As a little boy, Jeremiah struggled to express himself through speech.  

With support from Luzerne County Head Start, he underwent speech therapy, socialized with other children his age and slowly gained the skills and confidence he needed to communicate. 

Today, he’s 10 years old and in fifth grade, and his speech is clear.

“These services showed me that Head Start cares about more than just what happens inside the classroom,” said his mother, Anjelica. “The program understands that families may need different types of support and works to help them in whatever ways possible.” 

Meanwhile, a simple job search had changed the trajectory of Anjelica’s life, putting her on the path to becoming an early childhood educator. 

“Head Start helped my son find his voice, and in a way, it helped me find my purpose,” she said. 

Anjelica enrolled Jeremiah in Early Head Start home services when he was a toddler. Then, he transitioned into a Head Start classroom. She recalled how Jeremiah would come home from school, eager to share the day’s lessons with her. She was especially proud of him for learning how to write his letters and full name.

Being an only child, Head Start provided opportunities for Jeremiah to interact with other children his age. This, along with receiving services through Early Intervention, significantly helped his speech development. He also formed a special bond with his teacher, Ms. Sarah.

“As a parent, I wanted my son to be somewhere he would feel safe, loved, supported and excited to learn,” Anjelica said. “Head Start provided all of that and so much more.”

All the while, Anjelica was gaining confidence as a parent and learning how to advocate for her son. She came to understand how important the early years are in a child’s life – a lesson she carries with her now as a Head Start teacher. 

One of Anjelica’s goals in Early Head Start was to find a job, and she heard LCHS was hiring. A few months into working as a classroom aide, Anjelica knew that she wanted to become a teacher. She loved helping students learn, reach milestones and build their self-confidence. 

She completed her Child Development Associate credential within the first year and was promoted to assistant teacher the following year. Then, she earned her associate degree in early childhood education and moved up to lead teacher. Now, she’s one semester away from finishing her bachelor’s degree. 

“Being both a former Head Start parent and now a Head Start teacher gives me a different perspective. I understand what families are feeling because I was once in their position,” Anjelica said. “I know how much it means to have a teacher who genuinely cares about your child and celebrates their accomplishments. The best part of my job is knowing that I can make a difference in a child’s life, even through the smallest moments.”

Anjelica said Head Start is more than a place for children to learn their letters, numbers and shapes. Designed to focus on the whole family, the program offers comprehensive support to parents and caregivers that can impact their lives in varied ways. It takes the strengths, needs and experiences of each child and their family into account and meets them where they are. 

“I have seen the difference Head Start made in my son’s life, and now I get to be part of making that same difference for other children,” she said. “That is something I will always be proud of.”

By Brooke Williams, Community Advocate