On Saturday, November 9th, the Morgan County Early Learning Coalition, MCELC, hosted its Second Annual Fall Mini-Conference designed to support early childhood educators in Morgan County. We had over 100 early childhood educators join us for this free conference focused on professional development in preventing teacher burnout by Spark Learning Lab and Conscious Discipline by Emily Jarboe, provided time to network with other educators, received information from vendors that support early learning, and offered lunch for free.
During this year’s conference, MCELC also hosted the first annual Morgan County Provider of the Year Award. This award was designed to recognize the outstanding work that is being done in Morgan County with the early care and education of our youngest residents. MCELC received 282 nominations from our community nominating 64 early educators. There were 10 categories in which educators were awarded Outstanding Provider, and the overall Provider of the Year was chosen from those ten.
Congratulations to: Outstanding Provider for Infant Teacher, Christy Blake, Sunshine Kids Daycare Ministry; Outstanding Provider for Young Toddler Teacher, Kelsey Wilson, Artesian’s Childcare; Outstanding Older Toddler Teacher, Melissa Fiscus, The Growing Garden Learning Center; Outstanding Preschool Teacher, Randi Owens, Bauer Family Resources Head Start; Outstanding Pre-K Teacher, Stephanie Bingham, Precious Playmates Daycare Ministry; Outstanding School Age Teacher (before and after school care), Robin Buchanan, Heather’s Home Daycare; Outstanding Support Staff, JJ Clark, Bauer Family Resources, Head Start; Outstanding Home Provider, Amy Marine, Heaven’s Little Angels Family Childcare; Outstanding Administrator, Jen Palmer, The Growing Garden Learning Center; and Rookie of the Year, Dayjah Mckinney, Precious Playmates Daycare Ministry.
All 10 of these educators received trophies that were beautifully designed, created, and donated by Shields Designs in Martinsville. The Provider of the Year Award received a bigger trophy, also donated by Shields Designs, a gift card and bottle of wine from Awnie’s Restaurant in Martinsville, and a $100 gift card from Lakeshore Learning. The 1st ever winner of the Provider of the Year is Amy Marine with Heaven’s Little Angels Family Childcare.
Amy Marine has been educating young children for 26 years in Morgan County. Amy taught preschool for 6 years before being called to start up a program that filled a need for infant and toddler childcare in Mooresville. That program is now called, “Town Center Childcare.” Amy opened her own in-home program in 2017, Heaven’s Little Angels Family Childcare. Amy is also the Recreational Director for Komets Soccer Club in Mooresville and has grown that club from 250 players to almost 500 by allowing children up to age 18 years old to register and play, ensuring that all children have the chance to get exercise and be involved in a team sport. On Sundays, you’ll find Amy at Mount Gilead Church in the nursery rocking babies and helping toddlers feel safe to leave their parents for a while. Amy is also the current Vice President of the Morgan County Early Learning Coalition. Amy believes in the importance of early childhood education and will do her part to provide or support that in any way possible and in anything that she is involved in. Congratulations to Amy, and thank you for being a champion for the early care and education of young children in Morgan County.
