Minnesota Head Start Heroes 2011

Minnesota Head Start Heroes
2011
Head Start Heroes is an annual event that honors members of the Minnesota Head Start
community who overcame tremendous challenges and achieved personal and family success.
These children, families, alumni and staff members have been selected by the Minnesota
Head Start Association Scholarships and Awards Committee based on compelling, personal
testimonies about their Head Start experience and how they were able to transform
their lives. The Head Start Heroes epitomize how determination, fortitude and access
to early learning and whole-family approaches can pave the way to lifelong success.
Minnesota Head Start Heroes Ceremony
Hosted by the Minnesota Head Start Association, Inc. at the Science Museum of Minnesota,
March 24, 2011
The Minnesota Head Start Association (MHSA) mission is to advocate for low-income families and
inspire high standards of service for young children by providing innovative leadership and programs
to help children, families, and communities reach their full potential.
The 2011 Minnesota Head Start Heroes
are recognized in six categories:
C AT E G O RY O N E
> Donna LaDuke, Northwest Community Action Head Start
Head Start individuals who
have become leaders in the
local community.
> Andrea Koczur, Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership Head Start
> Joaquim Harris, Duluth Public Schools Head Start
> Yusuf Abdurahmann, Parents in Community Action Head Start
C AT E G O RY T W O
Head Start families who
have accomplished significant
life transformations.
> Heather Christensen, Minnesota Valley Action Council Head Start
C AT E G O RY T H R E E
Head Start children who
have made tremendous
developmental progress.
> Matthew Bailey, Lakes & Pines Community Action Head Start
> KariAnn Heinonen-Bergeson, Mahube Community Council Head Start
C AT E G O RY F O U R
Head Start parents
who have become early
childhood professionals.
> Mary Johnson, Tri-Valley Opportunity Council Head Start
C AT E G O RY F I V E
ead Start individuals who have
H
made cultural and linguistic
contributions to Minnesota.
> Isabel Mendoza, Three Rivers Community Action Head Start
C AT E G O RY S I X
Head Start graduates who
have achieved exceptional
personal success.
> Cindy Boudreaux, Tri-Valley Opportunity Council Head Start
The Minnesota Head Start Association (MHSA) mission is to advocate for low-income families and inspire high standards of service for
young children by providing innovative leadership and programs to help children, families, and communities reach their full potential.
Northwest Community
Action Head Start
Donna LaDuke
C a t e g o r y O N E w i nn e r
In 2005, my daughter Felicia was murdered as a result of domestic violence.
My husband and I began a four-year long court process to become our
grandson Elijah’s adoptive parents. He was only 18 months old when his
mother was murdered and his father incarcerated.
Since Felicia had been serving in the military in Hawaii, Elijah was kept in
a Hawaiian foster care program. It took 14 months before my husband and I
were finally able to bring him home to Minnesota. At that time, Elijah was
almost three years old and had practically no verbal skills, he didn’t make eye
contact, didn’t know how to hold a pencil or crayon, and didn’t know what it
was like to have a book read to him.
We decided to enroll Elijah in the Warroad Head Start program. The teachers
were able to address and correct Elijah’s behavioral challenges. The staff worked with me on a
consistent basis to ensure that routines were followed correctly at home and in the classroom.
They also provided our family with a variety of information through the Head Start Family
Partnership process.
Head Start played an integral role not only in Elijah’s development – it gave me the foundation
I needed to become a leader and advocate in our community. In 2008, I was elected to Northwest’s
Policy Council, and I am currently serving my third term on the board. I have been a member of
the Minnesota Head Start Association (MHSA) and have served as Policy Council Chairperson
for the past two years. Head Start changed the course my life. Neither Elijah nor I would
be where we are today without the unconditional support and opportunities provided by the
Minnesota Head Start staff.
Last year, Donna received the Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota (PCAMN) Parent Leadership
award and was asked by PCAMN to serve on two legislative committees: Child Welfare Reform
and Child Custody and Permanency. In her efforts to put a stop to domestic violence, Donna also
became a member of the Sheila Wellstone Institute, using her daughter’s story as a case study
for judges, attorneys and other members of the court.
2011 Minnesota Head Start Heroes
Lakes & Prairies Community
Action Partnership Head Start
Andrea Koczur
C at e g o ry o n e w i n n e r
I began my journey with the Clay-Wilkin Head Start program 23 years ago as
a young, single mother. Today, I am happily married with five children – four
of whom have gone through the Head Start program.
During my early years as a mother, I enrolled my kids in Head Start so I could
work my way through college at Minnesota Start University – Moorhead. I was
raised by a single mother living in poverty, and I was determined not to repeat
the cycle.
When my second child started preschool, I became very active in Head Start.
I enrolled in a home-based program and even helped get a Head Start
classroom up and running in my hometown. When I was elected Policy
Council Chairperson, I really began to believe in my potential as a leader.
In addition to the Policy Council, I also joined the Ulen-Hitterdal Early Childhood Family
Education Advisory Board. Living in a small, rural school district with limited programming,
it was very important to me that all children have access to quality early childhood education.
I served on the Ulen-Hitterdal board for 12 years, and I am currently serving as the vice-chair.
In this role, I was able to help secure a multi-million dollar bond for the construction of a new
K-12 school in Ulen, Minnesota.
All of these experiences helped me learn and grow as a person. My role as a community advocate
led to my election as clerk of our township and secretary of the Minnesota Association of Town
Boards. I was responsible for assisting local residents access services, as well as training clerks and
treasurers around the state. I’ve served in the local township for 13 years and for the past three years,
I have been a member of the Clay County Planning Commission.
I have served nine years on the Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership Board, three
of which I served as chair, I am retiring from the Board this year. I’m proud to say that all of my
children are in college, or preparing to enter college or the military. Head Start gave our family
the support, education and confidence to grow into healthy, successful, contributing members of
our community. It would be a tragic loss for communities across Minnesota to lose access to these
essential programs because of congressional budget cuts. Head Start changes lives on a daily basis.
I hope our elected officials recognize the power of Head Start and do the right thing when it comes to
protecting and serving the people in their districts.
2011 Minnesota Head Start Heroes
Duluth Public Schools
Head Start
Joaquim Harris
C at e g o ry o n e w i n n e r
I was working as a hotel general manager when the tragedy of 9/11 struck.
Months later, the hotel industry was struggling and I could no longer afford my
car or apartment. I could not support my wife and our newborn baby. Without
an education, and no other work experience, I had no real choices. We ended up
spending the next five years living with my in-laws. I felt like a failure and less
than a man.
Then something wonderful happened to us. My wife researched Duluth Head
Start, and we were able to enroll our daughter in the program. It was exactly
what we needed to move forward in the right direction.
My wife wanted to be involved in our children’s education and decided to join
Head Start’s Parent Policy Council. It concerned me that there were no men on
the Council. As a father, and a man of color, I felt it was important to be involved. During the first
year, I listened and tried to understand the important issues. The following year, I was ready to move
into a leadership position. I decided to run for President of the Policy Council and the Head Start
director, counselors, and teachers were very supportive of my efforts. I never missed a meeting and
felt that I was able to make positive changes within the program.
When our oldest daughter graduated from Head Start and moved on to Kindergarten, I made a
commitment to finish my own education. I wanted to lead by example so our girls would know
not just the value of education, but no matter what difficulties you may face in life, you can
accomplish anything you put your mind to.
Before Head Start became part of our daily lives, I was barely making minimum wage and I
had very little education. With support from Head Start programs, both my wife and I graduated
from The College of St. Scholastica. I have since taken a position as a Personnel Analyst in
St. Louis County.
Although it’s not part of my job requirement, twice a month I give presentations to job club members
who are on state assistance. I help prepare them for job interviews and assist them with research and
resume preparation. I also do this with Community Action Duluth and our local high schools.
Head Start was instrumental in preparing our family for success. I am extremely grateful to the
people in the program who gave me the support I needed to reach my goals. I feel it is my duty, but
most of all my honor, to give back to the community that has given me so much. Head Start gave me
dignity when I was too proud to take assistance. Participating on the Policy Council gave me purpose
and an opportunity to be a leader in our community. The employees gave me hope and direction.
2011 Minnesota Head Start Heroes
Parents in Community
Action Head Start
Yusuf Abdurahmann
C at e g o ry o n e w i n n e r
As a parent of three Head Start graduates, I have participated in many activities
and trainings made available through PICA Head Start. I was initially hired by
PICA as a driver. By 2004 I had advanced to the PICA Cross Cultural Team
and started teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. I also teach
Somali classes to parents and staff who are interested in learning more about the
language and culture.
My Head Start experiences led me to become an active member in my
community. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the International
School, where my children are enrolled. At times there are misunderstandings
among the co-principals, teachers, parents, and staff due to the range of cultural
differences. At one point, the internal conflicts were so tense that the school’s
funding was threatened if the conflicts were not quickly resolved. I intervened
by introducing a more respectful dialogue that helped ease tensions and rebuild relationships. As a
result, the school continues to thrive and is currently educating over 1,000 students.
It also is very important to me to be active in the local Somali community. I am a naturalized U.S.
citizen and an active voter. I try to engage the Somali community by educating adults regarding
the legislative process in America and the responsibilities of citizenship. I recently was given the
honor of being appointed by the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Department of Psychiatry to
conduct research to determine the reason Somali youth might be leaving the United States to fight
in Somalia.
My family received the foundation it needed to succeed from Head Start in Minnesota. The
experience and training I received from PICA Head Start has allowed me to better guide my
children through their education and impress on them the privilege, importance, and responsibility
of being an American citizen.
2011 Minnesota Head Start Heroes
Minnesota Valley Action
Council Head Start
Heather Christensen
C at e g o ry T W O w i n n e r
Six months ago, I was attending drug court, had low self-esteem and was
struggling to learn how to read. I was trying to figure out how to raise my
daughter Faith on my own, without support from family or friends. When
Head Start set Faith and me up with a Home Visitor, it changed everything.
Our Home Visitor was patient, supportive and kind. She quickly addressed
the learning challenges that my daughter and I both faced. She brought a new
book to each weekly visit. At first I was embarrassed to read in front of her,
but she worked with me and encouraged me to read to Faith every day.
I started to see changes in Faith right away. She is now able to label colors and
shapes and can count to 20 and beyond. She can write her first and last name
without help – and best of all – her behavior has improved. She respects me
more and interacts with other people better because her attention span has increased. This would
not have happened without the discipline techniques I learned from our Home Visitor.
We are so fortunate that we found Head Start when we did. Faith was at a critical stage in
her development and needed to start building the life skills that early childhood education
provides. Our Home Visitor introduced me to tools I could use to support my daughter’s
healthy development.
Thanks to Head Start, I have gained a sense of self-confidence, secured a house for Faith
and myself, finished drug court, improved my relationships with family members, drastically
improved my reading skills and recently started a new job. I was headed down the wrong path
and Head Start was there to help readjust my journey.
2011 Minnesota Head Start Heroes
Lakes & Pines Community
Action Head Start
Matthew Bailey
C at e g o ry t h r e e w i n n e r
When I first enrolled my son Matthew in Head Start, he had just turned three
and could barely talk. He had a difficult time communicating and would
become frustrated easily. Matthew was diagnosed with Autism earlier that
year, and we were doing what we could to ensure that he received all the help
he needed.
With the help of Head Start, Matthew has come so far in just a short time.
Less than two years ago, Matthew was functioning at a level equivalent to a
one year old. Today, he has progressed developmentally to just about where
he needs to be. Matthew has learned to communicate through sign language
and speaking. He learned most of his sign language during Head Start Home
Visit sessions. He has also learned to follow important routines such as hand
washing and getting dressed.
Matthew said “mommy” for the first time about a year ago. I was shocked. It took hearing it a
couple times before it sunk in that Matthew was finally calling me mom and knew what it meant!
After that, more words came. Now he will try to repeat almost anything I say.
When Matthew first came to Head Start, he was very distant from others and socialization was
a struggle. Now it’s easier. He plays, listens, and shows interest in learning. I honestly believe
that he wouldn’t be where he is today without the tremendous help and support we have received
from Head Start. My family, friends, and even other parents have all said how Matthew seems
like a totally different child. It’s amazing to me how much he has learned and how far he has
come. Thank you Head Start!
2011 Minnesota Head Start Heroes
Mahube Community
Council Head Start
KariAnn Heinonen-Bergeson
C at e g o ry t h r e e w i n n e r
We enrolled our daughter KariAnn in the Mahube Early Head Start Home
Base program when she turned two. She was a slow learner because she
was born 12 weeks premature, with a birth defect that affected her brain,
eyesight and ability to speak.
When KariAnn first began her Early Head Start journey, she would
bite, kick, hit and scratch others around her. She was a non-verbal
child, making only grunts, squeals and screams to communicate what
she needed.
Together, the special education teacher and Head Start Home Visitor found
successful ways to teach KariAnn how to share, ask for a toy through sign
language, and interact appropriately with adults and other children. By the
time she was ready to transition to Head Start, KariAnn had made great strides in her progress,
using single words and two word phrases to express her wants and needs.
She is becoming more independent, learning self-help skills like taking off her jacket, putting on
her shoes, and brushing her teeth. At Head Start, she is expected to pick up her toys and she does
this at home now too. Her growth socially, emotionally and physically has been a joy to share
with her teachers and other parents.
When KariAnn started Head Start Family Child Care last fall, she was shy in her new environment
and didn’t talk much. Through the consistent efforts of her Head Start child care provider and
the special education staff, KariAnn has blossomed into a bright, articulate little girl. Now she
verbalizes to teachers what she needs and communicates what she is doing, along with what
she sees other children doing. She continues to learn new words daily and plays with the other
children. We could not be any happier to see that she is making friends.
We are extremely grateful to Head Start for helping us give KariAnn the education and life
opportunities she deserves – that all children deserve. We don’t know where we’d be if it weren’t
for the Head Start teachers and staff. Thank you!
2011 Minnesota Head Start Heroes
Tri-Valley Opportunity
Council Head Start
Mary Johnson
C at e g o ry f o u r w i n n e r
My life began in a small rural town in Northwestern Minnesota. My parents
believed in adventures which meant we moved around a lot. Shortly after my
father died, our family sat and reminisced about the number of times we moved
during the 35 years that my parents were married. The number was staggering
– 42 moves. When a child is exposed to constant changes in their surroundings,
learning how to adapt to new situations can be very difficult.
I met my future husband when I was 14 years old. We were married a year later
and blessed with four wonderful children. Our little family filled my life with
love and meaning. We decided early in our marriage that moving was not on the
agenda and, for the first time, I experienced a sense of belonging to a community.
My journey with Head Start began in 1977, when our oldest son was accepted
into the program. At the time, I was a young, unemployed mother of three without a high school
diploma. Our son was very apprehensive about his first day at the Head Start center. He crawled
under his bed and clung to the springs, begging me not to make him go. I compromised with him
and not only did he attend Head Start that day, so did I. We both had to adjust to being outside of
our comfort zones.
We were welcomed into the program by wonderful and caring people who believed in the mission of
Head Start and knew exactly how to make us feel comfortable. After just two weeks, I was elected
President of the Parent Committee. I was also bestowed the honor of being voted in as Policy
Council Representative.
Two months later, I decided to apply for the position of bus driver and paraprofessional. The
following Monday, I began my 34-year career as a Head Start staff member. During that same year,
I started going to school at night and worked hard to obtain my GED. Without encouragement from
the Head Start staff, I would not have pursued either of these accomplishments. I also would not
have gone on to earn my Early Childhood degree if it weren’t for the financial support provided by
Head Start Professional Development funding.
Head Start and the Tri-Valley Opportunity Council helped me achieve milestones that I could not
fathom doing on my own. They showed me that I have potential and capabilities beyond my own
expectations. I would have never traveled down this road without the moral and financial support
that I received from the Head Start family. I am proud to say that I believe in the Head Start program
with all my heart, and I am honored to be able to help other Head Start families achieve their dreams.
2011 Minnesota Head Start Heroes
Three Rivers Community
Action Head Start
Isabel Mendoza
C at e g o ry f i v e w i n n e r
From 1983-1985, my parents enrolled me in the Head Start program. When I
had my own children, I knew that I wanted them to attend our local Head Start
center. With my kids in Head Start, it gave me the opportunity to go back to
school and complete my GED.
I became very involved with my children’s Head Start experience. I joined the
Policy Council, attended all parent meetings, and became a bi-lingual teacher.
Working at Head Start inspired me to continue my studies in the field of Early
Childhood education. I graduated from Rasmussen College with an Associate
Degree in Child Development and went on to Minnesota State University –
Mankato. I am currently taking courses at Crown College and will graduate
with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood education this fall.
Head Start gave me the tools I needed to become a leader and role model in our community.
One of the ways I became more involved was coordinating a youth group called Chica Latina.
We take junior girls in the program on college tours and teach them about the various ways they
can advance their education.
I truly believe that Head Start changes lives and shows so many children and families across the
country how they can achieve their dreams. I am proud to be part of the Head Start family and it
is my honor to give back to a community that has given me so much.
2011 Minnesota Head Start Heroes
Tri-Valley Opportunity
Council Head Start
Cindy Boudreaux
C at e g o ry s i x w i n n e r
I come from a large, poor family of seven and many of our relatives lived
with us throughout the year. My mother did not work outside the home and
my father was a farm hand in Pennsylvania who did not get paid on a regular
basis. My mother made our clothes and sometimes we received hand-medowns from family members. Our house was an old sawmill. Some of the
rooms had wood floors and some had dirt floors.
I graduated as a Head Start student in 1967. I remember going to the center
once a week. One morning, I was served hard brown things in milk for
breakfast. I thought to myself, “I am not going to eat that!” The hard brown
things were Cheerios, which I had never seen before since we were only
served hot cereal at home. I also remember getting an orange for snack time
and I was so excited to receive such a wonderful gift and it wasn’t even
Christmas. I wanted to save it and bring it home to show my mother and share with my family
but the teacher told me to eat it.
Not many people came to our house besides family members, so having a Head Start Home
Visitor was a big deal. She was beautiful. She wore pantyhose, lip stick and a store-bought
dress and I thought, “It isn’t even Sunday.” She brought nutrition sheets to help my mother
cook healthy meals. She also brought paper for my siblings and me to color on. It was always
very exciting to have the Home Visitor come to our house. It made my family happy and made
my mother feel important and respected. I knew that when I grew up, I wanted to be just like
our Home Visitor.
A few years ago, my mother was cleaning out the attic and came across the nutrition sheets.
She kept them because it had meant so much to her that someone thought about her and wanted
to help our family. When I became a licensed nurse in 1993, I applied and took the position of
Health Assistant for Tri-Valley Head Start. With the assistance of staff development funds from
Head Start, I was able to go further in school and get my Registered Nursing degree. Now, I’m
a Registered Nurse working for Tri-Valley Head Start as a Health Service Manager.
I believe in Head Start’s mission and purpose. Head Start gave my mother the skills and respect
to empower her children to succeed in life. I am honored to be part of the Head Start family and
give back to the community.
2011 Minnesota Head Start Heroes