Educare Arizona was proud to host a tour for Arizona’s first lady Mrs. Angela Ducey and Mrs. Kathy Pidgeon in conjunction with their work as co-chairs of the Governor’s Council on Child Safety and Family Empowerment.
Picture left to right: Dr. Jeff Smith – Balsz School District Superintendent, Kathy Pidgeon and Angela Ducey – Governor’s Council on Child Safety and Family Empowerment Co-chairs, John Scola- Educare Arizona CEO, Denise Higgins- Educare Arizona Board Member, Mindy Zapata, Southwest Human Development Early Head Start and Head Start Director
In addition to being advocates for early education, Educare Arizona also provides community support and training. Above is a parent explaining her experience with our Child Development Associate (CDA) training and how she now works in a classroom.
The Educare Arizona Board of Directors has appointed two new members: Leela Brennan and Mitch Moore. Brennan, an experienced communications professional, has had the opportunity to partner with some well-known brands and personalities, including GoDaddy and GoDaddy founder Bob Parsons. She is currently the Director of Marketing & Communications for Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG). Brennan holds a Bachelor’s degree from Goucher College and a Master’s degree from City University of London, and resides in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband and their son.
Mitchell Moore, a current member of Score Finance, LLC, has years of experience in fiscal management and leadership for Arizona organizations. He serves several civic organizations including as a Fellow of The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, Suns Charities 88, Mesa Leadership Training and Development, and the East Valley Partnership. In addition to Mr. Moore’s professional experience he brings a true passion for youth education and dedication for improving Arizona.
John Scola, CEO of Educare Arizona, stated “We are privileged to welcome Leela and Mitch to the Educare Board of Directors. They each bring a unique and critical perspective to the work of Educare, and they will complement our current directors extremely well. Together, we will change the conversation about early childhood education in our state.”
Educare Arizona CEO John Scola and Site Director Lori Jablonsky were pleased to welcome Dick Foreman, CEO of ABEC (Arizona Business & Education Coalition), to tour our school. ABEC is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, statewide membership organization that unites business and education leaders in an effort to advance education in Arizona.
A business leader who understands the importance of education in Arizona, Foreman says, “I do not accept status quo for education in Arizona and neither does the ABEC board or members. We know the ‘odds’ and challenges presented by the public policy process. But for my part, I am certainly determined to engage this wonderful opportunity in every way I can to better serve our board and its mission on behalf of Arizona’s education and business communities. Together, we will continue to build consensus, advocate and succeed for Arizona’s children.”
John Whiteman, one of Educare Arizona’s founding collaborators, was celebrated at a banquet in February after being named the 2014 Mesa Citizen of the Year. In addition to his involvement with Educare Arizona, Whiteman has several other philanthropic efforts, which include improving the lives of young children in Mesa and throughout the state of Arizona. He is the president of the Whiteman Foundation and serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Arizona Museum for Youth, the Morrison Institute for Public Policy, the Phoenix Symphony and the Arizona Community Foundation.
Whiteman was instrumental in Educare Arizona becoming a reality in 2011 and continues to be a tireless champion and advocate of early childhood education in our state and beyond.
On April 7, 2015, our statewide community will come together for Arizona Gives Day, and we need YOU to join us. It’s 24 hours of nonprofit giving, and it’s your chance to make a real difference, right here in our community!
Like us, you are passionate about early childhood education and the impact early learning programs have in our community. By showing your support to Educare Arizona through Arizona Gives Day, you will help sustain the work we do. And when you share your support of our campaign, you will help spread the word about our programs and the impact they have on children and their families.
There are three easy ways you can help
- Mark April 7, 2015 on your calendar, bookmark our giving link, and schedule your donation to be made on the big day: https://azgives.givebig.org/c/GivesDay/a/educarearizona/
- Follow us and help build the buzz:
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/educarearizona
- Twitter: @educarearizona
- Spread the word! Forward this email to your colleagues, family, and friends along with a personal note as to why you believe in our work, and why they should give on April 7, 2015.
We thank you in advance for being our champion, and helping us raise funds for and awareness about Educare Arizona! We can’t wait to celebrate the difference your generosity will make on Arizona Gives Day!
Educare Arizona congratulates Christine Nowaczyk, chair of the Educare Arizona Board of Directors, for being recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal in the 2015 group of Outstanding Women in Business. This prestigious group includes women “who are trailblazing the Valley’s business community, as mentors and visionaries.” Christine and the other outstanding women will be honored on Monday, March 20th, 2015 at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia.
Christine Nowaczyk leads the corporate banking group at Bank of Arizona, a division of $28 billion regional financial services company, BOK Financial. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Broad College of Business at Michigan State University where she also earned a varsity letter in Division I women’s softball. Christine has an MBA from Eastern Michigan University and resides in Cave Creek, Arizona with her husband Steve and their two daughters.
Congratulations, Christine!
For more information about the event or to register, please visit the event registration site.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Please make sure your children visit a dentist regularly, at least every 6 months. Infants should see a dentist when their first tooth erupts or by their 1st birthday.
If your children do not have a dental home, please contact the NOAH Balsz Health Center at (480) 882-4545 to schedule an appointment for a dental check up and to help them maintain a healthy smile!
Happy New Year on behalf of the students, families, Board of Directors, and staff of Educare Arizona! We welcome you to the NEW and IMPROVED website and hope it helps you get to know us, our mission, and our program.
The new year brings with it opportunities for change and growth, and we are excited to share with you a great way which you can be a part of that. Educare Arizona has partnered with the 2015 Birdies For Charity, sponsored by Thunderbirds Charities. Birdies for Charities takes place annually during the Waste Management Phoenix Open and is a way for everyone to support their favorite charity (Educare Arizona!) based on the number of birdies made by PGA Tour players during the tournament.
To participate, pledge just one cent or more for every birdie made during this year’s tournament, between Thursday January 15 through Sunday January 18. Roughly 1,300 to 1,500 are made during each tournament; if 1,400 birdies are made, a 1 cent pledge would mean a $14.00 donation. Payments can be made online or checks may be mailed directly to Birdies for Charity and are due after the end of the tournament. In addition, the Thunderbirds will make a 15% bonus donation to charities based on the total amount pledged.
What a great way to support early childhood education for our awesome Educare children and families!
Please make your pledge now! Visit Birdies for Chairty to sign up and complete your pledge form. Thank you!