Rebecca Gonzales Prescott Valley, AZ Rebecca is a teacher at Grannie's House in Prescott Valley, which is a five star home program. Rebecca is currently a First Things First College Scholar recipient and working toward her Associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Yavapai Community College. Read a message from Rebecca: When I left high school, I was lost and didn’t know what my passion was. For four years, I changed my major more times than I can count and…

Morgann Bell Tucson, AZ Morgann is a lead teacher at Imagine Preschool at Innovation Academy in Tucson, AZ. As a First Things First scholar recipient and with funding from the Pima North Regional Partnership Council, Morgann graduated in May from Western New Mexico University with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Read a message from Morgann: I started my college career nearly nine years ago when I graduated from high school. College was always my expectation and goal since I…

Lily Mills Tempe, AZ Lily is a junior at McClintock High School and is currently taking dual-enrollment courses in Early Childhood Education through the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Lily is able to participate as a dual-enrollment student with assistance from the First Things First College Scholarship, while gaining teaching experiencing at the McClintock High School Child Development Preschool. Read a message from Lily: I have good teachers, such as Ms. Janice Smith, who has been great in helping me. …

Irene Montes Yuma, AZ Irene is a preschool teacher at Chicanos Por La Causa Yuma Head Start Center in Yuma, AZ. She is currently a First Things First College Scholarship recipient and attending Arizona Western College (AWC) for her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. Read a message from Irene: Hace un año y cuatro meses entre a trabajar a Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) como bus aide. Conforme pasaban los días disfrutaba más a los niños y sentí la necesidad…

Celena Ambrose Holbrook, AZ Celena is a teacher at Nacog Head Start in Holbrook, AZ. Celena is currently a First Things First College Scholar recipient and graduated in May with her Associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Northland Pioneer College. Read a message from Celena: Within my family I was pushed to continue my education after high school. Through their words of encouragement, I was able to push through and achieve my first degree. When thinking about supports that helped…

Elaina Sotelo Safford, AZ Elaina is a lead teacher at Easter Seals Blake Foundation - Palomita Children's Center, a five star center located in Safford, AZ. As a First Things First College Scholar recipient, Elaina was able to attend Eastern Arizona College and pursue her degree in Early Childhood Education and graduated in May with her Associate degree. Read a message from Elaina: I would like to share my journey with you. I grew up in a small town in…

Hope Siow Whiteriver, AZ Hope is a White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT) scholar who recently completed her AAEC from Northland Pioneer College. She's a lead teacher at WMAT Head Start. Read a message from Hope: My children, Tyren & Greyson are my first inspirations. As the world is ever changing, children on the reservation need educators who gain new knowledge to bring into the classroom to help them flourish and become the best individual they can be in all aspects of their life. I…

NAEYC Virtual Institute provides six weeks of newly recorded presentations to support your professional development, and is open to anyone who is interested in some of the latest research and best practices in early childhood education. Starting June 1, 2020, NAEYC will offer over 100 presentations of content shared by NAEYC experts and a diverse group of presenters from all sectors of the industry. The presenters include policy experts, higher education faculty, school leaders, researchers, and educators. While typically this…