Greetings, Riverview Gardens families! I'm Yolanda Fortson, working as the building secretary at the Michelle Obama ECAC since December 2010. I transitioned to Parents As Teachers secretary in August 2022. I've been happily married for 26 years and am a proud parent of 2 wonderful children who participated in Parents As Teachers from 2000 to 2008.
MICHELLE OBAMA EARLY CHILDHOOD ACADEMIC CENTER
Parents As Teachers
RIVERVIEW GARDENS SCHOOL DISTRICT
1111 St. Cyr Rd. St. Louis, MO 63137
(314) 869-3211 ext. 35106
Welcome To Our Program
Parents As Teachers is a (Free) parent education and support program that serves families from prenatal to kindergarten entry. PAT is offered to families that reside in the Riverview Gardens School District. Parents as Teachers believe you are your child's first and most influential teacher. We have certified parent educators who are readily available to assist you on your parenting journey and answer questions or concerns that you may have about your child's development. When enrolled in PAT families will receive Personal Visits to provide research-based information on child development and bring fun learning activities for you and your child to do together. Developmental Screenings assess all areas of development including (health, hearing, and vision). Group Connections provide opportunities to connect with other families. Resource Connections to receive referrals to resources that are offered in the community. Free diapers to children under (4) years of age during personal visits.
Personal Visits are provided in-person or virtually and group Connections are offered in person.
To enroll in Parents as Teachers
Ms. Megan Ziegler, Coordinator
Hi! My name is Megan Ziegler and I am excited to be the new Parents as Teachers Coordinator for the Riverview Gardens School District. I have been married for almost 21 years and have a 17 year old son who will be graduating this May. I was previously a parent educator for 5 years in a neighboring district and before that I spent 16 years teaching early childhood and early childhood special education. I love the PAT program and even participated in it myself when my son was little.
Raising children is hard but with the support of a parent educator, it can be easier. I hope to see you at one of our group connections!!
Ms. Yolanda Fortson, Secretary III
Ms. Jada Spears, Developmental Screener
My name is Jada Spears and I am the Early Childhood Developmental Screener for Parents As Teachers. I am so excited to be a part of this program! I have worked in the area of Early Childhood Education and Early Intervention for more than 16 years, primarily with Head Start/Early Head Start and the State of Missouri Section for Child Care Regulation. My family participated in Parents As Teachers after the birth of our first child while living in the state of Ohio, where I am originally from. I am happily married and the mother of 3 amazing children. Come be a part of this great program. I am looking forward to meeting you and your families.
Ms. Karen Bailiff, Parent Educator
Greetings, My name is Karen Bailiff and I am excited to rejoin the RGSD family as a PAT- Parent Educator. I have lived in this community for 30+ years and care about the children and families that live here. With social work and early care/education in my background for over 25 years, I am very invested in a holistic approach to partnering with our deserving families and their babies in their early-care journey of development. I have been married to my loving partner in life for 33 years and we have 5 beautiful adult children and one grandson. For self-care, I enjoy reading, music, and all things family!!! I look forward to meeting and partnering with your family!!
Ms. Stephanie Jackson, Parent Educator
Hello, My name is Stephanie Jackson. I have been in the field of education for twenty years with 9 years being a Parent Educator for the Riverview Gardens School district and community families. I am committed to providing services for our district and dedicated to empowering families and developing our youth. I am a mother of five. Outside of work, I enjoy the sport of kickball and spending time with family and friends.
Ms. Freda Jones, Parent Educator
Hello Riverview Gardens families! I am Freda Jones, and I am so grateful to be a part of the Parents as Teachers Program. PAT is dear to me as I was once a teenage mom and being a participant in the program changed my life. I am dedicated to providing families with the proper care and support they need and deserve. I have two daughters and one son, I’m a Saint Louis native, and look forward to working with you all.
Ms. Marsha Caradine, Parent Educator
Hello RGSD families! I am Marsha Caradine. I have been a parent educator for almost 5 years. I joined the RGSD parent-educator family in 2021, I have 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren. I enjoy working with families and assisting them with the development of their children. I look forward to working with you!!
Ms. Shonta Webb, Parent Educator
My name is Shonta Webb and I am happy to serve families as a parent educator in the Riverview Gardens School District. This is my second year with the district but I have worked in the field of education for over 14 years. I have a Master's degree in elementary education in which I taught 4th grade for 5 years before becoming a parent educator. I am a mother of 3 young children and I am also a parent that participated in the Parent as Teacher program. I am looking forward to partnering with your family!
Ms. Katherine Whittaker, Parent Educator
Hello RGSD families! I am Katherine Whittaker and I am happy to serve as a Parent Educator for the Riverview Gardens School District. This is my fifth year with RGSD. I am happily married and we have one son who has benefited from all the activities provided by Parents As Teachers. I am passionate about supporting parents as they navigate their child's development. I look forward to getting to know your family.
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