EHE News
Donors support cures for societal ills:
Parents from a low-income neighborhood train as early childhood educators
Barbara and Al Siemer
12-1-11
Barbara Siemer, a retired English teacher, cares about improving the quality of life, education and employment for people, starting with those living in Columbus' economically challenged Weinland Park neighborhood.
When she and her husband, Al Siemer, heard that the neighborhood wanted more childcare resources, they made a gift from the Siemer Family Foundation, which supports long-term cures for societal ills. Their gift launched the Childcare Workforce Development Program at the college's Schoenbaum Family Center at Weinland Park.
"The program helps kids get a good start in life, improves their literacy and supports family stability. It's a win at every level," she said. "When I first heard about it, I could scarcely wait to tell my husband this wonderful idea."
Krystle Holland
The Siemers' gift enables the program to hire local residents as interns while their children attend the A. Sophie Rogers Laboratory School at the center. For 20 hours per week, the interns learn about child development, high-quality childcare and education, and health and safety standards.
Since a high school diploma or GED is required to enter, prospective interns have an incentive to finish their secondary education. Upon completing the workforce program, the interns can provide childcare in their homes, seek jobs in the field or enter higher education.
The Siemers, of Columbus and Sarasota, Fla., learned about the center from its lead private donor Betty Schoenbaum. They have committed to funding the program for three years.
Alumna draws on degree to lead program
Twyla Nared (BS '08 Human Development and Family Science, LSW '10 Social Work), from Akron, is proud to be the first coordinator of the Childcare Workforce Development Program. Her background prepared her well to work on behalf of children and families.
Twyla Nared
Growing up in an extended family, Nared helped her mother care for her siblings. During high school, she also worked with babies as a volunteer, a childcare center employee and a babysitter.
Given her experience, she said the concepts taught in the Human Development and Family Science curriculum made perfect sense. Her undergraduate degree also set the stage for her to become a licensed social worker.
"Other students in the social work program didn't have a human development background, which I considered an advantage," she said. "I understood that I need to deal with people differently according to where they are in the life span."
Nared created the curriculum for the Childcare Workforce Development Program with guidance from college experts. She recruits participants and teaches the program.
"I love thinking of creative ways to engage the women in the content and get them ready to support children's growth in the classroom," she said. "I refer to the books from my two majors, and I look for the latest articles so they get new information all the time."
Nared has noticed a buzz about the program in the neighborhood. Many people have contacted her to explore the possibility of joining.
"The ladies in the program tell their friends and families what they're learning," she said. "They even share the articles and information. They say the program is changing the way they interact with their children and neighborhood children. I think it's a very positive program."
Local woman reaps program benefits, gives back in return
Krystle Holland moved to Columbus from her hometown of Youngstown to make a fresh start after high school. Yet she experienced the challenges of homelessness before she found the Childcare Workforce Development Program.
Schoenbaum center staff met Holland and noted her friendly, compelling manner that marked her as a potential leader. When Twyla Nared invited her to train with the program, Holland was overwhelmed with joy.
"When I first came, I was hungry for information. The class has made me a better person," Holland said. "I used to have a swift temper. Now I've gained better communications and interpersonal skills. I've become more proficient on a computer and better at multitasking."
As an intern, Holland shares what she learns with family and friends, advocating the new perspective on parenting to her community. "This program has definitely provided me with a lot of insight about how to talk to children, how to give them credit for being the human beings they are," she said.
Her four-year-old nephew, for instance, was telling lies, according to Holland's sister. Holland said, in actuality, he was making up answers to questions her sister wouldn't answer, a natural response for a four-year-old.
"So I sat my sister down and explained what he was going through developmentally," Holland said. "I told her, 'Be honest with your child, answer his questions.'" Holland's nephew has stopped lying now that he gets age-appropriate answers when he asks questions.
Despite what she's gone through in life, including growing up with her aunt because of drug addiction in her family, Holland does not believe in letting the past hold her back. "If we're ever going to change the world, we've got to start with ourselves. We can make the world better. I want to play my part. "
Holland thanks Siemer for opening a door for her. "I'm thankful for the way she wants life to be for everyone. Despite how low a person can get, it gets greater later. It's my later, and I'm greater."
Writer: Janet Kiplinger Ciccone, Office of Advancement, College of Education and Human Ecology
© 2011 The Ohio State University - College of Education and Human Ecology. All Rights Reserved.
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