Heather Martin Represents Castleton, Early Childhood Center in Washington

Castleton, VT (03/05/2020) — Heather Martin, director of the Castleton University Early Childhood Center, recently returned from representing the University at the nation's capital.

Martin presented on a higher education panel to give an overview of Vermont's higher education system for early childhood education programs. She discussed how the Vermont State Colleges System works together to provide educational opportunities at the associate, bachelor's, and master's degree levels. She also talked about the scholarships that are available to Vermont students and the professional development systems that are in place. Castleton University offers a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Special Education.

Martin said the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) was impressed with the Vermont system. While in Washington, Martin had the opportunity to participate in workshops and speak with Congressional staffers for Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Patrick Leahy, and Rep. Peter Welch.

"Sanders announced his childhood education plan hours before we met with his staff. We discussed NAEYC's most recent work regarding the early childhood profession with his senior education policy advisor and her staff," Martin said.

Martin joined Castleton to lead the Early Education Center. She brings with her demonstrated success in the early childhood education field. She began her career as an assistant teacher and has spent the past 15 years in a lead role in early childhood education centers.

She spent the majority of her career growing The Children's Center in Proctor, roughly tripling the average daily attendance, adding several classrooms, and achieving four-star accreditation.

Following her time at The Children's Center, Martin founded an infant program called Baby Steps. Infants attend the four-star center until they are about 18 months old and then transfer to the Children's Center.

Martin is a Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children board member, serves on the Building Bright Futures Council, and is a member of the Starting Points Director Network and the Vermont Early Childhood Alliance.

Martin is looking forward to the opening of the Castleton University Early Education Center later this year.

"My goal for the Early Education Center is to be sure that students who train in the center have not only hands-on experience, but a thorough understanding of the early childhood profession," Martin said. "That they understand how to be a teacher, how to open their own business, have a home program if that is their goal. I want them to know how to work in any setting, and that requires broad knowledge in the early childhood field."

Martin said the Early Education Center will have an immediate impact in providing much-needed childcare to families and will offer the long-term benefit of workforce development for early childhood education. She said early childhood education centers are in dire need of qualified staff, citing that there is an immediate need for early childhood teachers.

"I want to make sure that the Center is a benefit to the larger community," Martin said. "We want to help with workforce development and providing high-quality childcare spaces for families that need them. I want the center to be a source of support for families."

Martin says the key to success in early childhood education is building working relationships with families.

"The thing I love most about working in the field is to see families succeed. When they come in, everything is new, and they are not connected to families and other resources. It's great to see them grow and learn, both the children and families," Martin said.

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