KT's Story

I am a teacher at the University of Northern Iowa Child Development Center, and also a parent. I am currently finishing up my fourth year as a Lead Teacher for the toddler age. I have worked in the early childhood field in Early Head Start, Head Start, and community Preschool programs since I graduated from UNI in December of 2003, with my Bachelor of Art degrees in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. My passion for the necessity and value of early childhood education is unprecedented.

My background of school is such that I honestly despised going to school as a youngster and all the way to college. Until I got to UNI. I began my education courses, and found, not only what I was good and doing, but what I LOVED doing, and am now getting my MAE in Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction. I found that the way I had been taught growing up was the biggest obstacle I faced, and that if I had been taught as an individual (taking into account my various learning disabilities), then I would have really enjoyed school. I completely instill this in my current teaching with my young students, and also push that work amongst the field experience students I mentor each semester: INDIVIDUALITY. Working at the CDC has been the most profound place for me to fully administer my personal philosophy on teaching all children. It has the highest quality of any child care center I have worked at, and the team and families involved all seem to grasp the importance of early childhood education, as well.

Currently, the CDC is facing its toughest challenge to date: reducing classroom sizes from 6 to 4. Here are the quick points I can think of that will greatly be impacted from this reduction:

• 25 families displaced from one of the most recognized quality programs in the country
• Future field experience students needing quality mentorship diminished, therefore not receiving the quality education to become fully capacitated teachers
• Early Head Start/Head Start funding being affected, directly impacting all families involved
• NAEYC, IAEYC, QRS, and various other services that recognize the CDC as being high quality, pulling their support
• Teachers within the classroom not being afforded the opportunity to care for and educate children in the quality manner needed for early childhood care (as directed by the various facilities and services mentioned above)
• Student staff not receiving the work experience they need to enter the educational work field
• A LARGE increase in the already long waiting list
• Faculty/Staff interested and qualified for various employment opportunities throughout the entire university forced into not taking UNI positions due to lack of child care availability to all

My son is a current student at the CDC, and I have loved watching him thrive at this facility. It is my hope that others will continue to see their children be ready to enter the elementary level thanks to the quality care we challenge ourselves to fulfill everyday. Our jobs at the CDC are much more than jobs. Our “jobs” are love for the entire family we work with, passion for educating children early and preparing them for the world they are facing with integrity and autonomy, being parents and friends to many, and to expand our own learning to continue in the early education of others. The University of Northern Iowa is the best place I can personally think of to do this.

Kathleen M. Thornton-Lang, Child Development Specialist

University of Northern Iowa Child Development Center