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"In
this field I want to make a difference, and I feel that I have."
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Deborah Rogers-Jaye
Site Director
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago - Valentine
A.S.D.C
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"The Illinois Director Credential has placed the 'Stamp of
Approval' on the field of Early Childhood (long overdue). Receiving this
credential makes you feel more of a professional and accepted in a field that
is on the rise toward more extensive professional developments."
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Deborah was awarded the Level I Illinois Director Credential in May 2000. She
has been the director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago - Valentine A.S.D.C
for over 5 years, and is currently working on her Masters Degree in Early
Childhood Education at Erikson Institute.
She entered the Early Childhood field as a volunteer at her youngest son's
preschool. After returning to school to get a degree and finish her Elementary
Ed. classes, Deborah began volunteering 3-4 hours per day.
"I've always loved being with children, so I was a 'natural' in the classroom,"
says Deborah. "I wanted to give the other kids what I was giving to my own
children, and it was a lot of fun."
That was 18 years ago and Deborah says she has enjoyed every step along the way,
from volunteering to being a site director.
She describes her professional growth in the last 18 years as "climbing a
ladder." She has:
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Taken her center successfully through NSACA accreditation
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Completed the McCormick Directors' Leadership Program
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Received the Illinois Director Credential
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Become a NSACA endorser
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Training and presented workshops for 3 years, including CAEYC, Illinois Head
Start, Illinois School-Age Conference, and the National School-Age Conference
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Formed a collaborative partnership with the Illinois Dept. of Public Aid, Child
Support Division for 3 years to provide services and training for the community
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Participated in the Next Step training to become a Professional Growth Advisor
to other IDC applicants
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Become a HeadsUp! Reading facilitator
Deborah is the mother of 3 children and a grandmother. She loves to write
(poetry), draw and make greeting cards. One day she hopes to have her own line
of greeting cards and publish a book of poems. She has also brought her love of
pets into the center, where they have rabbits, fish, and a guinea pig.
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