helping in many classrooms and most recently as a long-term substitute in PreK 8. Please join us in thanking Ms. Vilde for her outstanding contributions to all of our programs and in welcoming her to the wonderful world of infants!

We are pleased to share that Mako Dey has joined our team as the classroom assistant in PreK 8. Her first day was Monday, December 13^th. Mako has an AA in Business Administration and an AA in English. As she began her career, she started to realize that she wanted to teach young children as she participated in a Parent coop group with her twins. She loved watching children learn by experiencing the world around them. She is eager to continue her own education, so she can continue to pursue her passion and dedication for the ECE field. Please join us in welcoming Mako!

 

We are thrilled to share that we have hired a new Business Administrator for the Early Learning Center! Her name is Laura Kerst and she has worked for UD for over 12 years. Laura is a positive force and we are excited to welcome her to the ELC community. She will begin her journey with us on January 3^rd. Laura is currently part of the leadership team in the UD School of Music and has experience managing budgets, supervising large numbers of students and part time employees, educational programming, policy writing, and navigating UD systems to “get things done”. Please join us in welcoming Laura!

It is with very mixed emotions that we write to share that Kathy Kampe has resigned her position as Assistant Director. Kathy has accepted a new role in the College of Heath Sciences as the Assistant to the Dean. She will begin her new adventure on the Star Campus on January 3^rd.