Reflections On Our Lead Teacher Workforce Program
The Neighborhood Villages Lead Teacher Program is wrapping up strong!
In 2023, we received a contract to work in partnership with the City of Boston, Community Advocates for Young Learners (CAYL), and the Good Jobs Challenge through the U.S. Economic Development Administration to begin a 2-year early education and care workforce development project. What we developed through that collaboration was a one-of-a-kind program supporting hard-working educators seeking career advancement through Lead Teacher certification.
With the program winding down this summer, we wanted to reflect on all that has been accomplished.
Through the Lead Teacher Program, Neighborhood Villages’ small but mighty team partnered with child care programs across MA to identify educators seeking to advance their credentials and their careers. The team helped each individual educator determine which higher education courses they needed to become Lead Teacher qualified, provided essential assistance to students through enrollment and course completion t, and worked with Fisher College, our invaluable college partner for this project, to offer additional academic support for program participants, a benefit not normally available to participants in non-degree workforce programs.
Thanks to this team, 94 educators have completed the requirements towards their Lead Teacher certification since the start of the program, with 140 registered for courses this January. A total of 300+ educators have enrolled in the program to date.
We heard firsthand from many wonderful educators who reflected on their experiences completing the Lead Teacher program with Neighborhood Villages’ support. Check out some of their stories, here!
Lindsey Ivaldi is a certified infant and toddler preschool teacher who has worked in Norwood for the past five years and is the mother of two young children. After her co-lead teacher encouraged her to pursue her Lead Teacher certification, she began her journey with Neighborhood Villages.
“It has been absolutely incredible. Because I’m a full-time parent, full-time student, and full-time employee, I needed that work-life balance and these accelerated 8-week courses really just kind of fit into your back pocket–it’s perfect.”
Kristen Balcells has been in the field of child care for almost 28 years. She owned and operated her own home daycare for 10 years and is now currently a preschool teacher in Somerville.
“When this opportunity came to pursue my Lead Teacher certification through Neighborhood Villages, with the help of my employer, I took the opportunity. It has been both challenging and rewarding. The support is wonderful. There is always somewhere or someone I can get help from. I have learned a lot and am still learning in my third and final term.”
Mackendy Sauveur is working as a preschool teacher in Woburn and has always felt that his calling is teaching and supporting the growth of young learners.
“This program provided me with a structured approach to enhance my understanding of teaching, methodologies, classroom management, and strategies to effectively support my students and colleagues. It has also equipped me with the tools to advance my career while I’m continuing to make a meaningful impact in my community.”
We are so proud of what we have been able to build to meet the needs of aspiring lead teachers across the Commonwealth through our Lead Teacher program, and we look forward to opportunities to build upon this important work in the future.
