I am Marione Breedlove.I am continuing my education with a B.A in Children and Family Studies at Southern University at New Orleans. Attending this HBCU means so much to me and my family. Being the first person in my family to go to a four year university, while also attending an HBCU is a great opportunity and accomplishment. I am looking forward to all the things this HBCU can help me achieve, not only in my field of study but also in my community. While starting my education I noticed that in the first five years of a child life their brain is still developing. In the black community education is not as readily available. As a black educator I have dedicated my work to help others become aware of this. I believe that our children should have the same education as others from the same I am currently working for a Child Care Resource and Referral Agency in New Orleans called Agenda for Children as an Early Care and Education Specialist. I am proud of the work I do within my agency but believe there is always more that can be done. I believe this scholarship will help me with that. By continuing my education and research I can help more teachers, leaders and families.

I am Marione Breedlove. I graduated for Nunez Community College on the Deans list with an Associates Degree in Care and Development of Young Children. I am continuing my education with a B.A in Children and Family Studies at Southern University at New Orleans. I am a mother of four and believe that children are our future. While going through education with my children during CoVid 19 I realize that a child first teacher is his or her parents. By helping my children during this difficult time with schooling, I learned that education was stressful for them, especially not being able to do it in person. I learned that not all children will learn the same and while some may not need help at all, others may need additional help. While starting my education I noticed that in the first five years of a child life their brain is still developing. This is the time to teacher them not only basic skills needed to pass school but also in life. I learned that starting with social emotional skills can help your child support themselves and others while still growing. I am currently working for a Child Care Resource and Referral Agency in New Orleans called Agenda for Children as an Early Care and Education Specialist. The Early Care and Education Specialist provides practice-based coaching and personalized support to teachers and program leaders who work with children ages birth through grade five, and I am responsible for conducting professional development workshops for teachers and program leaders. Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) is a professional development strategy that uses a cyclical process. This process supports teachers and leaders’ use of effective teaching practices that lead to positive outcomes for children. I am proud of the work I do within my agency but believe there is always more that can be done. I believe this scholarship will help me with that. By continuing my education and research I can help more teachers, leaders and families. This scholarship will help complete my education goals that will in turn help me become a aid, coach, and mentor to the teachers, leaders and families I help. I want to help those people learn that in early childhood education we are where it starts. We are helping children soak up all the information their new little brains soak up all the information the need to grow and so much more.