4-C's 2017 Recipient of the Marian Baker Award
Susan Petersen, Executive Director
4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care
155 N. Third St., Suite 300
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 758-8149 extension 232
May 1, 2017
Sandra Plescia NAMED 4-C CHILD CARE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
In 1999, 4-C established the Marian Baker Child Care Professional Award in memory of Marian Baker, longtime friend, and board member of 4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care. This award recognizes individuals who possess the distinction and passion which Marian exemplified in her role as teacher, board member and child advocate.
The 2017 child care professional of the year award was presented at the 4-C annual meeting on April 11, 2017 to Sandra Plescia Director of the Early Childhood Education Department at Kishwaukee College
Petersen cited Sandra as a perfect example of all that Marian stood for. She has extensive education in the early childhood field and was instrumental in the coordination of the Early Childhood Education Department at Kishwaukee College 18 years ago. Sandra was also honored with the Award of Excellence from Kishwuakee College in 2012.
Another attribute of the recipient is her dedication and advocacy for children’s emotional well-being and their right to access quality affordable child care. Her nominator wrote “she has an amazing love for Early Care and Education and shares this passion with the adult students she teaches at Kishwaukeee College. When she talks about best practices for young children her face lights up, it is truly her passion.”
Another nominator stated “When Sandy was my instructor she helped me understand how to see the world through the eyes of a child. This wisdom has stayed with me and has reminded me that children are constantly exploring their world and learning how everything works.
Petersen mentioned that our recipient, in her spare time, is an Au Pair instructor and mentor and had been a volunteer for the CASA program in Kane County. Kishwaukee College is lucky to have this year’s recipient of the Marian Baker Award on staff for the past 18 years.
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