Life Inside The ELC…
WORDS: Kayelee Newstrom
In my time as an intern at the Early Learning Coalition
of Manatee County (ELC) I have learned a tremendous
amount. I started in September and finished my
intern hours in early December. I am a senior at Eckerd
College majoring in Human Development and minoring in
Psychology and Art. I plan to graduate in May of 2020. I
attended high school in Illinois and moved to Florida my
freshman year of college. Before interning at the ELC, I
had no prior knowledge of what a coalition did or how
important their mission was. Now I feel condent I could
explain what the ELC does to anyone who asked me.
The prominent thing that I have taken away from my
time at the ELC is that there is so much to learn in
each of the departments. I learned something new
each day and have much respect for the work that
is accomplished there. Each department at the ELC
plays an integral part in accomplishing the goal of
providing quality school readiness opportunities for
all children and their families.
Everything the ELC does as an organization is
astounding, which made me feel rewarded as
I learned and helped each day. I started with
the Early Learning Department and worked my
way through the other departments, ending with
Communications/NEXTGEN Family Magazine. I learned
all about Nemours Reading BrightStart!, School Readiness,
PALS, how teachers are evaluated, what is expected of
providers, how the ELC is funded, how to prepare proper and
engaging STEAM materials, how the ELC provides books to
many families, how to prepare and write a grant, NEXTGEN
Magazine, and so much more.
Having the opportunity to work with every department has been
an eye-opening experience because I was able to witness
and learn all the people and programs that play a part in this
successful organization. Let me tell you, the staff works very
hard for the families of Manatee County!
One of the most heartwarming moments I had at the ELC was in
December when I saw the holiday giving tree in the hall. I sent
out a text to my softball team because there were only three
children left and the team responded right away, so excited
to help. The Eckerd College softball team came together and
purchased all the gifts on the child’s list.
This year marked a
major accomplishment for the PALS
program because all the apples from the giving tree were
selected. ELC staff, family, and friends all helped purchase
gifts for the 67 children in the 24 PALS families that the ELC
provides coaching for. It was such a beautiful thing to witness
and participate in. I was humbled by this experience.
All of the ELC staff were so kind and generous in helping guide
me through my internship. The ELC has taught me how signicant
the early learning years for children are. In starting my internship
at the ELC I had no idea what I wanted to do after I graduated.
After completing my internship, I have a better idea of what I am
interested in and enjoy doing. I now know I need to work with
children because they are an important part of our future, and I
strongly believe I will nd this work most rewarding. I feel I could
make a difference in a child’s life and that gives me a sense of
purpose. I have grown so much as an individual, and I can most
denitely thank the ELC for this experience.
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