Ms. Yanett's Interview

We interviewed Ms. Yanett from Randy’s Five Star Academy about her experience in the Durham Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Program. We are highlighting her in preparation of Teacher Appreciation Week! Read Ms. Yanett’s responses below to hear about how the program has helped her grow as an early childhood educator.

Do you feel like the apprenticeship program has helped you become a better early childhood educator? If so, how?

“Yes, I feel like it helped me because we have a team; they offer support in all the areas. I really like that I have a mentor that checks in on me and gives me feedback, but overall, all the team.”

What do you like most about the program?

“Like I said, because it touches all the areas that we need, like for example, they help us with finances, the TEACH [Early Childhood Scholarship] program, the connections. They always check in on us, there’s forms that we can connect with all the teachers, and the teamwork.” 

What are some of your career goals?

“I have a few classes to finish with my Associate Degree. I want to continue my education. I would like to focus on helping families and kids with language support and also with special needs.”

How did you hear about the apprenticeship program?

“I started working in childcare 20 years ago. I was taking classes on and off. I was a little discouraged about going back to school because of the recognition and everything. When I saw the apprenticeship poster here in my center, I just got a feeling like this is my time to finish and to keep going. I liked it when I interviewed with Maggie and she explained it to me; she just made it sound easy. She connected me with TEACH [Early Childhood Scholarship] and with Durham Tech and everything.”

What do you like most about working with children?

“What inspires me to be a teacher is the desire to make a meaningful impact on both children and their families. I want to help families by providing a supportive environment where parents can feel confident leaving their children in my care while they go to work. In addition, I am passionate about embracing the diversity of each culture and ensuring that every student feels represented and valued in the classroom. As a bilingual teacher, I also love incorporating my Spanish language and culture into the daily routines and activities. By sharing my language with children, I aim to enrich their lives and contribute to their development during this critical stage of their growth. Creating a space where children feel safe, respected, and encouraged to grow is central to my vision of teaching. It’s not just about education; it’s about nurturing young minds and fostering a sense of belonging for everyone.”

Follow Durham PreK on Instagram and Facebook to see more of our shout-outs to apprentices during Teacher Appreciation Week.