FORT LEE, Va. (March 16, 2017) -- When parents drop their children off at a daycare center, most hope the providers there truly care for them and are passionate about their jobs.
At the centers on Fort Lee, there is a plethora of teachers who fit the bill. One such provider is Dannetter Brown, a child and youth program assistant who has the skills and experience to help children work toward a better future.
Brown has been with the Yorktown Child Development Center for three years. The facility serves children from ages 6 months to 5 years, and Brown works with the 4-to-5-year-olds who are preparing to enter kindergarten.
“This is a rare opportunity to see them developmentally come into their own, have their own opinions and try to make good choices,” said Brown. “The children I work with require some sort of social and emotional development. We try to give them many opportunities to make good choices. Even in our room we ask them, ‘are you going to make good choices today?’ Or ‘are we going to have a great day today?’ ‘Of course we are because we start off with a positive affirmation.”
Her passion for working with children began at the age of 16 when she worked at a daycare in Jackson, Miss. She loved the job, but not the community. As soon as she was old enough to do so, she joined the military as soon as possible as a way to get out of her hometown.
Brown served for four years in the Army as a tactical radio teletype operator, a type of communications specialist.
“Not sure if they still have that today, but I had to learn Morse code, among other things, back in the day when I was in,” she said.
After her time in service, she headed to school and later moved to Richmond because she said the people were friendlier. The city also offered historical significance, beautiful scenery and close proximity to national parks; and she viewed it as a great place to raise a family. Today, Brown has two boys – ages 32 and 17. She also has a 6-year-old granddaughter who has special needs.
Prior to working at CDC, she was a director of a religious non-exempt facility in Richmond. Brown also mentioned she ran a licensed family daycare home, where she serviced infants and toddlers with special needs. She also worked in the public school system with kids who have neurotypical and special needs.
She is proud of her educational background consisting of a Masters of Teaching in early childhood, a Bachelor of Arts in english, and Associates in Liberal Arts degree.
Brown said she finds herself always wanting to work with children.
“Even though I’m no longer in the Army, I find caring for children on a military installation is a way to give back,” she said. “My service isn’t over yet as long as I am still here.
Kids with special needs are no different than any other children, Brown said.
“These are regular, normal and average kids,” she said. “Sometimes, what we may think is special needs is actually average normal childhood development. I work with kids who have difficulties in their learning development, special needs, autism and even have turrets syndrome.”
During her off time, she enjoys working with kids at her Broomfield Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Richmond. She is involved with the board of education and is a co-chair with the Christian youth foundation for her church. In addition, she participates in organizations such as Toastmasters International, which is a nonprofit educational organization to help improve public speaking, communication and leadership skills. Lastly, she belongs to the Saint James Platinum Speakers Club and Rural Presidents Distinguish.
Brown takes the experiences she has gained working with the kids and incorporates them in her daily life.
“Everything the kids teach me I end up teaching adults,” she said, “I learn so much on how they are thinking, their opinions, their ideas on different things and even about the recent presidential election. They discuss things like this during meal times at school. They totally know what’s going on. We just don’t give them enough credit. They absorb everything. Nothing gets past them. So, don’t think you are pulling one over on them … you can’t. They are very wise in their younger years.”
She grows an attachment with each child in her class, but said this is only one chapter in their journey.
“When they leave here, they are off to a new beginning,” she said. “I hope that something they learned here is going to help them in their future, and give them a little understanding of life and the world.
“I look at my own children and think how long they had to share me with other children,” Brown continued. “But when my son tells me, ‘Mom, you did so well … I am so proud of you,’ that makes me feel so good inside because they see the value of what I am doing even with other children. They are never selfish with me.”
Although her advanced education could be used elsewhere, Brown said she continues working at Yorktown because it’s a labor of the heart.
“I just hope when my youngest leaves the house he comes across someone kind, loving and nurturing,” she said. “That is what I give these kids, so I am paying it forward. I trust my child is going to receive what I am giving out to other people’s children.”
This is the second installment of a new Traveller story series focusing on the individuals who work “behind the scenes” at our post shopping, dining and recreational facilities.
| Date Taken: | 03.16.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.16.2017 12:47 |
| Story ID: | 227054 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 29 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Labor of love -- child care provider passionate about job, by Lesley Atkinson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
