Giving Kids a Great Head Start: Spotlight on Two Remarkable Shasta County Teachers

Teachers typically have their hands full every school day. That is especially true for those taking on our pre-K kiddos. The unique challenges that come with honing these young minds require skill, dedication and above all, patience.

There are many dedicated teachers in the North State and Shasta Head Start (SHS) teachers Chelsea Moreno and Haley Keefe are two spectacular local standouts in the field. Chelsea and Haley are devoted to nurturing curiosity, creativity and compassion in the children they care for, going above and beyond as early childhood educators (ECEs).

Chelsea Moreno’s love of children and her joy in teaching is evident in all she does as primary caregiver at the Early Head Start Oakview Center. Photos provided by Shasta Head Start

Chelsea Moreno; caring for children from the beginning

Chelsea Moreno has many skills and accomplishments to pull from in her role as a primary caregiver at Early Head Start Oakview Center,

Chelsea started her journey in child care at an early age. She looked after her three siblings when she was young. “I remember how amazing it was to watch them grow and learn things for the first time,” Chelsea recalls. “Becoming a teacher is how I can keep helping children grow at a crucial stage.” 

Chelsea joined the SHS team in 2014 as a kitchen aide, but it wasn’t long before her drive to help children and their families saw her transition. First, she became a classroom aide. Through work and continued education, she soon earned the position as a primary caregiver. 

“It became evident that Chelsea had a gift for working with children and that while she was great in the kitchen, she would be even greater in the classroom,” says Christina Knowles, Early Education Head Start Manager for SHS.

Making impacts in the lives of students and mentees

Chelsea puts her talents – along with her Child Development Associate Teacher Permit and Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE)– to work by both nurturing the youngest minds at Oakview Center and inspiring ECEs as an Early Head Start mentor for Shasta College. 

“Chelsea is a shining example of what happens when someone takes their innate skills and works to build them into a career,” Christina says. “It has been an honor to watch Chelsea grow in her career and in her passion for serving children and families. We are proud to have Chelsea as part of the SHS family!” 

SHS teacher Haley Keefe is dedicated to giving young children a head start in life. Photos provided by Shasta Head Start.

Haley Keefe: Education and a plan

28-year-old ECE Haley Keefe introduces herself as a mother, a teacher, a creative and a lifelong learner. This devoted nature permeates everything she does. Whether she’s nurturing the growing minds under her care or watering the garden of her own knowledge base, Haley is always seeking to expand understanding of human nature.

Haley’s journey began in 2015 when she first enrolled in Santa Barbara City College. Working full time in a Montessori style preschool to put herself through college, she started out as a psych student, resurrecting the college psychology club and even serving as its president for two years. Leaving with two associate’s degrees (Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences), she transferred to San Francisco State University.

At SFSU, Haley’s star continued to rise. She was accepted into the President’s Leadership Program, impressing mentors while earning a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, a minor in philosophy and continuing to make ends meet as a day care teacher. Leaving school with degrees in tow, a fledgling business underway and new inspiration, everything seemed to be headed toward growing a business.

Hardship, hard work and a new trajectory

The 2020 pandemic came and with it a great deal of change. Haley moved to Texas, where she shifted her focus to ECE. Enrolling in Johns Hopkins School of Education, she joined the Urban Teachers Cohort, pursuing a master’s in elementary education. The Urban Teachers Program’s mission was disrupting systems of racial and socioeconomic inequity. That core tenet kindled Haley’s new calling. She returned to California to meet her destiny in the North State.

“I found beautiful work at Shasta Head Start. The Head Start program was designed by President Lyndon B Johnson in 1964 as part of his movement to end the war on poverty. President Johnson’s mission to help preschool children and low-income families speaks to me on a personal level,” she explains. “Giving children a head start in life is part of our calling as teachers who represent Head Start programs.”

  That’s why she also works to help mentor the newest crop of ECEs at Shasta College, along with running Head Start’s Cottonwood Center. 

Suzanne Miller, director of the Toddler and Preschool Center at SHS said of Haley, “She has such a big heart for the work she does and for the children and families in her classroom and care. She is one to watch and will continue to do amazing things in the early childhood education world.” 

Sarah Bogener, an Area Manager for SHS, agrees. “Haley has shown her passion in working with children with special needs, collaborating with a team and the family to set the child up for success in the upcoming school years,” she says. “Through all these amazing qualities, Haley is the representation of who we are at Shasta Head Start.”

With all that goes into the work they do, Chelsea and Haley consistently exceed expectations with joyful hearts, helping to make the North State a great place to grow up.