Meredith Ligon, Site Supervisor, Easterseals Early Childhood Center, Bunnell

My name is Meredith Ligon and I am the Site Supervisor for Easterseals Early Childhood Center, Bunnell, Florida. I have been at this location for a year first starting as a Lead Preschool Teacher. As a Site Supervisor I strive create a safe, loving, educational, and fun atmosphere.  I train my staff and spend time in each classroom to ensure that the curriculum meets every child's needs. 

I have worked in childcare for 17 years and I am willing to share my knowledge with the staff   to make our center better. I work hand in hand with Project Warm to help the children have a comfortable transition to the facility, and give a sense of normalcy to them as they are reunited with their mothers.  My staff and I also help guide the mothers. When the mothers are reunited with their little ones some feel unsure because their child has been with foster care or with close relatives, it our job to let them know they are not alone in this process and offering some tools that they might need. I know I’m making an Impact on my community, I form a bond with all the families and feel wonderful when they are successful in Project Warm. Seeing the smiles on their faces brings me joy and pride.  Being part of the Easterseals team is rewarding with in itself. Christina Hopkins has taught me many of the ins and outs of the program and is so supportive and Beverly Johnson has been very encouraging.

My staff is like my family and we grow together to make this center beautiful. Being a strong team ultimately helps our families because the line of communication is away open. I am learning to take a leadership role I'm just not speaking on the behalf of myself anymore but the Easterseals name. I represent my staff, the Easterseals cooperation and they childcare center. As a Site Supervisor I am extremely involved in the dynamics of the classroom. My goal is to build an environment and to cater to each individual child's needs by giving my staff all the tools they need to be great. 

I was diagnosed with dyslexia at age five and received help with speech at age three and I remember feeling lost. I learned differently and at times I was afraid to speak up, afraid to say I was struggling. With the support system I had with in the schools, and within my family I am in this great position to help give a child the strength to take on their challenges to embraces what make them different and love it, to not feel ashamed. I want them to be looked at as individuals, as a child sometime I was cast aside or belittle because it took me a little longer to understand a classroom activity. It is my goal to have no child ever endure the feeling of being lost, afraid and unable to ask for help. I want to be a role model for every child that struggles with a disability or parent that has a child that might have learning delays. I want them to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. All teachers need to be mindful of this. Each child deals with their own outside difficulties and circumstances. It is our jobs to be empathic and to address it with kindness and patients.

When people think about Easterseals they think about an accepting place that caters to all children needs.  I am so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful foundation and to play a role in each of our families’ lives.

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