Dear JPP,

It is still so much fun to put these announcements together recognizing all of the amazing work families are accomplishing in their lives! It just does not get old. Thank you for the opportunity to continue to celebrate with you in a special edition of the JPP Newsletter. These families represent those who have achieved, accomplished, graduated, strive towards, and reached their goals over the past year. We will have 5 people each week to celebrate who would have otherwise been recognized in this years' Achievement Award Ceremony 2020.

We can't wait to see what you all do next and we want to keep encouraging everyone to keep pushing towards your goals, whether at home or when we meet again in person. We support you and we know you can do it!

Cheers to more celebrations and more recognition of the hard work you are doing every day. We see you and we are so proud of you all. Please read on for Week FIVE of celebrations, may they forever continue!!

Nicole D.

Nicole has A LOT be proud of this year!

She started her Bachelor’s program online to become an Early Childhood Education teacher and was promoted to Lead Teacher at Head Start! The challenge that Nicole overcame was her own mindset. She went from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset! In her process of moving towards a growth mindset, Nicole is committed to improving time management, taking care of herself so she can take care of others, and breaking things down into smaller steps so tasks are less overwhelming. Like many of you, Nicole is juggling working, being a student, AND homeschooling her children! She is finding comfort in realizing that she is not the only parent going through this! Nicole's next steps include completing her Bachelor's degree - a lifelong dream! She is already living one of her life-long dreams of being a Lead teacher at Head Start, a supportive environment for children and the whole family!

Congratulations Nicole on going back to school, your big promotion AND taking on a growth mindset!!

Nathan S.

Nathan have accomplished a lot this year!

Nathan received his GED in three weeks and started working his new full-time job as a Metal Fabricator.

Congratulations Nathan on getting your GED in such a short amount of time and starting your new job!

Maria V.

Maria and her family have come far this year!!

The biggest challenge that I overcame was a financial challenge. I had to figure out how to pay for my wedding and manage the stress of losing income and owning a business during COVID-19. I was able to continue to pay off my debts by staying consistent with budgeting and utilizing the resources around us. My biggest success was paying off seven credit cards! Since, our monthly bills have been reduced significantly. The next thing we are working towards paying off is our car. Next steps are to complete my Dave Ramsey's "Baby Step 2", start “Baby Step 3” and pay off my last 3 remaining debts.

Congratulations Maria on your NEW MARRIAGE and on taking huge steps forward with your debt reduction!! Keep up the great work!

AJ W.

AJ, What a huge year this has been for you!!
When AJ started school, she was a single mother of 3 girls at the end of her rope wanting to make the choice to give her family a better life. AJ knew about JPP when her 2^nd child attended Head Start and was familiar with what Head Start offered but didn’t explore the opportunities with ECE until her 3^rd daughter started two years later. AJ started working for Head Start as a bus driver and quickly worked her way up to a TA position in the classroom. It was then that she discovered her love of education and helping children learn to cope with social emotional learning. This passion led her to the conversation of creating the Butterfly Room at Head Start and going back to school for her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. AJ has proven that she is not one to wait around for opportunities and it has served her well. Seven years later, AJ has obtained her Bachelors degree, and has created a successful room for children who thrive with additional social emotional learning skills. AJ has been with Jefferson County for six years now with many years of dedication left in her to them! AJ continues to attribute her drive towards her girls and ensuring she is role modeling what is possible for their futures without letting fear stop you. Now, AJ is in her Master’s program and set to join the graduating class of 2021 with her Masters’ in Leadership in ECE. From here, she will be helping to create another new position at Head Start as the first Instructional Coach!

Congratulations AJ, on your perseverance and leadership, creating amazing opportunities for children with a little extra need! You are such an incredible role model and we are so proud!!

Kapri D.

Kapri is working so hard to reach her educational goals!

I am working to obtain my associates degree. Life isn't always easy but keep looking up and you'll see the sun. ;) Hard work pays off.

Congrats Kapri, on finishing off another semester! Keep up the great work!