Educational First Steps Welcomes New Staff Members to Strengthen Support of Early Childhood Programs
Dallas, TX (PRWEB) July 23, 2013 -- Educational First Steps announced that Judy Schecter has joined EFS as Associate Development Director (Dallas), Elizabeth Nelson as Associate Development Director (Tarrant), Rashidah Smallwood as Development Coordinator (Dallas), Donna Denece and Jennifer Livas as Early Learning Specialists (Dallas) and Kellee Tyrone as Early Learning Specialist (Tarrant). These positions are all part of the expansion of Four Steps To Excellence 2.0, the newly streamlined, strategic implementation of the EFS program which has which has created quality early learning centers for economically disadvantaged children for twenty-three years.
A Development Director and consultant in Dallas for over 20 years, Schecter's fundraising and event planning skills took root in the schools her children attended. She was an avid volunteer and advocate for education, eventually leading to her positions as Development Director for Dallas Children’s Theater and WaterTower Theatre. Most recently, she has consulted with a number of nonprofits, helping to further their progress for the arts, education and health and human services.
Nelson has spent more than thirty years in the nonprofit community working in fundraising, management and consulting. She attended St. John’s College and graduated from The University of Texas with a BBA in Finance. After working for the Arts Council of Fort Worth and the American Cancer Society, Nelson served as Assistant Director of Development at The University of Texas at Arlington and then managed the Arts & Business Connection in Fort Worth. While serving as Development Director for the “I Have a Dream” Foundation, Nelson discovered her passion for quality education for all.
Rashidah S. Smallwood began her first position in the non-profit sector as a Live-in Resident Manager for mentally challenged adults. Smallwood was most recently employed by the Development Department of the University of Texas at Dallas and has years of experience in higher education, talent acquisition and financial services. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Management and is currently obtaining her Master's Degree at Strayer University in Cedar Hill.
With over ten years of experience at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Donna Denece is skilled in providing standards education to child care center staff and parents, developing and implementing curriculum and evaluating and analyzing programs to ensure and improve best practices for children. Denece has worked as a Child Care Licensing Inspector, Child Care Licensing Supervisor and Residential Child Care Licensing Inspector.
Jennifer Livas has worked as an early learning center Assistant Director, Family Teacher for Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services and has years of experience in staff management, program development and outcome measurement. Most recently, Livas was the Program Manager for Women’s and Children’s Programs for Catholic Charities of Dallas. A graduate of the University of North Texas, Livas has 20 years of experience
in working with children, 16 of which were spent in early childhood.
After completing her undergraduate studies in 2003 from Stephen F. Austin State University, Tyrone served preschool children and families in three capacities with Child Care Associates, the grantee responsible for administering Head Start services in Tarrant County. She then earned an Urban Nonprofit Management Certificate from the University of Texas at Arlington and completed a Master's of Public Administration. Tyrone has extensive experience in classroom management, social services, and staff development.
EFS is excited to welcome these skilled new staff members and looks forward to working together to help create more early learning centers of excellence for the children and communities who need them the most.
Jim Richardson, Educational First Steps, http://www.educationalfirststeps.org, 214-824-7940 108, [email protected]
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