Educational First Steps Providing Children With Hope [HD]

Posted on: September 4, 2009 Reported by: Lindsey Crouch

Educational First Steps, also known as EFS, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing early childhood education for economically disadvantaged children. They currently serve more than 4,700 children and impact over 800 teachers and directors in the Dallas metroplex.

“When a child goes to school prepared, it makes them feel like they can do,” said CEO of Educational First Steps Merriott Terry. “That’s what we want the children to have. We want them to have dreams and aspirations that they do have something to contribute. Even as kindergarteners that is critical. We know that if children have good successes in school then in their early years they’re more likely to stay in school and further their education. That makes a difference for the future work force.”

Educational First Steps provides about 80 childcare centers like the Customize Learning Center in Dallas with tools like paint and books that foster and stimulate early childcare education for low income families.

“You come into a classroom and there is totally not a piece of furniture. No materials for the children to use to a center that has everything that they need,” said bilingual educational specialist Maria Banda.

“I believe the foundation starts here with us,” said teacher Sherell Durham.

EFS provides teachers like Durham with scholarships for certificates and degrees in early childhood education. They also involve parents and families as they prepare their children to thrive instead of survive.

“Our parent trainings are English and Spanish and also are any other type of training the teacher might need,” said Banda. It could be on health and safety curriculum or anything that need. That’s where we come in and we provide the training for them.”

“EFS has helped so much,” said Durham. “They have expanded us. They have broadened our horizons.”

The goal of EFS is to intervene in these children’s lives at a pivotal point when they want nothing more than to learn.

“The homes that most of them come from are single-mother homes,” said Durham. “The father is incarcerated or father is just not around.”

“Early intervention is critical,” said Terry.

Educational First Steps and the University of Texas at Dallas did a study comparing EFS students to the general DISD student population.

“What we found is that by the second grade our children were not only on task for literacy, but they were ahead in math compared to the other population of DISD,” said Terry.

EFS does not receive any government or United Way funding. At a benefit in Dallas held at Ryan Manor there was a night of piano and palette for guests to enthrall their senses while bidding on a live painting of a child done with strokes inspired by music to raise money that enables children to turn dreams of an education into a reality.

Go to Educational First Steps web site by clicking here:

http://educationalfirststeps.org/

http://www.Twitter.com/DFWreporting

2 Responses to “Educational First Steps Providing Children With Hope [HD]”

1. Lisa Says:
   September 4th, 2009 at 6:08 pm

   Great story Lindsey! What a great cause helping adorable children.

2. ELC Says:
   December 3rd, 2009 at 12:23 pm

   A well researched site, I’ll link to it from my site thanks

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