The
�Voice �Alumni
Summer/Fall 2009 volume 4 issue 1
in this issue
Dean's Corner - 2
Greetings from the President - 2
Program Spotlight - 3
Recent News - 5
Alumni Connect - 6
Alumni Events - 7
And, she should know. A graduate of Moraine Park's Early Childhood
Education program, Dekker is as ingrained in her community as she
is committed to her role as child care director at the Fond du Lac
Family YMCA.
Always committed to helping others � especially children � Dekker
sits on the Child Care Resource Referral Board of Directors for
Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Winnebago counties, and she is part
of an ongoing Fond du Lac County committee to improve the social
and emotional health of children.
It's fitting that Dekker has found her niche helping children learn, grow
and flourish at the YMCA Child Care Center, which serves 96 children
and offers two 4-year-old preschool programs. She not only teaches
children in the classroom, she oversees enrollment, management and
training of 20 staff members, kitchen administration and accounting.
Meanwhile, Dekker ensures the facility meets licensing standards
required by the state.
With a Head Start classroom on-site, the YMCA and Dekker are able
to also help families in need. Head Start is a federal program for pre-
school children from low-income families who participate in a variety
of educational activities, receive free medical and dental care, and
are served healthy meals and snacks.
And, because the YMCA is closely linked to Head Start and the United
Way, Dekker can lend a hand to families that come upon hard times.
"We can connect them with organizations that can assist them," she
says. "We have one program that allows for free child care for two
weeks if a parent loses their job. The YMCA is very service-oriented;
we aren't just here to watch kids while parents work. There's a
lot more to it. We are here to support the whole family."
Dekker credits Moraine Park with giving her the necessary tools
to excel in her chosen vocation of child care � a big switch from
a 17-year career in the banking industry.
"When I went back to school I was over 30 � older than most
students � but I felt accepted," she says. "My teachers took
time to be sure I totally understood class, our lessons and
assignments. They made me feel comfortable."
As a working mother � their daughter, Kathy, is now 23 � Dekker
completed her college degree in five years by taking a class or
two a semester and working at Tiny Tech, Moraine Park's on-site
day care center. The Early Childhood Education program provided
Dekker with educational theory and extensive hands-on training.
"I really loved the core classes taught by people from the industry
who knew what they were talking about," she recalls. "They provided
life lessons � examples from real life � and understood what it took
to teach children."
As part of her coursework Dekker worked at Tiny Tech, where she
taught children and received instructor guidance simultaneously.
For her practicum, she left campus and worked for other child care
centers. "The practicum portion of the program gives students the life
experience they need to practice what they have learned," she says.
"Moraine Park does a great job of giving students all the aspects
of child care that are needed. It's one thing to be a good teacher in
the classroom, but you also need to know about nutrition, running
a kitchen, how to deal with families and how to manage multiple
administrative duties."
As the head of the YMCA Child Care Center, Dekker now trains
Moraine Park students who are working on their practicums.
"I love working with adult students," she says. "That's something
the average child care provider doesn't have the opportunity to do."
A proponent of Moraine Park's child care program, Dekker has
hired several program graduates through the years. "They are well-
prepared and have the critical skills needed to excel in this field."
Dekker, who admits she's humbled by the Distinguished Alumnus
Award, offers solid advice to 2009 Moraine Park graduates. "Choose
a career you love because it will take up a major portion of your life,"
she says. "Always give more than you receive and, if you see some-
thing that needs to be done, do it. If you give your job and community
service 100 percent, you will get so much more in return."
Dekker is a life-long resident of Fond du Lac. An active member of
United Covenant Church, she has directed the children's choir, taught
Sunday school and helped coordinate vacation Bible school. At the
Fond du Lac Community Theatre, Dekker has acted, crewed and
helped develop costumes for several community performances.
And, as a member of the Waters Elementary School Parent
Teacher Organization, she has served as treasurer and president.
Experience
�AssociateDegree,1995
�MoraineParkTinyTech,1994-2002
�FondduLacHeadStart,2002-2003
�FondduLacYMCA,2003-present
Michelle Dekker
Moraine Park's 2009 Distinguished Alumnus
"Life isn't just about you," says Michelle "Shelli" Dekker, Moraine Park's 2009 Distinguished Alumnus Award
winner and a woman who works tirelessly to better her community and profession."There's a community,
country and world that needs you."
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