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I can still remember the first day I met my Head Start teacher. She came to my house to introduce herself to my mother and me, and she let me pick out my very own name tag. It was a yellow bear made out of construction paper and she wrote my name across his belly - Penny. I was so proud of that bear, and I wore it every day to school. Choosing that name tag was the first of many choices I would make through out the years to come. It marked the beginning of a long journey, with many ups and downs, with many memories and achievements. It marked the beginning of my education. Oh what a memory!
Head Start has always played a significant role in my life. I do believe the social skills, as well as cognitive skills I learned at such a young age helped to dictate my future. Throughout my school years I accomplished many personal goals: Class Achievement Awards, Cheerleader for four years, Who’s Who Among American Women, National Honor Society, Freshman Class President, Senior Class President, as well as participated in Business Professionals of America and 4-H. Upon graduating from high school, I continued my education, receiving an Associate’s Degree at the College of Southern Idaho and graduating from Abundant Life School of Ministry in La Marque, Texas.
Since then I have held a couple of different jobs. I worked as a Family Service Specialist for the Head Start Transition Program - where I worked with past Head Start graduates as they progressed from kindergarten through the 3rd grade. Offering the same benefits they received from Head Start and monitoring their success/concerns, while keeping ongoing documentation. I also worked for the Twin Falls School District as a Student specialist for the FAST Program. Here I worked with children/youth from Kindergarten to 12th grade with emotional disabilities.
From there I went on to obtain my Real Estate License and upon completion of the course became the coordinator for Real Estate and Homebuyer Education Classes at the College of Southern Idaho.
Two years ago, my husband and I moved to Pocatello, Idaho and started a new church, Redemption Christian Center. This huge step of faith has given us, as pastors, the opportunity to begin to teach others the importance of self-worth. You see one thing I learned over the years is that I am worthy and I do have a purpose, but only if I see myself as such. In Head Start I was worthy enough to choose that yellow bear. That yellow bear allowed me to realize that my future is my choice; and I believe that my education and values have helped me to choose wisely.
Today, I am grateful for the path my education has taken me on. It continues to encourage me to press onward.
Penny M. Johnson
Former Head Start Student
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