Early Childhood Educators to Meet Author and Poet

Fairfax County Department of Family Services
Office for Children
12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 920
Fairfax, VA 22035-1102
Contact: Lois Kirkpatrick, Marketing & Strategic Analysis Manager
Phone: 703-324-7162, TTY 711
DFSPIO@fairfaxcounty.gov

April 30, 2007

Early Childhood Educators to Meet Author and Poet
Mary Ann Hoberman on Provider Appreciation Day

Early childhood educators read Mary Ann Hoberman’s books and poetry to children every day in Fairfax County child care homes, centers and public schools.

Now it’s their turn to meet the beloved children’s book author and poet during a Provider Appreciation Day celebration, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at the Fairfax County Government Center.

“We take time out on Provider Appreciation Day to honor the Fairfax County child care community,” says Judith Rosen, director of the Office for Children in the county’s Department of Family Services. “These early childhood educators provide the important early literacy and learning experiences that children need to succeed in school and life.”

Hoberman is a poet and the critically acclaimed author of many books for children, including A House Is a House for Me, winner of a National Book Award. Other popular titles include Whose Garden Is It? and the You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You series. She also received the 2003 Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children, given by the National Council of Teachers of English.

Early childhood educators who have completed the educational requirement for the Office for Children School Readiness Certificate and the Northern Virginia Community College Infant/Toddler Certificate will also be recognized on Provider Appreciation day.

For more information about Provider Appreciation Day and Office for Children early literacy and school readiness initiatives, contact Dan Dildine, at 703-324-8042, TTY 711, or by e-mail at Dan.Dildine@fairfaxcounty.gov.