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Head Start Stories
The Power of Head Start story: By RainaStory submitted by: Raina
Head Start coach
San Bernardino County Preschool Services
As a Head Start staff member and parent, I have been personally impacted by Head Start in a positive and progressive way. I have worked in Head Start for a little over 10 years and my son was a Head Start child. Entering as a teacher when I started in Head Start was a blessing for me. I thought I was signing up to be just a teacher and learned that Head Start was more than supporting a child’s educational development. -
Head Start Stories
The Power of Head Start story: By DavidStory submitted by: David
Head Start Mental Health/Social Worker
Sacramento City Unified School District
Thirty-five years ago, I was inspired to influence the education system and help parents because of my great experience with my own daughter’s Head Start teacher. I received my Master’s in Counseling and became a Mental Health consultant. Since then, I’ve worked with Head Start parents for almost 25 years. I have seen parents move out of their comfort zones by participating and leading in Policy Council, -
Head Start Stories
The Power of Head Start Story: By AmparoStory submitted by: Amparo
Migrant Seasonal Head Start in Community Action
Partnership, San Luis Obispo, CA
I have been with Migrant Seasonal Head Start through Community Action Partnership San Luis Obispo for 19 years. I immigrated here from Mexico in 1989 with my four daughters and two sons. I started working at home babysitting six kids. I worked very hard for almost 10 years and in 1997, I decided to attend adult school to learn English. -
Head Start Stories
The Power of Head Start Story: By JacquelynStory submitted by:
Jacquelyn, Head Start parent and Assistant Director at
San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department
My Head Start story began in 1973. I was 4 years old and enrolled in the Ramona Gardens Head Start Child Care Center in Los Angeles. At the time, my mom, dad and sister lived in the Ramona Gardens Project Housing Development. We were very poor and received financial assistance. I still remember my teacher, Ms. -
Head Start Stories
The Power of Head Start Story: By NinaStory submitted by:
Nina, Head Start parent
E-Center Head Start in Yuba City, CA
Head Start has made it possible for my grandchildren to succeed. My husband and I were granted permanent guardianship of our grandchildren Gracie and Preston, (then 18 months and 7 months, respectively). Both were developmentally delayed and emotionally unstable. Gracie didn’t talk, cried often, and Preston didn’t do much except lay there. My husband and I were both working full time, -
Head Start Stories
The Power of Head Start Story: By Myra AcostaStory submitted by:
Myra Acosta
ECE Director, Palm Springs Unified School District, Early Childhood Education Program
I am a single mother of two wonderful children: Jasmin, 18 and Daniel, 16. When my son Daniel was born, he did not pass his newborn hearing screening, so we began seeing a specialist. Daniel was diagnosed with cognitive delays and moderate to severe Autism at 3 years old. As a mother, I was devastated and sought refuge in my faith. -
Head Start Stories
Head Start Story: By Marlo LopezThis story is about Andrea*, a young mother of two who was new to the United States and lived with an abusive partner. When she entered our program, she and her children were shy and withdrawn. Our staff at Walnut Grove Head Start enjoyed making families feel welcome and feel like one big family and gave Andrea and her family this same warm welcome.
With time, she formed friendships with other parents in the program, and began to participate in parent activities. -
Head Start Stories
Head Start Story: By Darline GaribayMy mother came to the United States with many hopes and dreams. She worked multiple entry-level jobs in order to give us a better life. Therefore, she stressed the importance of education from a young age. She was a single parent that spoke little English but that did not stop her from seeking out opportunities for my siblings and me.
One such opportunity was our local Head Start program, located in Oxnard, CA, that helped me learn social and communication skills, -
Head Start Stories
Head Start Story: By Lisa PriceIn 1967, my mother enrolled me in Head Start at 3 years old. I loved the environment, the teachers, socialization and field trips! After that first year ended, I was more social, and began putting letters together to spell words. I started reading simple books at 4 years of age. My love for learning began in Head Start. Though I was born to a teen mother, she instilled the importance of learning and supported my school experiences at home.
