BRATTLEBORO — Windham Child Care Association announced recently that this year's Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award was given to Lizzy Sheehan, lead teacher at Early Education Services Canal Street Head Start program.
The award was presented at the River Valley Kids Fair on Sept. 15 on the Brattleboro Common.
Sheehan said that she has always enjoyed being around children. Having faced her own difficulties in school, she became very sensitive to the struggles many children were having in the classroom. As she entered the education profession, she discovered that she had a talent for compassionately working with children, so she pursued her teaching degree.
After almost 23 years as a public school kindergarten teacher in Massachusetts, Sheehan began working at Early Education Services four years ago.
She said one of her favorite things about working with the children in her care is helping them develop an 'I can do this' attitude.
“I appreciate the opportunity to guide children in developing their independence and self-esteem along with a strong sense of community responsibility” she said.
Sheehan's peers describe her positive impact. “I have a great deal of respect for Lizzy. She is the teacher I hope to someday be,” said Elly Majonen of Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS). “She is honest and open, she cares about the families she comes in contact with and inspires children to be respectful and independent thinkers.”
“Lizzy is a teacher you want to take to other centers to model exemplary practice and share her expertise and knowledge in several areas: collaboration with staff and early childhood service providers, creating individual child development plans, juggling multiple priorities, creating meaningful relationships with families, classroom structure, management and culture,” said Tamara Swayne of HCRS.
“Lizzy is a fabulous teacher who consistently incorporates academia, rhythm, movement, and socially-conscious lessons in her everyday routine. She commands attention from her group but does so in a genuinely caring and supportive way,” says Annie Richards of HCRS.
“This year we had a very strong pool of candidates” said Elizabeth Raposa, executive director of Windham Child Care Association. “All of these individuals are doing incredibly important work in our community. The decision wasn't easy, because they are all deserving of recognition.”
Raposa said Sheehan's accomplishments “clearly demonstrate the quality of care that we hope all young children have the opportunity to receive.”
Other nominees of this year's award were Sue Clarke (retired family child care provider), April Barcomb (Early Education Services), Robin Davis (Timson Hill Preschool), Susan Heimer (Winston Prouty Center), Kim Jacques (Winston Prouty Center), Lisa McDougal (Early Education Services), Molly Oglesby (Neighborhood Schoolhouse), Jen Rice (family child care provider), Judy Rosner (family child care provider), and Rosie Smith (Elm Lea Childcare).
Windham Child Care Association is a child care community support agency offering child care resource and referral services, a high-quality child care program and the county-wide bookmobile service, the Early Learning Express. For more information, call 802-254-5332 or visit www.windhamchildcare.org.