We are very proud to announce that this spring, all classrooms of the José Martí Child Development Center (JMCDC) on Beacon Hill received designation as high quality centers of excellence by Early Achievers! Our longest-operating classes in the El Centro de la Raza building maintained their previously reached level 4, and our newest classrooms in Plaza Roberto Maestas reached level 3 for their first rating.
Early Achievers is Washington State’s Quality Rating and Improvement System and evaluates programs in five quality standards: child outcomes, interactions and environment, curriculum and staff support, family engagement and partnerships, and staff professionalism. The evaluation process includes a site visit from the University of Washington to review children and classroom files and an extensive File of Supporting Materials, as well as classroom evaluations using the CLASS and ERS assessments, which focus on the learning environment and interactions between teachers and children.
On Friday, June 21, the teachers and staff at JMCDC celebrated this wonderful accomplishment on Beacon Hill with a catered dinner and awards presentation to each of the staff who worked hard to reach and maintain this high level of quality. Congratulations to all of our JMCDC staff whose dedication and commitment made this possible, and also a huge thanks to our coaches Elidia Sangerman, Leah Breish, and Bob Findlay, who supported us throughout the entire process.
With the previous announcement that JMCDC at Hirabayashi also received a level 3 score, we are very proud that all three JMCDC sites have achieved this valuable designation, to continue providing high quality, dual-language education to our children and embodying our often-used quote by José Martí: “Para los niños trabajamos, porque ellos son los que saben amar, porque ellos son la esperanza del mundo.” This translates into, “It is for the children that we work, for they are the ones who know how to love, for they are the hope of the world.”