Celebrating A Champion Of Early Education

We are thrilled to announce Phyllis Ferguson, president of local non-profit Partners For Early Learning (PFEL) as our district's winner of the 2019 Community Leadership Award honoree of Southeast Washington Association of School Administrators (SEWASA).

PFEL began in 2013 as a means of supporting families and caregivers for children from birth to age 5 and Phyllis has worked with our schools for years to ensure children enter them prepared and ready to succeed.

She ensures PFEL's monthly courses for day care providers and early education teachers are well-attended and offer quality training and resources. She is a valued partner of our new Early Learning Center and the work its staff do each day.

A grant Phyllis pursued and won through the Benton County Gang and Crime Prevention Initiative secured funding for home visitors to touch base weekly with 32 families in Richland to provide resources and support.

Her dedication to our community, families and schools has had an immeasurable effect on our students' futures.