Felicia Moore has been working in our Head Start program for the past 15½ years. She’s efficient, dependable, and always willing to give a helping hand. During these unprecedented times, she works diligently to ensure safe and nurturing settings for students uses her super hero strengths to build relationships with children and families.

Nominated by Lucila Barrios, Assistant Director of Program Services, Gateway Head Start

Danielle Thomas
Preschool Teacher
Celebree School of Frederick Frederick, MD

In the last 8 months Danielle has taken on every COVID related challenge in her classroom and personal life with stride. Walking into her classroom you would never imagine the world has changed. Her classroom is more beautiful and engaging than it has ever been because she puts her heart and soul into every child each and every day especially during COVID all while being an amazing mother to her three children. 50 words could never begin to be enough to describe Danielle’s dedication to early childhood, or how much she means to our school and her students. I promise no one is more deserving.

Nominated by Caroline Walker and Kristin Sigler, Frederick School Directors

Meet Ruth Segura a Classroom Hero working for the past eight years at the North Hudson Community Action Corporation Head Start/Early Head Start, in West New York, NJ. In addition to creating safe early learning spaces during COVID, Ruth gives special focus to transitioning toddlers who have made their own journeys from other places and finds instrumental ways to engage parents in their child’s developmental growth. Ruth is this year’s recipient of the Coalition of Infant/Toddler Educators (CITE) Ninth Annual June Handler Award, in honor of the organization’s co-founder, June Moss Handler. Given at CITE’s Annual Conference since 2014, this award honors an educator who has earned the New Jersey Infant/Toddler Credential, certification that follows Child Development Associate (CDA), or 120 hours of professional development, and six college credits focused on infant mental health and mentorship in the care and education role. Learn more about Ruth and The New Jersey Infant/Toddler Credential at www.njcite.org.

Nominated by Coalition of Infant/Toddler Educators (CITE)

Jen is being recognized for being committed to her work. Jen has worked at The Learning Path for over ten years including every operating day during the pandemic. The only day she missed was to get vaccinated. But Jen does more than show up, she creates high quality opportunities for her students throughout the entire school day. Jen moves through each obstacle with patience, creativity and quality. Jen creates a welcoming environment and builds positive and healthy relationships with both her students and families. What is most impressive about Jen is her thirst for knowledge and positive attitude. Jen is loved by her students, families and co-workers! As a lifelong resident of Morris County, Jennifer Carter has always valued the importance of education. From the time she was a young child, her dream was to be a teacher. Jennifer had the unique perspective of having a sister with special needs, allowing her to observe the inner workings of special education. Growing up, Jennifer was a member of Girl Scouts and in 2003 became a lifetime member. That year, she also worked towards and earned her Gold Award. Jennifer graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth in 2007 with a certificate in early childhood education and elementary education, as well as a double major in psychology. She started her career as a teacher at Teddy and Me in Chatham, which later became The Learning Path Preschool, where she is currently the lead teacher in the 3 year old room. Jennifer joined the NJAEYC board as Secretary in June 2019.

Nominated by Meghan Tavormina, President, NJAEYC.