Stories from the Field: Featuring 2023 Belonging Award Recipient Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency Head Start and Early Head Start
Date: November 14, 2023
Time: 10:00am-11:00amCST//11:00am-12:00pmEST
Speakers: Melissa Scates, Chyra Henley, Leslie Walker, and Diane Lovino
Description: Featuring AIMHiTN's 2023 Recipient of Belonging Awards, Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency Head Start and Early Head Start. Come explore the concept of an inclusive classroom and discuss effective strategies for fostering a thriving classroom community where every student feels like they belong. Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency Head Start and Early Head Start support children's growth from birth to age 5 years through services centered around early learning and development, health, and family well-being. Head Start staff actively engage parents, recognizing family participation throughout the program as key to strong child outcomes. MCCAA serves families in Cannon, Cheatham, Rutherford, Robertson, Sumner Trousdale, Wilson, and Williamson counties.
Melissa Scates
Melissa Scates works for Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency. She is a lead teacher at Gallatin 1 Head Start. She began working for Head Start in April of 2012. She is motivated by the fundamental belief that all children should feel special and embraced by their differences. Melissa worked in retail as a department manager for many years before deciding to attend college. In high school, a teacher made her feel not good enough and she will never forget that feeling. Because of this, she wanted to make children feel special. Melissa earned a Master of Education from Cumberland University and undergraduate studies at Tennessee State University focused on Early Childhood Education. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 35 years, children, and grandchildren. On the weekends, you can most likely find them kayaking on the river.
Chyra Henley
Chrya Henley joined Mid-Cumberland Head Start in August of 2000 as an assistant teacher. Growing up her mom was a teacher. She loved seeing her mother put smiles on children's faces and helping them. Chyra enjoys making a difference in children's lives. Working for Mid-Cumberland allows her to give one on one time to those who may not receive it outside of Head Start. Mid-Cumberland helps provide children with a strong foundation and develop skills they need to transition into the school system.
Chrya has one son named Reid, who is 16 years old. She states often that motherhood has been the most rewarding experience in her life. In her spare time, you can find her Jeeping, riding Harley's and woodworking.
Leslie Walker
Leslie Walker is a Site Manager at MCCAA Head Start/Early Head Start. She has been with the agency for 22 years, as well as has held multiple roles within the agency. She began as an assistant teacher, teacher, staff resource coordinator, and now finally a site manager. She loves her work as a manager for her site. Her passion lies in relationship building and childhood mental health. She strives to create a culture of inclusion and belonging for every child, parent, and staff member at her site.
Leslie is a graduate of Western Kentucky University, holding a B.S. in FACS Child Studies with a minor in Family Studies. She has an Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IMH-E) and her site is a proud recipient of the AIMHiTN 2023 Belonging Award.
In her spare time, you will find her at the soccer field, reading a book, or spending time with her husband, two daughters, son, and grandson.
Diane Lovino
Diane Lovino is a dedicated professional with an extensive career in early childhood and elementary education. Her roles have included serving as a Developmental Therapist and Intervention Specialist. Presently, she holds the position of Mental Health and Disability Coordinator at the Mid Cumberland Community Action Agency Head Start Division. Diane possesses a wealth of experience in working with children of diverse ages and abilities, specializing in teaching those with cognitive, physical, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
In her personal life, Diane has been happily married to Joe for 32 years. They are proud parents of two children: JT, who is 26 years old, and Kristi, who is 23 years old. Diane's life journey has taken her from her birthplace in New Jersey to a decade spent in Colorado, and she has now called Tennessee her home for the past nine years. Outside of her professional commitments, she finds joy in pursuits such as motorcycle riding, swimming, reading, hiking and spending time with her dog Mabel.