print

Shanna Matti is from Glide, Oregon. She moved to Lane County to obtain her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education program; that was 19 years ago. She started subbing and helped start the Infant/Toddler program at a childcare community site. While working as the Head Infant/Toddler teacher, Shanna went back to school online and received her Bachelors degree in Organizational Management with a concentration in Education. Once graduated she started at Head Start of Lane County in 2008.

Did she stop there, no. While working at a rural site, she decided to go back to school and completed her Master’s in Education Specializing in Early Childhood Education and Reading Literacy. WOW!

At HSOLC, Shanna has been a Head Teacher, Early Childhood Education Coordinator, Assistant Regional Manager, Regional Manager, and now Early Head Start/Head Start Assistant Director.

In her free time Shanna enjoys reading, going back home, exploring museums, and learning about history.

Are you a parent? Were you or are a EHS/HS Parent?
I am a parent, and I was Head Start parent. My daughter, Cady Jo attended The Grand Head Start (Whiteaker) for two years. As a parent I participated in evening Creative Parenting classes,  that I continue to use.
Are you from Oregon?
I was born in Oregon but, when I was a baby, my Mom moved my siblings and I to Bakersfield California. However, when I was five and my Mom’s job was relocating to San Francisco, she made the choice to move us back to Glide where we could grow up on the family ranch and be around all of our family. I grew up herding sheep, bagging wool, peeling logs and visiting my elderly aunts who lived on the road.
What surprised you the most about Head Start?
What surprised me the most about Head Start were the family services and the quality of trainings for Head Start staff. When I worked at a Child Care Community site, I felt that I learned so much at the Head Start trainings that supported my professional development. I also felt like the parents who were getting the Head Start services were getting the best supports because of the family services lenses. So, I made it my goal to work at Head Start.
What would you tell parents about EHS/HS you think they really need to know?
I would say that Head Start of Lane County is an amazing program that supports the whole family, that listens and has opportunities that other programs do not offer families. For example, our Parent Policy Council.  It is an opportunity to participate on a board, made up of elected parents reviewing and approving policies in addition to approving new hires. As a parent I value that I work for a program that supports parents having a voice in their child’s education.