Approximately 40 friends and family gathered at The Marvel Center on Saturday, May 11, to commemorate five Greenbrier County graduates of the West Virginia Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) program.
The Greenbrier County ACDS graduates honored at the ceremony were Brianna Hedrick with Li’l Britches Child Care Center, Heidi Scott with Lit’l Rascals Daycare, and Donna Martin, Sybil Smith, and Meagan Wilson with The Marvel Center. The keynote address was delivered by Terri Wontrobski, former Director of the Greenbrier and Monroe Counties Head Start, and Garrett Vestal, an early childhood and elementary educator with Greenbrier County schools.
Wontrobski shared wisdom and inspiration to the graduates and their families, reminding them of the impact they have on the lives of children. Quoting Maya Angelou, Wontrobski encouraged everyone to continuously strive for improvement, stating, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
Vestal echoed this sentiment, recommending educators to nurture their patience, grow their determination, and always continue in their professional development/learning.
The West Virginia Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) program, a partnership between the United States Department of Labor, River Valley Child Development Services (RVCDS), and early childcare programs throughout the state, is a cornerstone of professional development in the field of early childhood education. West Virginia was the first state to host the certification program, consisting of four 15-week semesters and between 3,200 and 4,000 work experience hours in a childcare or PreK/Head Start classroom. Classes are offered statewide, with the Fall 2024 session scheduled to commence in late August.
For enrollment information and inquiries about the upcoming Fall 2024 classes, interested individuals are encouraged to contact the Greenbrier County office of WVU Extension Service at 304-647-7408.
The Meadow River Valley Early Learning and Family Engagement (MARVEL) Center in Rupert, now in its third year of operation, has been providing early child and family engagement services to the community. As part of a community redevelopment partnership, the center has become a hub of educational excellence, fostering the growth and development of children and families alike.