Success at All Ages
Evergreen Academy Preschool is committed to supporting the development of children, who are our number one priority. As a branch of the nonprofit organization Quality Connections, we also serve another important purpose – training qualified workers with disabilities for careers in childcare
It is well known that the childcare industry is in the midst of a crisis. Families need high quality childcare, while many preschools struggle to find caring, qualified individuals to do the work. Between 2018 and 2020, over 1,000 preschools in Arizona closed their doors, and the pandemic only made things worse. At the same time, rising wages have prevented many qualified workers with disabilities from entering the workforce.
We are meeting both of these challenges head-on, while maintaining rigorous standards and ensuring the highest quality of care.
While our members are onsite, a Job Coach is available to assist in real-time trainings and redirection.
Learn more about the professional journeys of some of our members who have participated in our Training Program:
Catherine’s Story
For as long as she could remember, Catherine wanted to be a teacher. Some of her own teachers had a big impact on her, and she longed for the chance to help other children in the same way someday.
But as an individual with a disability, there were barriers to her becoming a “real” teacher. She didn’t let that stand in her way, though. She’s earned her Early Childhood Education certificate, graduated with an Associate’s degree from Rio Salado Community College, and plans to enroll in Grand Canyon University to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Catherine became a “real” teacher at Evergreen Academy Preschool, providing high-quality and meaningful preschool experiences. She shared equal duties with her co-teacher, creating lesson plans, leading her students in activities, and much more.
Catherine moved on from Evergreen Academy Preschool, and now is employed as a Teacher’s Assistant in the community.
Carrie’s Story
Rachel’s Story
“A magnet for children.”
That’s how Evergreen Academy Preschool Director Kelly Arnold describes Rachel, a Quality Connections member who also works as a trainee at the preschool, which is celebrating its first anniversary this month.
“They just flock to her,” Kelly said. “She’s fun, but she’s also a quiet and calm individual.”
Rachel’s love of working with small children comes from her big family, where she is often the one in charge of watching her many nieces and nephews. One of her great joys is working with babies, she says.
Renee’s Story
On most days at Evergreen Academy Preschool, you can find Renee Harms helping teachers, rounding up the kids for circle time, picking up toys in the classroom, or making sure the preschoolers don’t run inside.
“A lot of the floors are tile, and it’s pretty hard, and I don’t want them to fall,” said Renee. “I tell them to ‘use your walking feet.’ That’s something I’ve learned here at Evergreen.”
Renee is a member of Quality Connections, and has been working to identify a career through our programs that provide workforce training and placement for individuals with physical or developmental disabilities.
After a few placements at restaurants and hotels that didn’t quite fit the bill, Renee has found a position she loves as a trainee at the preschool, which is also a branch of Quality Connections.
Renee says she loves working with kids.
Plus, being part of a school makes her extremely proud, she said; her mother is a teacher at a junior high school in Winslow.
