HOMETOWN HERO
GIVING
KIDS A
HEAD START
Thompson leads program that supports education for low-income families
STORY & PHOTOS BY MIKAH BOYD
Brenda Thompson has spent much of her life helping future Hornets and Bearkats get a jump on their education . After growing up in Huntsville , she started working with the Head Start program in 1997 , as a volunteer , as her children went through the program . Head Start programs across the country help promote the school readiness of infants , toddlers , and preschool-aged children from low-income families . Services are provided in a variety of settings including centers , family child care and children ’ s own home . Head Start programs also engage parents or other key family members in positive relationships , with a focus on family wellbeing .
Thompson got her passion for child development from her mother , whose dream was to retire and open a daycare . After her mother passed , Thompson decided to take on her mother ’ s dream and help guide young kids before they enter the public school system .
“ That ’ s what I ’ ve been doing is living my momma ’ s dream ,” Thompson said . “ Low and behold I guess her dream was my dream because I wanted to be a business major , but I enjoy kids .”
During her time at Head Start , Thompson has been able to earn multiple degrees , while working her way up from a volunteer to her current role as the center ’ s supervisor . “ My experience here has been wonderful , I love Head Start and I love what it does and the benefits it has for the children and the families ,” Thompson said . The program ensures that kids go to dental checkups , yearly physicals , stay up to date with shots , and are getting the assistance they need if they have a speech impediment . Another way that Head Start helps with early child development is by teaching them social skills that they need to thrive in public schools .
“ We work to make sure kids are mentally , physically and emotionally developed before they leave our program ,” Thompson said .
She further explained how Head Start differs from daycare in its approach to early child development . They use a holistic approach to assist not only the children but the families as well . Parents needing assistance with their job search or applications for government assistance can get the advice that they need from the development center and are also reminded of annual immunizations .
Another thing that Thompson enjoys about her work is seeing the children retain the information that they are exposed to .
“ I think the most important part of it is teaching the children and them retaining and telling you what they learned or just the smiles on their faces ,” Thompson said . “ Some of the things you think that the kids didn ’ t retain or didn ’ t get , they got .”
22 | HUNTSVILLE LIVING | SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER , 2021