It’s lunch time at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start’s Lovejoy Center, and the pitter patter of little feet are amplified just a bit too loud. Parent Lateyka Vaughan steps to the office door and gives directives in a pleasant, but firm tone.
“I can hear running. We walk inside, and please use your inside voices,” said Vaughan, 2019 Illinois Head Start Parent of the Year. “I love being here. If I could, I would come every day.”
Vaughan received the top award during the 2019 Illinois Head Start Association’s Annual Conference from March 27-29 at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
Vaughan’s four-year-old daughter, Nyomi Zackery, has been at the Lovejoy Head Start Center since 2017, and Vaughan has served as a parent volunteer since that time.
“Because of my job, I can only be here about once a week,” said Vaughan, somewhat apologetically. “I want to support my child, the children, and the teachers and staff in Head Start. I know this is a hard job.”
“Ms. Vaughan has been an excellent parent volunteer,” said Kay Robertson, Lovejoy Head Start Center coordinator who nominated Vaughan. “We are pleased that she is such a willing and wonderful worker. She genuinely cares about the children, the teachers and the staff.”
Vaughan sees herself as a school partner, because the mother of two is resolute about teaching her children at home.
“Parents as teachers is crucial for children’s learning. I taught Nyomi her ABC’s, colors and numbers,” said Vaughan. “You have to have the mindset that you want better for your children. One way to do that is through education and partnership.”
“What makes for a good Head Start experience is the parents, teachers, staff and the children all collaborating,” explained Vaughan. “For parents, it’s important to be hands-on and build relationships with the ‘at-school parents.’”
Vaughan credits Head Start for teaching and expanding her child’s education and skills. “Head Start has helped Nyomi with people skills, good communication, daily routines, spelling and more.”
“I wish there could be Head Starts through high school, because of the structure they provide,” she continued.
Vaughan will be among one of many to receive accolades and awards at the SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Parent Awards Luncheon at 11 a.m. Friday, April 12 at Our Lady of the Shrine Restaurant and Banquet Center in Belleville.
The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start program serves more than 1,700 families and youth from birth to age five (including children with special needs) in St. Clair County. The program includes 14 early childhood centers, seven managed directly and seven collaborations. Services include a rigorous school readiness comprehensive program that includes educational programs for family members, and health and dental screenings.
Photo: Lateyka Vaughan, of Brooklyn, is the 2019 Illinois Head Start Parent Teacher of the Year. Her four-year-old daughter, Nyomi, is a student at the Lovejoy Head Start Center.