When I started teaching high school science in Oklahoma in 2007 at the age of 55, I knew almost nothing about teaching. I’d taught Freshman Composition at a local college part time for a few semesters, but I’d never taught science, and never to pregnant or parenting teen girls. You’d think having a degree inContinue reading “FloCrit: Wraparound Services for Teen Families”
Author Archives: Janice Airhart
A Head Start…or a Step Back?
Just a couple of blocks from the campus for teen moms where I used to teach in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was an older elementary school that had been renovated to host a Head Start and Early Head Start childhood education program. One of the benefits of having a high school campus designed for teen momsContinue reading “A Head Start…or a Step Back?”
Promoting Children and Youth: Annie E. Casey Foundation
In 2001, I responded to an article in my local Tulsa, Oklahoma newspaper by applying to become a part of the Kids Count Leadership Team that was forming that year. It was sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF), which I’d never heard of. But the goals of the Leadership Team were to promoteContinue reading “Promoting Children and Youth: Annie E. Casey Foundation”
Nutritional Support for Moms and Babies: WIC Program
Just around the corner and down the hall from my classroom, when I taught at a school for pregnant and parenting teens was a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) office. They operated independently but were a vital resource for our students. Margaret Hudson Program, the nonprofit organization who owned the building we occupied, provided spaceContinue reading “Nutritional Support for Moms and Babies: WIC Program”
Your Story Matters: Mental Health Book Project
Your Story Matters There are a few more organizations to research and celebrate in my weekly newsletter who provide support to teen moms, but I’m taking a break this week to report on something else. I’ve been doing interviews the past several weeks with individuals who have mentally ill family members. The project is contractedContinue reading “Your Story Matters: Mental Health Book Project”
Healthy Teen Network
When I talked with Kate Westaby a couple of weeks ago for my post about the Young Parent Collective, she suggested I also create a post about the Healthy Teen Network, which she has partnered with for Young Parent Collective programs. I’ve done research on their site for my book about teaching teen moms, justContinue reading “Healthy Teen Network”
Choose Change: You never know where it’ll take you
Last year, I finished a memoir about my eight-year career as a science teacher to teen moms, called Subject to Change. My story emphasizes the human capacity for and willingness to change when unexpected things happen. Sometimes we choose change, too. When I started this Substack newsletter last year, it seemed only natural that IContinue reading “Choose Change: You never know where it’ll take you”
Power Behind the Young Parent Collective: Kate Westaby
Kate Westaby was 17 and a senior in high school when she discovered she was going to be a mom. Although it was discouraging, Kate was determined to graduate and provide a secure family for her son, which was difficult enough by itself. Despite the challenges, she successfully navigated the educational system to graduate andContinue reading “Power Behind the Young Parent Collective: Kate Westaby”
Young Parent Collective
This week, I’m featuring the Young Parent Collective in Madison, Wisconsin. Its guiding principle is that “All young parents can achieve educational dreams, career goals, and health and well-being for themselves and their children.” Everything the program does supports this belief. In 2022, Kate Westaby, who was working on her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, obtainedContinue reading “Young Parent Collective”
Empowering Teen Moms: YWCA
The YWCA is a familiar acronym but I really didn’t know what they do until one reader suggested I research the program they operate in Greensboro, North Carolina for teen moms. The organization has existed since the 1850s. Yes, they’re more than a century and a half old. I’m surprised I knew so little aboutContinue reading “Empowering Teen Moms: YWCA”
Janice Airhart 