Executive Director’s Welcome
Choosing someone to care for and educate your child is one of the most important decisions you will make.
As a parent I understand this, which is why in 1992, I founded Begin With Us Child Care and Preschool, Inc. I combined my child care experience and business education to build the premier provider of early childhood and preschool education in Blair County.
My teaching staff and I are honored that for over 25 years families have entrusted their young children to Begin With Us. We have taken the best methods for teaching young children, combined them with our experience, and structured programs to properly prepare your child for academic success. And we make learning fun! Local elementary school teachers know that Begin With Us graduates come to kindergarten ready to participate, prepared to learn, and with a drive to excel!
I invite you to discover why your child should Begin With Us! Contact us today and let us show you how we can make a lasting and positive impact upon your child and family. We will help you develop your child’s foundation for success in school and in life!
Jolie Lynn Cover
Begin With Us, Executive Director
Begin With Us
Mission Statement
Begin With Us is comprised of privately owned early learning facilities in Blair County, Pennsylvania, that provide high quality care and education with social and cultural diversity. Our primary goal is to have a lasting and positive impact upon children, parents, practitioners, teachers, and thereby the community at large. To attain this goal, we strive for excellence in our commitment to children by inspiring them to be creative, confident thinkers. Our passion can be realized through the high quality of care and educational programs; the assurance of developmentally appropriate, nurturing, safe, well-maintained and well-designed environments; strong relationships with families; and consistent retention of professional, educated, and highly qualified practitioners, teachers, and administration.
Philosophy
Children are valued as unique individuals. Our focus is on the whole child and appropriately meeting their physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. We encourage them to explore and discover their own talents and abilities, to express themselves openly, and to learn at their own pace. We provide intentional, appropriate instruction to assist in the development of well-functioning children. We teach children to become responsible and to respect the rights of others in order to develop a healthy, positive self-image and worldview. Most importantly, we demonstrate that children deserve professional, loving care and a structured learning environment that sets the foundation for a love of learning.
As early childhood educators, we strive for parents to feel respected, supported, nurtured, and welcomed to engage in our program.
Our Teachers
Our teachers build the essential bridge between school and home by creating meaningful partnerships with our families based upon open communication and trust.
- Lead teachers hold either a bachelor or master’s degree.
- Assistant teachers hold either a bachelor, associates, or a CDA certificate.
- We invest in ongoing professional development; therefore, our teachers are experts in research based best practices for early childhood education.
- We hold monthly curriculum and planning meetings to ensure the high quality and appropriateness of learning experiences and the best possible child outcomes.
- Our teaching staff were brought together by their shared love and commitment to providing excellent care and education for young children.
- At Begin With Us, all teaching staff are certified in Pediatric First Aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Meet Our Administrative Team
Jolie Lynn Cover
Experience: Founded Begin With Us in 1992. 35 years of experience.
Education: 1992 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University. Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration. Minored in Human Development and Family Studies, Business Administration, and Labor and Industrial Relations. Pursued Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Early Childhood Education. Obtained The Pennsylvania Director Credential in 2011.
“Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children.” – Walt Disney
Donita Hord
Experience: Started at Begin With Us in 1996. 27 years of experience.
Education: 1993 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University. Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. Minored in English. Obtained The Pennsylvania Director Credential in 2011.
“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” – Frederick Douglass
Rhonda DeAngelis
Experience: 35 years of teaching experience.
Education: 1984 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University. Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. 1990 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University. Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” – Jennifer Dukes Lee
Heather Scott
Experience: Started at Begin With Us in 2015. 13 years of experience.
Education: 2005 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University. Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. Obtained The Pennsylvania Director Credential in 2013.
“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” – Charlie Chaplin
Michelle Moore
Experience: Over 22 years of experience.
Education: 1997 graduate of Mount Aloysius College. Registered Nurse since 1997.
“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” – Mother Teresa
