Suffolk News-Herald

A local teacher will take part in a special evening of festivities this week to honor professional child care providers.

Suffolk Public Schools teacher Jacky Howell, a preschool trainer with Montgomery Child Care Association Inc. Training Institute, will participate in the events being held in honor of National Child Care Provider’s Day on Oct. 22.

To honor Suffolk’s professional child care providers, the City of Suffolk’s Early Childhood Development Commission is sponsoring the evening of entertainment at the Holiday Inn at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Howell, who is guest speaker, teaches preschool with mixed ages 3-5 at MCCA’s Kensington/Forest Glen Children’s Center. Over the years, she had spent 20 years teaching a mixed-age preschool and eight years teaching kindergartners in special areas of instruction.

Her specialties include positive discipline, child-centered curriculum, creating active circle times, puppetry, developing socialization skills, professionalism, and creating a vision for childhood.

A training specialist for more than 16 years, Howell is now a training coordinator for MCCA Training Institute. She has taught the 90-hour course in early childhood development and curriculum for over 12 years.

Howell received her bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from Catholic University and spoken at many national conferences.

Several other special guests will perform, including King’s Fork Middle School eighth grader Mary Anne Carr, a harpist, and commission member Karen Gunter, who will sing a song dedicated to young children.

Each year, child care businesses select one staff member to receive the Tender Loving Care award. Those selected for the award will be recognized tonight. This event is open to all providers in the city. Dinner begins at 7 p.m.

Call Lottie Fenwick at 923-3124.