Featured Photo: Latisha Miller, Early Childhood Education student at Blue Ridge Community College.
Article and Photo by: Benjamin Rickert, Marketing & Communications Dept.
Latisha Miller wants to help young children grow up in the best way possible.
That desire recently drove the 40-year-old to pursue a new professional direction despite a masters degree in criminal justice and a seven-year career as a 9-1-1 operator in Polk County. In May, Miller will graduate from Blue Ridge Community College with an Early Childhood Education preschool certificate, a credential she has pursued to enhance her new work as an early interventionist with the Children & Family Resource Center in Hendersonville.
For Miller, continuing her education is all about the difference she will be able to make in children’s lives.
“I can remember the educators that stepped in for me when I was younger and the difference and impact they made in my life,” she said. “That’s my motivation every day, to get up and inspire a child to be better, to give them the resources they need to succeed. That’s just what drives me.”
That drive recently caught the attention of Miller’s instructors at Blue Ridge who recommended her for a special honor with UNC-TV’s kids station, Rootle. She has since been selected to serve as Henderson County’s next ‘Rootle Ambassador’ for the PBS-affiliate.
As an ambassador, Miller’s role is all about helping kids to receive the support and tools needed for healthy growth. She will build relationships with other early childhood educators in the county. She will also attend and facilitate community events on behalf of Rootle to connect families to the free, developmental resources available through pbskids.org. These resources include games, puzzles, videos, and worksheets that are designed to make learning fun. Other resources help parents assess and meet their children’s own unique needs.
“My first Rootle event is April the fourth.” she explained, “I’ll be at the Kindergarten Readiness event in Mills River with a Read-a-Roo kangaroo standing next to me – ready to help. I am honored to have this role and will do my best to serve Henderson County at my full capacity.”
Serving as a Rootle Ambassador is complementary to Miller’s work as an interventionist, where she screens children for developmental delays, assesses their vision and hearing, connects them to remedial services, and more.
Blue Ridge faculty are proud of Miller for pursuing her professional goals and finding early success.
“Latisha has been a joy in both seated and online courses,” said Melanie Wilkins, instructor of early childhood education and teacher preparation. “She brings depth to class discussions from life experience and encourages classmates through her passion for Early Childhood Education.”
More information about Early Childhood Education and Teacher Preparation programs at Blue Ridge Community College is available at www.blueridge.edu/education.