"Earning the IDC has provided me with a sense of accomplishment in the Early Childhood field."

Lazetta Farnham

Director
Richland Child Development Center
Richland Community College, Decatur, IL
Level III

Lazetta was involved in the IDC pilot program and was among the first participants to have earned the IDC in Illinois. She has been the director of the Richland Child Development Center since 1983.

Before being employed at Richland, Lazetta had previously worked in two full time day care centers, substituted at a Head Start program, and worked with children who had special needs for field work while she attended the University of Illinois at Springfield to earn a BA in Children and Family Community Services.

Lazetta has presented at conferences at Parkland Community College in Champaign, Danville Community College, and at the CAEYC conference in Springfield. She has also presented workshops involving working with families and diversity at the “Walking With Diversity” conference at Richland and at the “Thirty-first Annual Statewide Conference for Teachers of Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students” in Oakbrook. Lazetta has presented workshops on involving children with nature at “Rock Springs Nature Center” and has presented on “Professionalism in Early Childhood” at the Anna Waters Head Start program in Decatur. In addition, she has served as adjunct faculty at Richland Community College since 1991 and has taught “Children’s Literature”, “Art, Music, and Drama”, “Math and Science”, and “School-age Child Care”.

Earning the IDC motivated Lazetta to continue her education by enrolling at National-Louis University. She graduated with a Masters in Education in Early Childhood Administration in June 2006. As a Professional Growth Advisor, Lazetta has assisted directors toward earning the IDC and is now continuing to assist others as a Professional Growth Advisor through Gateways to Opportunity. Lazetta serves on the Early Childhood Education Advisory committee at Richland, Prairieland Early Childhood Conference committee, and is a member of the Macon County Child Care Director’s Association. She received Richland’s “Above and Beyond” award in January 2008.

Lazetta has taught Sunday school, children’s church, vacation bible school, and has presented children’s sermons at Dalton City United Methodist Church for over 25 years where she has been a member since she was a child. She has three sons and assists her husband with Cub Scout and Boy Scout activities. Lazetta enjoys playing the piano and crafts. Her family pets include a dog, a goldfish, and a rabbit.