Natasha Ely has been selected as the teacher for the Harlan County Child Development Center opening this August.
Ely, a current kindergarten teacher at James A. Cawood Elementary School, has been with the district seven years.
“I’m thrilled to continue this journey and start a new chapter as the teacher at the first Harlan County Child Development Center,” said Ely after learning of her selection earlier this week.
“After spending valuable time as a kindergarten teacher, I can’t wait to grow alongside these kiddos in a nurturing and innovative learning environment,” she said. “I’m excited to help lay the foundation and instill the love of learning in our future Black Bears!”
Leah Coots, the district’s preschool coordinator, said “I'm so excited to have Mrs. Ely join our team as the teacher of our Child Development Center. With her valuable experience teaching kindergarten, she brings a strong understanding of early childhood development and a genuine passion for fostering a love of learning right from the start. Mrs. Ely is a dynamic and engaging teacher, and we're confident she will provide Harlan County students with a strong and nurturing beginning to their educational journey.”
Superintendent Brent Roark said “the whole district is excited to see this endeavor coming to fruition. Mrs. Ely is an excellent choice to teach our inaugural class of these early learners. We know she is an exceptional teacher. She has a great rapport with the young students and families. “
“She has the artistic abilities that will allow the kids to do performances and programs to showcase their learning,” he said.
Roark said the center’s programs will be strongly rooted in not only basic social skills, but also in curriculum, instruction, focus on numeracy and early literacy.
The learning center will follow the state pre-school program.
The center is continuing to take applications for the first class of four-year old students.
Applications are now being accepted for students to attend the Child Development Center. The program will open this August. Positions are limited so apply early.
Applications are available at the Harlan county Public Schools central administrative offices, 251 Ball Park Road, Harlan.
Questions may be addressed to Leah Coots at 573-4330 or Kim Saylor at 573-1950.