About the Educator Awards

Knowledge Universe, the nation's leading provider of early childhood education and care, is proud to announce the winners of the 2008 Knowledge Universe Early Childhood Educator Awards.

These awards honor early childhood education professionals dedicated to excellence in the classroom, while celebrating the important contribution of educators in the development of young children.

Nominated and evaluated by their colleagues for demonstrating exceptional skills in teaching techniques, student interaction, family communication, classroom design and health and safety practices, the five award winners were chosen from over 40,000 early childhood educators from KinderCare Learning Centers, Knowledge Beginnings and CCLC. The winners were notified through a surprise, on-site celebration, culminating with the presentation of a check for $10,000 and local media coverage. Each award winner was flown to the 2008 NAEYC convention in Dallas where they received national recognition at a reception in their honor.

2008 Educator Award Winners

Cecilia Etchegoimberry

Cecilia is a teacher in the infant room at the World Bank Children's Center, CCLC center #000845 in Washington, D.C. She has been at the center since 2000. Cecilia's children come from all over the world. She tunes into each child's personality and needs, and she takes time each day to speak with parents about their child's day and celebrates each milestone with them. She has served as a mentor teacher in the program and continues to take ECE courses to enhance her knowledge of the field. Her patience, gentle touch and kind words make her perfectly suited for work with this exciting but challenging age group.

Jill Generazzo

Jill teaches kindergarten at the Burlington, Massachusetts KinderCare #301588. Jill has been with KLC for five years and has her Masters of Education degree. She supplements the KinderCare curriculum with curriculum she developed around the Massachusetts state standards. Jill is always engaged with the children in her classroom and is described as very warm and welcoming, providing a sense of safety and belonging. Every August Jill holds a transition program to help children become oriented with the kindergarten classroom and to get to know her before the school year begins. Jill also maintains positive relationships with the families in her classroom.

Julie Henry

Julie teaches the Learning Adventures program at the KinderCare center #301564 in Arvada, Colorado. Julie's Center Director, Diane Case, describes her as "a hard working, passionate and outstanding teacher. The children in her classroom adore her." Julie has been with the company for 23 years and has created a strong sense of community with the children in her classroom. She routinely enlists the children to help make featured activities from the Learning Adventures program into permanent enrichments to be explored and used over and over.

Renata Holod

Renata is the pre-kindergarten teacher at the Mukilteo, Washington KinderCare #301604. Renata's passion for her job is evident each day as she works with the children. She takes time to discover each child's abilities and talents and finds ways to help them develop those gifts. Renata has been with KLC for eight years. She is a mentor and role model for other teachers and her classroom environment is exemplary, inviting the children to learn and explore.

Deborah Simmons

Deborah is the Assistant Director and a two's teacher at KinderCare #300339 in Belleville, Illinois. With a calm and gentle tone, Deborah leads her two-year-olds in engaging activities throughout the day. The children in her care have opportunity for independent, self-directed activities and group activities such as singing and dancing. Deborah's classroom is inviting and incorporates the learning needs of each child. Deborah has been with the company for 20 years and is a mentor to many of the staff throughout her District.