As a high school student, Brittney Underwood was ambivalent about her future, with no particular path or college plans. Soon after graduation, she accepted a position working at the daycare center at the Keene YMCA, which provides high-quality, affordable childcare to children between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years. The early childhood classroom was a comfortable place for Brittney, and her connection with the children was natural and joyful.
Her supervisor at the time, Michelle Hildreth, noticed Brittney’s ease with the infants and toddlers and encouraged her to think more seriously about pursuing a career as an early childhood education teacher.
“She saw something that I didn’t even see in myself at the time. She was a tremendous role model and mentor to me.”
Trying Out Online College Classes
After just one month of working at the YMCA, Michelle encouraged Brittney to take college classes in early childhood education. Brittney started with a single course and kept going, taking only a short break when her beautiful daughter, Jaylyn, was born.
“It was a lot to take courses with a newborn at home. My daughter required my full attention. But within four months, I was figuring out how to balance work with school and home, so I registered for class again.”
Brittney and her husband Jason work long days and sometimes struggle to make ends meet. Nevertheless, they remain focused on
doing what they need to now so their family can have greater opportunities in the future. Long term, Brittney hopes to become a first-grade teacher at a school nearby. She is confident that the work she’s doing now is getting her closer to that goal.
“I find myself loving everything about being in the classroom. I enjoy watching the toddlers discover something new. Their curiosity is never ending. It is a privilege to be part of their lives, and their families’ lives.”
Getting Tuition Assistance Through the ECTA Program
Brittney received a grant through the college that made a meaningful difference in managing tuition expenses. Funded by the NH Bureau of Child Development and the Head Start Collaboration, the Early Childhood Tuition Assistance (ECTA) Grant provides free courses for NH educators, paraeducators, and childcare workers. Once again, it was a caring supervisor, Nicole Vasconcellos, who encouraged Brittney’s professional development and growth.
“The ECTA grant came at just the right time. It helped me so much. I’m flying through the classes now and applying what I’m learning at work and at home. For those considering going back, do it. You won’t regret it.”
Applying Her Education in the Classroom and Building Toward Her Teaching Career
When reflecting on how her courses have applied to her experience in the classroom, Brittney describes that it has been important to learn about the stages of social, physical, cognitive, and language development in children. Still, she describes that in her experience, the most essential thing children need to be happy and healthy is love and play.
“Knowing their numbers and letters will come, but togetherness, spending time outdoors in the fresh air, singing, dancing, and being silly, feeling safe and loved, that is what builds confidence to learn.”
It is this kind of heartfelt dedication to the children in her care that makes families at the Keene YMCA consider Brittney and her fellow teachers an extension of their family.
“When it gets challenging to balance it all, I always go back to loving what I do; loving the kids I teach. And I only need to look at my daughter to see my reason.”