White House Recognizes Head Start Educators

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Day 2016, President Obama recognized the National Teacher of the Year and great educators across the country, including three Head Start educators who have made significant contributions to early childhood education:

• Pierre, SD: Oahe Child Development Center Head Start education manager Jodi Berschied, has dedicated her career to at-risk children, building personal relationships with the Head Start children and families struggling under the pressures of poverty.
• Flint, MI: Genesee Intermediate School District Head Start teacher Killotta Tartt-Wall’s dedication to her special needs students extends beyond the four walls of her classroom.
• Tulsa, OK: Tulsa Educare Early Head Start teacher Vicki Wolfe has worked in education for 35 years, spending most of her career working with at-risk children. She has spent the last 18 years in Tulsa helping raise the quality of early childhood education for Tulsa’s youngest and poorest children.

“It is heartening and inspiring that Head Start educators were recognized among the nation’s great educators. Head Start is the proven, national model for providing quality, comprehensive early learning opportunities to our nation’s most vulnerable children and families,” said National Head Start Association Executive Director Yasmina Vinci. “These Head Start educators epitomize the greatness that is the Head Start.”