Texas Border Business
| By Amanda A. Taylor-Uchoa RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – Marta Salinas, early childhood education coordinator at the UTRGV Child Development Center (CDC) on the Edinburg campus, has many roles, including overseeing curriculum for the center as well as making sure her team complies with the Texas Rising Star Program. Her goal is to ensure that all students at the center are receiving the best early education they deserve, and to help parents see their little ones succeed. While she has worked with UTRGV for nearly a decade, she said her favorite thing about her long career is still being able to see the littlest Vaqueros graduate and move on to the next steps in their educations. WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT UTRGV? As the early childhood education coordinator, I have many roles. I make sure that we are following Child Care Regulations and complying with the Texas Rising Star Program. I oversee the curriculum component for all our center to ensure that our students are receiving the best early education they deserve. Having our students reach their developmental milestones is just as important, therefore, opportunities are created for parental involvement with a range of activities that support and extend their child’s learning at home. HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED HERE? I have been with the University for 9 ½ years.I started in the classroom as an early childhood specialist teaching 3- to 4-year-old children. For the past four years, I have been the early childhood education coordinator for the Child Development Center. DESCRIBE YOUR AVERAGE DAY? My day starts by welcoming our staff and students and answering any questions a parent may have regarding their child. Leading the program in accordance with the center’s goals and principles of developmentally appropriate practices along with other federal, state, and local requirements. I interview, hire and train incoming assistant teachers. I create flyers to promote the CDC’s activities. I meet with individuals or groups to provide information, explain programs and address problems or issues. I initiate and maintain partnerships and cooperative and collaborative relationships within the university, and with private and public agencies and organizations to better meet the needs of our families. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? My favorite part of the job is when I have a moment to enter the classrooms and I get to sing a song, read book or just be silly with the children. I love the interaction with them. Listening to what they have to say and want to share with me. I have golden opportunities to enter their classroom and make a difference in their day. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY, OR STORY, ABOUT YOUR TIME HERE? The memories that are near and dear to my heart are the graduations we have had. The proud moment of seeing our youngest Vaqueros walk across the stage knowing we have built a strong foundation for their future learning and life itself. Those memories will last me a lifetime. TELL US SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? Many people don’t know that one of my greatest dreams is to continue my education with UTRGV and become a professor with an emphasis in early childhood education here on campus. Early childhood education is a passion! WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UTRGV COMMUNITY? In November of 2021, I coordinated a canned food drive at the center. Our parents donated a grand total of 1,123 pounds of food benefiting the UTRGV Student Pantry. Also, I coordinate with the UTRGV Counseling Department to provide three parent trainings for our student parents with a focus on their mental health and time management skills. I am a proud UTRGV alumna and a proud UTRGV mom. |
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