Shaunene Edwards is a Family Support Specialist housed at the Minnehaha Early Learning Center. Her manager, Katrina Alderman, had this to say about Shaunene’s contributions to the ESD: “This year not only did she implement a new Family Support Model with her coworkers for a State pilot, she was also instrumental in delivering a new 6 week parent training with Tracy Collins (Child Care Aware Trainer) for ECEAP families. Shaunene also found a resource that made it possible for us to receive free used books to provide to ECEAP families to encourage reading at home.” Great job, Shaunene!
How long have you worked for ESD 112 and what does your job entail?
I have worked for ESD112 for two years- one year as a Family Support Specialist for Early Head Start, and one year as a Family Service Worker for ECEAP Preschool. I currently work with Spanish-speaking families to set self-sufficiency goals and help connect them to community resources that can help them.
What do you like best about your job?
I love the families I work with, and I love seeing them better themselves and achieve their goals! I also like that I get to use Spanish every day.
What do you find most challenging about your job?
It is frustrating when I feel like I’ve tried to help a family, and I know they can succeed, but for whatever reason, they don’t follow through with the goals they have set for themselves.
Single? Married? Kids? Pets?
I’m married with four kids, 3 boys and a girl, ranging in age from 14-27. My baby is entering high school this year! We have also hosted 19 exchange students over the past 21 years, so I count them as my kids also. We have two dogs, Trixie (a pit bull mix) and Bruno (a Chihuahua).
What do you enjoy doing with your free time?
I love to travel, play board games, read, and just enjoy any time spent with my family. We moved here from Las Vegas about four years ago, and love the many activities that the PNW has to offer!
What’s your favorite ESD memory?
I have enjoyed my Family Service Worker team so much this past year. We are truly friends, not simply coworkers, and have made lots of great memories as we have helped and supported each other.
If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be?
I would love to be able to get back to playing racquetball. I played competitively in college, and I WILL get back to where I can play again.
What is the most interesting place you’ve ever lived?
I lived in various towns in the country of Chile for a year and a half, in my 20s. The culture and knowledge I gained was immeasurable.
What was your most interesting past job?
Lounge singer in several Las Vegas casinos!
Would you like to see yourself or your coworker in the spotlight? Use our submission form to send us your nomination. We all love reading about our fellow staff members![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
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