February is Parent Recognition Month. Strengthening Families Washington, of the Department of Early Learning for Washington State, believes there is no better way to recognize a parent, grandparent, foster or adoptive parent than by acknowledging the numerous and impressive things they do to strengthen their family and those around them in their community.
Seattle's Child is proud to sponsor the Washington Unsung Hero Awards, recognizing our everyday heroes and honoring the important role caregivers play in children's lives. There are 28 nominees for the 28 days of February, and Seattle's Child will highlight each and every one.
Congratulations to the Unsung Hero for February 20
Sueann Hawkins – Centralia
Hi, my name is Kelli O'Reilly and I am a preschool teacher with Centralia College ECEAP. It is with great pleasure and excitement to nominate Sueann Hawkins for the Unsung Hero Award. I first met Sueann about 15 years ago when she brought her daughter Julie, age 3, to our classroom. When she came into the classroom she was a little unsure, hung her head down and did not know what adventure she was going to begin. As she helped her daughter get situated and said a few words it would be time for her to leave. When she came back to pick up Julie, she asked how she could help in the classroom and our partnership began. The first couple of times she came in to help, she would sit in the library center on the kid couch and read books to herself. With much encouragement, the teaching staff would give her responsibilities and she would complete them. She would continue to come on a weekly basis to help but really she was developing self-confidence and many parenting tools to help with the development and growth of Julie. As the year ended, we said our good byes until next September.
When September arrived, the teaching team was so excited to see Julie and Sueann and to touch base about summer. Once again, Sueann wanted to know how to help. She started to volunteer but soon realized that there was another child in the class who had the same dad as Julie. Sueann became very uncomfortable and did not want to help out because she was scared she would run into the dad. Sueann had a bad relationship with the dad and the dad did not have a relationship with Julie. The teaching staff encouraged Sueann to stay but she could not overcome the fear.
The teaching staff came up with a plan to keep her involved and once again a true relationship developed. I asked Sueann if the teaching team gave her a theme, could she go to the public library and check out books around that theme. She said, YES! Every two to three weeks we gave her a new theme and off she went. As the year was wrapping up, the teaching team was becoming a little sad because it would be time to say goodbye to Sueann and Julie, because Julie would move on to Kindergarten. As the summer was wrapping up, I checked in with Sueann and asked if she wanted to volunteer and keeping getting books for us. She said, YES! As of today, she continues to get our books. In matter of fact, she e-mails or calls to find out my theme and as of two years ago she keeps a list of themes I use. Amazing! She is always one step ahead of me and is on top of things. She visits the public library, picks up books, places books on hold and helps carry out the theme to help make our classroom a great place to be.
Sueann is not only a great "library mom," she is a great mom. Julie has had a difficult time in school. She struggles with academic situations. Sueann has spent many hours advocating for her child in a positive manner. When Julie reached middle and high school, school became more frustrating and Sueann had to sign her out. The stress became more and more and Julie had developed stomach pain. Once, Sueann signed her out, they made an appointment for Centralia Community College to look into the GED or High School Completion program. As of today, Julie completed her GED and has a goal to earn her driver's license. Once again, Sueann was given a difficult situation but made it into a positive situation with hard work and resilience.
It is my honor and privilege to nominate Sueann for the Unsung hero award. I am proud to had her as an ECEAP parent, and proud to have her as a community volunteer and proud to call her my friend.
Nominator: Kelli O'Reilly
