My name is Ashley Brooks. I am an African American female. I currently live and work in Washtenaw County. I work for Ypsilanti Community Schools at Beatty Early Learning Center as a Lead Preschool Teacher. I currently have an Associate in Art Degree in Elementary Education from Washtenaw Community College. I also hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and Liberal Arts Elementary Teaching, from Eastern Michigan University.

If I was accepted in the HighScope Educational Research Foundational grant program, I’d love to pursue a Master Degree in Educational Leadership, or a Master Degree in Early Childhood Special Education.

This program would allow me to bring diversity to higher education roles in my community. It would also help me financially pursue higher roles in education, to become a leader and advocate, to help break the inequalities that racial discrimination may be currently creating. In return, this program would help families become more comfortable with the educational system, allowing them to see positive role models from their ethnicity group and allowing youth to see role models, to believe that they themselves can also be an educator, and within the field.

Thank you for this opportunity for allowing me to share my thoughts on this possible program. I really appreciate the insightful meaning behind this grant as well. I agree that breaking this barrier would help perceived racial inequities in classrooms and schools.

My name is Angela Burd. I am the first in my immediate family to graduate from college. My paternal grandfather immigrated to the US from Mexico as a young child, while my maternal grandfather immigrated from Italy. In 2013, I received my Early Childhood Education associate degree. I also was honored with the ECE Student of the Year award. In 2017, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in ECE from Ashford University. I am the President of the Charles A. Burd Foundation, created to help children who have unexpectedly endured the loss of a parent. In addition to my work as a teacher and my foundation, I also belong to 100 Women Who Care in Van Buren County. I love working with young children. I believe that the future depends on meeting the social and emotional needs of the young child in addition to giving them a solid beginning to their educational journey. I strive to meet those needs in each child that comes through my classroom.

Imyn currently holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood from Central State University. Imyn is working on her second year of employment with the GSRP and has past experiences working with the community of Benton Harbor and area schools. Imyn is interested in pursuing her Master’s and currently has been talking about finishing her Master’s Degree and was not able to due to funding situations. She has stated, “This is just what I’ve been praying about.”

I would like to introduce myself and express sincere gratitude for the possible opportunity to continue to my academic career to help make a difference in the lives of the children, families, and the community. My name is Lakeya Jones. I am an African American woman, a daughter, mother, wife, and always a teacher. I believe there are teachable moments around us and always room for growth. I was born and raised in Washtenaw County and to be able to give back to the community that has had such an impact on me will be a full circle moment.

I am currently employed through Ypsilanti Community Schools at Beatty Early Learning Center as an Associate Preschool Teacher. I obtained an associate degree in Liberal Arts from Washtenaw Community College in Ypsilanti, MI.

Through this program I would like the opportunity to seek additional college education and receive a Bachelor’s in Education, which will allow me to continue making a positive impact as an educator. This program will allow me to have the proper credentials to make a contribution to upcoming children’s lives that surround me. I will continue to be an example to other African American woman, mothers, and daughters to show they too can pursue their dreams and impact the lives of those around them.

Hello, my name is Emris Latham. I was born in Venezuela and raised on the sunny island of Trinidad and Tobago. I am a mother of four beautiful grown children and a grandmother to five very chatty grandchildren that I will forever love. I am a preschool teacher and I would like to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Education/Spanish.

I love teaching children; I believe that working with children is the best job in the world. Why? I am helping change the course of our world through shaping the minds that will someday impact it in a very big way. When I earn my degree, I would love to work with bilingual families and children, since I recognize the struggle of trying to learn a new language such as English. I would like to be able to direct families to resources to improve themselves and the lives of the children. I am so excited for this opportunity!

Tonya Morton is currently an early childhood lead teacher in a three-year-old classroom for Kalamazoo RESA Head Start. Tonya received her degree in early childhood many years ago but didn’t go into the field right away as her family made the decision for her to be a stay-at-home mom. In 2018, when she signed her last child up for the Head Start program and having a discussion with her assigned family advocate, she mentioned her education and desire to finally make the jump into teaching but was looking for an opportunity. As a former and current Head Start parent and a woman of color, administration was excited to give her an opportunity as a lead teacher.

This was an exceptional decision for both Tonya and the program. She has been a highly effective teacher and provides an environment and classroom culture that her students flourish in. Tonya is now ready to make the next step in her educational career by earning a master’s degree to open more doors in the early childhood field.

Desiray Moses-LaBarge is in her sixth year as a Program Director with Tri-County Head Start in Bangor, MI. This Head Start Alumni is originally from Detroit, MI. After graduating from Mumford High School with honors in 2007, she attended Western Michigan University and joined the United States Army shortly after. Before graduating from Western Michigan University in 2013 with her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, she completed one tour in Afghanistan, became a mother, and remained a scholar. She is a veteran and lives in Kalamazoo, MI with her husband and daughter and is very dedicated to her students.

Deborah Nunn is currently a lead teacher in the Kalamazoo RESA Head Start program. She began her employment with KRESA in special education as a paraprofessional. When KRESA obtained the Head Start grant she felt like it was a great opportunity for her to spread her wings and move into the early childhood world. She started as an associate teacher learning under a lead teacher and growing her passion for early childhood. At the time she did not have the credentials to be an associate teacher but through various financial and resource opportunities offered by KRESA Head Start she was able to obtain her CDA. However, Deborah didn’t want to stop there as she desired to further her education in early childhood by obtaining the required credentials to become a lead teacher. Once again, she took full advantage of the opportunities and partnerships that KRESA and KRESA Head Start had to offer to go back to school as a non-traditional student and work full time to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. When the opportunity presented itself, administration was excited to promote her into a lead teaching position of her own classroom. Her dividends have paid off and she is an effective teacher making a difference in all of her students’ lives while also being a source of belonging and identity sharing with her students and families of color.

Gwen holds an Associate degree in Early Childhood from Arkansas Northeastern College. She is currently working on completing her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Liberty University. Gwen is working on her second year of employment with the GSRP and has past experience working in the education system with Benton Harbor Schools. Gwen is looking to continue her education and is interested in continuing learning through a Master’s program.