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Level II
Illinois Director Credential
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Thelma Young
Director
Kennedy-King College Child Development Lab Center
Chicago, IL
Years in Position: 19 years
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“I feel this program is excellent because it provides knowledge
for me to link the Kennedy-King College Child Development Laboratory Center to
agencies that will better provide technical assistance in targeted areas where
needed. In the future, I would like to become a Consultant. As a consultant, I
can utilize my skills and training which I received from the Next Generation of
Chicago Leaders from National Louis University. I will be able to assist
individuals to become productive leaders and demonstrate the knowledge and
skills needed to become a high quality teacher. Assisting centers to keep
abreast with changes that occur in society, and give them the tools to overcome
the changes so it does not affect our goals in meeting the complete needs with
the family of a changing society and finally becoming an Advocate for
children.”
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I entered the Early Childhood Education field because I wanted to help children
and families develop to their fullest potential by providing cognitive,
language, social, physical, emotional, and personal growth activities. I
attended Kennedy-King College and Roosevelt University and have earned credits
toward my Masters degree.
The most rewarding part of my career was when I was given the task of developing
a Parent Involvement Committee and an After School Program. This Parent
Partnership Program has allowed parents to become directly involved in the
education of their children and as a result, some of the parents returned to
school to further their education. By implementing the After School Program we
have helped the school age families continue their quest for knowledge as well
as with integrating them into an enriched program.
In my professional development, I have attended workshops, conferences and
in-service training in and out of state to keep me abreast with the changes
that are occurring within the Early Childhood field. I serve on the Faculty
Advisory Board for the Early Childhood Department at Kennedy-King College. The
Center has a partnership with the Board of Education, Asthma Friendly Day Care,
Integrated Pest Management, Saint Bernard Mobile Unit Health Program, and the
Chicago Public School High Senior CNA Program. In addition I conducted
trainings and work-shops for the Chicago Public School Service Learning Program
and the Head Start Parent Partnership Program with Alex Haley.
I am the mother of three daughters and three grandchildren. My hobby is
mentoring, gardening, cooking, and sewing. I also like to visit museums.
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