janet land - outstanding service award

Daviess County Public Schools Great Expectations! 1622 Southeastern Parkway Owensboro, Kentucky 42303 www.dcps.org November 10, 2015 Owens Saylor Superintendent Phone: (270) 852-7000 Page of DCPS preschool coordinator earns state honors Daviess County Public Schools preschool coordinator Janet Land has been selected as the recipient of the 2015 Kentucky Division for Early Childhood Outstanding Service Award The award recognizes Land’s significant contributions in making a positive difference in the lives of young children with disabilities, and their families The award also honors Land’s leadership and administrative contributions to early childhood education, policy development and implementation, and professional education As the recipient of this award, Land has demonstrated “knowledge and skills consistent with recommended practices in the field of early intervention and early childhood, and has exhibited high ethical and professional standards,” according to Julie Harp Rutland of Morehead State University’s Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education Land was nominated for the award by Chris Westerfield, DCPS preschool consultant, who noted Land’s career of service in the field of early childhood development and education “Mrs Land leads by being among the finest examples of a true professional in the early childhood education field,” Westerfield said “She has served as an extraordinary role model to her early childhood education students at the college level, as well as an inspiration to her preschool staff in the DCPS district.” “Receiving this award from the Division for Early Childhood is a huge honor to me because I believe providing high quality interventions in early childhood make a life-long difference,” Land said “DEC promotes policies and advances evidence-based practices that provide support to families and educators to enhance the optimal development of young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities.” Land also expressed appreciation for the support and contributions of her colleagues within the DCPS district “This award is a tribute to the teachers, staff and families in Daviess County working together to help each child reach their full potential,” she said “This award reflects our district’s belief that providing a high quality early childhood education is a wise investment.” DCPS Superintendent Owens Saylor said, “Janet Land is a shining example of a servant leader who truly believes in our mission of ‘Great Expectations’ for ALL students Her unwavering dedication to our youngest learners and their families has helped countless little feet take those first positive, confident steps along the path of lifelong learning.” Land joined the DCPS district in 1990 as a primary teacher at Highland Elementary School She was named the district’s preschool coordinator and elementary curriculum specialist in 1998 She Board of Education: Frank G Riney III • Mike Clark • Dianne B Mackey • Merritt Bates-Thomas • Dr Tom Payne Daviess County Public Schools Great Expectations! served one year as an interim principal at Whitesville Elementary School (2002-03) before resuming her responsibilities as preschool coordinator in 2003 CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE November 10, 2015 Page of DCPS preschool coordinator earns state honors Land taught early childhood classes at Owensboro Community and Technical College as an adjunct professor from 2003 to 2008, nurturing and guiding many educators at the beginning and throughout their careers As examples of her community service and wholehearted support of early childhood development and education, Land has also served as a member of the board of directors for Building Stronger Families, a home visitation program that covers the seven-county Green River Area Development District region and which focuses on promoting positive parent-child relationships and linking families to critical community resources Land has served as an active member on the Daviess County Early Childhood Council for 15 years, helping to develop and implement activities such as Readiness Kits, which are provided to children ages 2-5 and which include daily activity calendars designed to promote engagement activities between parents and their children, and a developmental milestones DVD designed as a guide to help parents work with their children at home Land has served on the Imagination Library Board since its inception in 2007, including two years as board chairman The Imagination Library is a beneficial program promoting early childhood literacy from birth to age at all social economic levels Land graduated from Western Kentucky University with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education in 1990, earning her master of arts degree as a reading specialist in 1993 and her Rank I as a supervisor of instruction in 1999 and principal certification in 2001, all from WKU Land will be recognized during the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children Conference at a.m Monday, Nov 23, at the Galt House in Louisville (10 a.m Eastern time) Our media partners are invited to contact the individuals listed below for additional information: Janet Land – DCPS Preschool Coordinator janet.land@daviess.kyschools.us 270-852-7000 ext 232 Chris Westerfield – DCPS Preschool Consultant chris.westerfield@daviess.kyschools.us 270-852-7000 ext 334 Julie Harp Rutland, Ph.D – Morehead State University Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education j.rutland@moreheadstate.edu 606-783-9376 Board of Education: Frank G Riney III • Mike Clark • Dianne B Mackey • Merritt Bates-Thomas • Dr Tom Payne Daviess County Public Schools Great Expectations! For more information, contact DCPS Public Information Officer Lora Wimsatt (270) 852-7000 ext 215 Lora.Wimsatt@daviess.kyschools.us Board of Education: Frank G Riney III • Mike Clark • Dianne B Mackey • Merritt Bates-Thomas • Dr Tom Payne ... information: Janet Land – DCPS Preschool Coordinator janet. land@ daviess.kyschools.us 27 0-8 5 2-7 000 ext 232 Chris Westerfield – DCPS Preschool Consultant chris.westerfield@daviess.kyschools.us 27 0-8 5 2-7 000... 27 0-8 5 2-7 000 ext 334 Julie Harp Rutland, Ph.D – Morehead State University Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education j.rutland@moreheadstate.edu 60 6-7 8 3-9 376 Board of Education: Frank... the seven-county Green River Area Development District region and which focuses on promoting positive parent-child relationships and linking families to critical community resources Land has