The Early Learning Career Launch (ELCL) is an initiative developed by United Way of Greater Charlottesville in collaboration with the UVA Pipelines & Pathways Pathways to Success: Early Childhood Educator Training Program. Through this collaborative, community-centered effort, participants complete four weeks of accelerated, paid training designed to prepare them to begin careers as early learning educators.
During the training, participants build foundational knowledge in areas such as child development, early language and literacy, social–emotional learning, behavior guidance, and creating engaging classroom environments. The program also emphasizes professionalism—supporting participants in developing workplace readiness, communication skills, and an understanding of expectations within early learning environments.
A key component of ELCL’s success is its partnership with local early learning programs, including the Piedmont Family YMCA Early Learning Center. During the training program, participants have opportunities to visit partner sites, meet with program leaders, and participate in on-site interviews. These experiences allow participants to observe high-quality classroom practices and connect with potential employers, helping both the educator and the site determine whether it is the right fit before a hiring decision is made.
After being hired, ELCL graduates continue to receive support through a mentorship program coordinated by United Way of Greater Charlottesville. During the first three months of employment, new educators are paired with on site mentors who help support their transition into the classroom, promote reflective practice, and build a sense of professional community with other educators in the field.
After recently opening the new YMCA Early Learning Center at Sentara Martha Jefferson, Piedmont Family YMCA Chief Executive Officer Jessica Taylor shared, “The ELCL program helped with our staffing needs to open a brand new Center and we look forward to continuing to work with the program on ongoing early educator needs.”
Now, with two cohorts of the program complete, several ELCL graduates are actively working as early learning educators at the YMCA Early Learning Center at Sentara Martha Jefferson. Get to know some of the friendly ELCL faces you’ll see in YMCA classrooms.
Maria Arellano
Infant Classroom
My name is Maria! I enjoy listening to music, reading, writing, and spending time with my friends and family. I love going on walks with some upbeat music and my favorite color is pink!
I enjoy working with infants and seeing the world through their eyes. I love observing how they learn and how happy they get when they accomplish tasks big or small. I am honored to be a part of their learning experience.
Tierra Newsome
PreK Classroom
My name is Tierra, and I am so excited to be a part of your child’s learning journey. I am passionate about working with children and helping build a strong foundation for their future while making them feel safe, supported, and cared for each day. As a mom of three boys, I truly understand the trust families place in us and value the partnership we build together. In the classroom, I love encouraging active learning through outdoor play, music, and movement. A fun fact about me is that, despite working with kids, I actually don’t like chocolate! On the other hand, I do love expressing my personality in fun ways, especially through unique sneakers you may spot me wearing in the classroom.
Amaiya Miller
Twos Classroom
Hi, my name is Amaiya! I have three years of experience in childcare and truly enjoy creating a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for children. The best part of my day is making crafts and watching children express their creativity! Outside of work I enjoy trying new things, traveling, and bringing fresh ideas into my work with kids.
Muska Akmal
Threes Classroom
Hello, my name is Muska! I am originally from Afghanistan and have been living in the USA for the past 7 years. I live with my husband and three children, and I have a bachelor’s degree in biology. This is my first time working in a childcare facility; however, I gained experience and knowledge about children while raising my three kids! My favorite hobbies are enjoying the outdoors with my family, going on walks, and watching T.V. I enjoy reading religious books and my favorite food is Afghani food. I also love visiting Afghanistan to visit my mother and my brother.