Donna McKay was recognized by the Alaska Head Start Association for her work as an assistant teacher. McKay will have spent 30 years working for Head Start on Oct. 28.
Donna McKay, assistant teacher at Head Start in Wrangell, was recently recognized for hitting the 30-year mark in her career. She was given a plaque last Monday, Oct. 14, in Fairbanks during an award ceremony. Head Start is an early childhood program that, according to their website, serves children from birth to five-years-old in 100 Alaskan communities. Starting her career this month 30 years ago, McKay said that she has helped to teach approximately 620 children.
"By the 28th of this month it'll be 30 years of me teaching," McKay said.
McKay said that she first got involved with Head Start because the program was there for her family, and she wanted to help support it.
She said that she became a single mother in 1976, and was also attending classes at Mt. Hood Community College. She had three children,
five-years-old, three-years-old, and three-months-old. It was a challenge, she said, and finding a good daycare program was important.
She eventually learned about Head Start, she said, and it was a good choice for her children.
Now as an assistant teacher in Wrangell, she said that she loves to bring her energy and creative thinking to the program, and that she has no plans to retire. It is a perfect job, she said, and she has no reason to leave.
"The reason I love my job is that every day is a new day for them [the kids]," McKay said. "They love you for who you are. I'm very fortunate to have that job. I enjoy getting up every morning and going to work."
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