Parents as Teachers: Young Mom Pursues Her Dreams

Vanessa has come a long way since beginning the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program in 2016. At the time, the teen mom was seeking guidance on how to give her infant daughter the best start to life. Nearly three years later, both mom and daughter are thriving.

Parents as Teachers provided guidance, support and resources to help Vanessa understand and navigate the early years of her daughter’s life. Not only did PAT teach her about her daughter’s developmental milestones and how to keep her healthy, it also helped the young mom get through the challenging times, which she struggled with due to her age and lack of experience.

As time went on, Vanessa began to pursue a career in early childhood education.

“I have always loved kids and dreamed of becoming a teacher,” said Vanessa. “When I came to PAT group meetings at the Cabarrus Bilingual Preschool, I began realizing how much I loved it there. Mrs. Thomas encouraged me to apply, and Families First in Cabarrus County sponsored my education through the T.E.A.C.H. program.”

Vanessa is now finishing up her first year working in a classroom at Cabarrus Bilingual Preschool – Central as a teacher assistant. At the same time, she is attending 5 college classes and is almost finished getting her teaching credentials so she can be a lead teacher.

“We are a nonprofit, so many of the children I work with may live in poverty or other circumstances. I have been given the chance to help them realize every day that their circumstances do not define who they are or who they can become. What an honor,” said Vanessa.

Currently, Vanessa’s daughter is enrolled in preschool at the Cabarrus Bilingual Preschool – St; James, where she is receiving a bilingual education and preparing for a successful start to kindergarten.

Thank you Vanessa for sharing your story with us!

For more information about Parents as Teachers or the Cabarrus Bilingual Preschool, visit familiesfirstcc.org.