I have worked as an Early Head Start teacher since August 2017. I started working in August 2016 as a Part-time extended teacher in Jo Sheppard and was at that position for almost a year. Thanks to Mid-Florida, I was able to get FCCPC certified and was offered a full-time job as an Early Head Start teacher in Jo Sheppard as well. I have really enjoyed working with the children and their families.  It is very rewarding to be able to help in the development of the children at this early stage and know that somehow you will make a difference in their lives.

Being at MFCS has been a great experience for me.  I have worked with a lot of wonderful people over the years. 

Since my youth I have had a desire to help others and feel that the Lord has used MFCS to help me do just that.

I find it very rewarding and fulfilling working with the clients and helping them.  I love listening to their life stories and have learned so much from them.  In the end, they are the ones that have helped me.

The Head Start program provided an opportunity for my children to learn social skills, cognitive skills, and increase pre-academic skills.  The program also provided my children with the necessary tools to increase their English language communication.  In 2008, while volunteering for MFCS, Head Start gave me the opportunity to grow as a professional in the field of education and I began working as a teacher in the extended care program.  In that same year, I was considered for the position of Assistant teacher, which I worked for three years.  Upon finishing my Bachelor in Education in 2011, I was promoted to the position of Teacher until last year, 2017. In July 2017, I started in the position as a Child Development Specialist.  

I want to thank MFCS Head Start for giving me the opportunity to move up the ladder.  I have learned and expanded my knowledge greatly. This opportunity has allowed me to contribute to the achievements and goals of the program.

I feel the work I do every day makes a difference to the people in our community. The job and the work are interesting, challenging and rewarding; it's exciting to be part of Mid Florida Community Services, a company that fills a void in the community. I know when I go home that I truly did something meaningful and important.

My name is Kenya Wallace, I am the mother of four amazing children ages 24, 20, 17 and 13 and absolutely gorgeous,   amazing grandson who is my joy! I have been in the education field for over 25 years, and knew since I was five years old, that I would be a teacher. I love children and teaching…being a mother and a teacher are the two things I know I was destined to be! I have my Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s in Early Childhood Education, so you can see how passionate I am about teaching. I have been employed with Head Start for almost nine years. I have learned the most from Head Start during my years working for them, by furthering my education, along with working with different teachers and assistants. This allows me to learn different strategies and techniques, helping me  become a better teacher. 

My Head Start journey began in 2004 when I applied at the agency and  was hired as a Teacher’s Assistant.  I was still in college, married for two years, and a mom of a 1 year old little girl. I was excited about the opportunity to grow in my field of study. Two more little girls later, I continued to work for Head Start and attend college.  With hard work and determination, I was able to graduate with my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Development and Education. Head Start played a big role in helping me finish my degree.

I feel humbled in being able to serve the children and the families that I work with.  It has been a very rewarding experience in which I am thankful.

I have been working at MFCS since 2015 as a Family Advocate. I came from Puerto Rico in 2013. I completed my Master’s Degree in Business Administration-Management and Leadership. I came to Florida as a single mom with English as a second language. I had the same struggles that our families are confronting day by day. During my employment research I was referred to Head Start. Working here makes a difference in the lives of so many families, and brings me a wonderful joy. I have the chance to form relationships with the families, help set their goals, assist with their struggles and share in the things they love the most. It is great to see how the families grow and become more self-sufficient and to know you are there for them. In every parent meeting and family engagement activity you have the chance to bond with the families and show them how much you care.

I have been with Mid Florida Community Services Head Start as a teacher for the past 10 years. It has been my privilege to work here; I feel that this agency operates with integrity and compassion. I have the best co-workers and supervisors and I believe they have brought out the best in me as well. I love all my children and I enjoy getting to know their families over the years. I treasure the many lasting friendships I have acquired through this place. Through the Grace of God , I hope to be here for many more years to come.

 For nearly seven years, I have had the opportunity to be part of the MFCS’ Community Services Department team.  Mid Florida Community Services not only allowed me to grow professionally, but personally. It has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience working with individuals, families, and community partners to support the agency's vision and mission.

It is a joy and a pleasure to be able to get the parents and children engaged together. I love watching their progress throughout the year. I love my job and look forward to many more years with Mid Florida Community Services.

I joined the Head Start Family in 1999 when I stopped by to ask about volunteering. I ended up applying to be a substitute and started working right away. I worked as a Teacher’s Assistant for a short time and then as a Teacher. I enjoyed my time in the classroom very much, but decided that working as a Family Advocate would be even more fulfilling.  After spending seven years in the classroom, I changed my educational path to become a Family Advocate. I have enjoyed this role for the last 12 years and still find it to be a learning experience. I was also a Head Start parent and grandparent many years ago. I’m very grateful for the opportunities and encouragement that Head Start has provided for me and for my family.

My experience with Head Start and Mid Florida Community Services has been amazingly eye opening. We work together to get tasks accomplished for the sake of our children and families. Having a background in Child Welfare I use my compassion and social service expertise to serve and make sure all who I come in contact with are respected, treated fairly and given an opportunity to succeed, which is exactly what Head Start provides.

I’m from the Dominican Republic and I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing, an Associate’s Degree in Fashion Design, and Child Development Associate (CDA). I am a mother of two wonderful children that I love. Both my children attended Head Start, and they keep me very busy in their sport activities.

I began in Head Start as a volunteer in 2009, when my son began attending, because I like to be involved in all that my children are doing. It was then that I discovered that I like to work with children. 

I have worked with Head Start since August, 2013 as a Center Aide and until August, 2017, when I began as a Teacher Assistant at the Spring Hill location.

 “I LOVE WORKING WITH CHILDREN & FAMILIES”.

In 2012, I moved to Florida seeking employment and found an opening at Mid Florida Community Services Head Start as a center aide. I worked for a year and a half as a center aid and an opening for a teaching assistant opened up. I was so excited when I applied for the position and was accepted! From there, Mid Florida Community Services Head Start helped me go back to school and obtain my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and in 2014 I became a lead teacher in a Head Start classroom. I love Head Start and all it stands for and want to serve families and children as much as I can. In the summer of 2017, I accepted the position of a Child Development Specialist. This position allows me to impact the lives of multiple families as I supervise seven classrooms in both Head Start and Early Head Start. I am forever thankful to Head Start for giving me my start and to Mid Florida Community Services Head Start for their continued support and contributions to my success that I may share it with others!

I graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, worked as a Math teacher for one year until the opportunity to work for Head Start in Puerto Rico was presented to me. I started working for the Head Start program in Puerto Rico in 1999, where I had the blessing to work as a teacher until December, 2012 when my mom and I made the decision to move to Florida.

I became employed with Mid Florida Head Start in 2004.  I have to thank Mrs. Pat Medico, Donna Mass and Judi Maloy for believing in me even with my language barrier and giving me the opportunity, encouragement and support all the time.

Both of my children had the blessing of participating in the program and every day I can see the impact their great and caring teachers made in their lives.

I have to say that working with Early Childhood children and their families has been the most beautiful experience. Thank you, Mid Florida Community Services for the opportunity and support to serve our program and families.