High-quality early childhood education involves more than what we see happening in the classroom each day. Behind CEO’s Head Start and Early Head Start teachers is a team of experts who help support classroom environments, lesson planning, child development, behavior strategies, curriculum, family needs, and the many details that help classrooms run well.

CEO’s Education Team includes:

Pictured left to right:

• Tracy Baker, Assistant Director Early Childhood Services
• Jocelyn Cook, Education Specialist
• Nora O’Hanlon, Education Specialist
• Christina O’Brien, Education Services Manager
• Lori Tantakis, Director of Center Based Operations
• Nadine Schworm, Behavior Specialist
• Jenna Graber, Education Specialist

Together, the team works across CEO’s Early Childhood Services locations to support teachers, children, families, and center staff.

Support That Looks Different in Every Classroom

There is no single formula for the work the Education Team does. “As an Education Specialist, I primarily work with teachers on building their classroom environment and planning appropriate activities for the children,” Nora O’Hanlon said. “How we support each classroom can vary based on what those teachers and children need at that time. Supports are as unique as our kiddos.”

That flexibility is important.

Education Specialists may help teachers with curriculum, lesson planning, classroom materials, transitions, developmental screenings, online systems, or strategies for an individual child or classroom team. Jenna Graber said the goal is to help classrooms move beyond simply caring for children and create intentional, developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

“We help ensure that our classrooms are implementing best practices,” she said. “We help teachers with planning and implementing developmentally appropriate experiences and activities, and we provide support when teachers are struggling so they feel supported.”

For Education Services Manager Christina O’Brien, that level of support is one of the strengths of CEO’s Early Childhood Services program.

“We have specialists who are in all of our centers and support classroom teams and children,” she said.

Looking at the Whole Classroom

Classroom observation is an important part of the team’s work. Education Specialists conduct formal observations throughout the year and may also visit classrooms when teachers or center staff need more support or feedback. Through observation the team looks at the entire classroom environment, including relationships, routines, interactions, and the individual needs of children.

“When I enter a classroom, I look at the whole picture including the classroom environment, the interactions between staff and the child, and how staff are responding to the child,” Jocelyn Cook said.

She also looks closely at what happens before and after a behavior to better understand what may be contributing to it.

“After the observation, I meet with the teachers to discuss their thoughts and perspectives,” Jocelyn said. “We work together as a team to identify patterns, develop strategies, and determine supports that can help the child be more successful in the classroom.”

That collaborative approach is important because the goal is to give teachers additional tools they can continue to use.

Helping Teachers Continue to Grow

Observation, feedback, and coaching can also help strong teachers continue developing their skills. “Receiving quality support and feedback on classroom practices helps teachers continue to grow as professionals and educators,” Nora said. “The more information and training a teacher gets, the more likely they are to be able to build genuine positive relationships with their kids.”

Those relationships are an important part of creating a classroom where children feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. The team also works together to improve systems for teachers. This summer, for example, the Education Team made significant changes to CEO’s lesson-plan criteria.

“We repeatedly reviewed our expectations, asked each other questions and made adjustments to end up with the best possible solutions for our teachers,” Nora said.

The result has already received positive feedback from classroom staff. That ongoing support is also closely connected to one of Head Start’s central goals: helping children build the skills they need to be ready for school. Lori Tantakis, Director of Center Based Operations, oversees CEO’s center-based Early Childhood Services and sees the Education Team’s work as an important part of maintaining strong classroom quality and supporting school readiness.

“High-quality early childhood education doesn’t happen in isolation. School readiness is built through strong classroom environments, responsive relationships, highly trained teachers, and the support systems that help educators meet children’s individual needs. Our Education Team provides that ongoing coaching, observation and problem-solving so teachers have the tools they need to help every child learn, grow and be ready for what comes next.”

Supporting Children with Additional Needs

CEO’s Behavior Specialist provides another layer of support for children, teachers, and families. Nadine Schworm has worked in childcare for 15 years and said the Behavior Specialist role was one of the things that stood out to her when she joined CEO.

“When I came to CEO, I loved that they have this position as a Behavior Specialist because the need is so high,” she said. “I am able to support classrooms all across CEO.”

That support includes things like observing a child, helping identify possible triggers, developing strategies with teachers, modeling techniques in the classroom, and working with families to better understand what they are seeing both at school and at home. Nadine said one of the biggest lessons she has learned is that there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution. “Consistency is key,” she said. “Not every strategy will work with every child displaying the same behavior.”

The Education Team may also help families and classroom staff navigate referrals or additional services when a child may benefit from special education or mental health support.

Supporting the Whole Family

Although much of the Education Team’s work happens in classrooms, the impact extends beyond them. Head Start is built around supporting both children and families, and the Education Team’s work contributes to that larger goal.

“We are helping our families reach goals for themselves and their children,” Christina said.

By helping teachers create stronger classroom environments, supporting children with individual needs, and connecting families with added resources when needed, the team helps create a more consistent circle of support around each child. For Jenna, that is part of what makes Head Start special. “It is a safe yet enriching program for young children,” she said.

A Team Supporting a Team

One theme that comes through consistently is collaboration, not only with classroom staff, but within the Education Team itself. Christina said being part of the team means having colleagues she can rely on. “I love the opportunity to work as a team and bounce ideas off one another,” she said. “We have an amazing team and really support each other.”

Jocelyn, who recently moved from the Behavior Specialist role into an Education Specialist position, described a similar experience. “We come together to support each other as well as our teachers, children and families,” she said. “I know that I can go to anyone with questions or to brainstorm ideas.”

For Jenna, the reward is simple: “Being part of the Education Team is truly rewarding. I get to provide support to teachers and children.”

And while Nadine describes the work as challenging, she also calls it rewarding, a reflection of the complexity and importance of supporting young children, families, and educators every day.

The Work Behind Strong Head Start Classrooms

We may not always see the observation, planning, coaching, collaboration, and problem-solving that happen behind the scenes of a Head Start classroom.

But that work matters.

CEO’s Education Team helps teachers build strong learning environments, respond to individual children, strengthen their own skills, and connect families with more support when needed.

It is one more way CEO works to make sure children in Head Start and Early Head Start have the opportunity to learn, grow, and build a strong foundation for what comes next.

Head Start and Early Head Start at CEO

CEO’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide early learning, school readiness support, health and nutrition services, and family support for children and families throughout Rensselaer County.

Learn more about CEO’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs, find out whether your family may qualify, or apply for services today.

Looking to join an amazing team making a difference every day? Check out out careers page.