STCC student paves the way in HCS Head Start partnership

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College student Jazlyn Villafane is gaining hands-on experience in the Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield (HCS) Head Start program, observing and working with children as part of her quest to earn a certificate in early childhood education.

As the first STCC student to assist at the recently opened campus location for HCS Head Start, Villafane, 37, is reinforcing the strong partnership between STCC and the early education federal program. HCS Head Start held a ribbon cutting for its new location in Building 14 at STCC in September 2024. While this is the first partnership with Head Start on the STCC campus, STCC has been partnering with Head Start for quite some time.

A dedicated mother of four and a grandmother, Villafane has always had a deep love for children and education. She is on track to graduate with an associate degree in August 2025. Through her practicum at Head Start, she will also earn a certificate of completion, further enhancing her qualifications in the field of early childhood education. To complete her practicum, she is required to put in 150 hours of hands-on experience at Head Start.

“I love kids. They’re just so sweet, and they need a lot of loving. They need protection,” Villafane said.

As part of her practicum, Villafane works closely with young children, including those with autism and other developmental challenges. She enjoys the challenge of helping children navigate their emotions and daily routines.

“Being patient and creative is essential,” she said. “Every child learns differently, and as a teacher, you have to be ready to adapt.”

Villafane works 7 a.m.-9:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, at HCS Head Start, and then heads off to her full-time job. She plans to increase her hours at Head Start to reach the 150-hour requirement. On a recent day with the children, she read a Dr. Seuss book and helped them understand rhyming words.

We have many community partnerships that we are very proud of right now. A highlight of this year for us has been the development of our partnership with HCS Head Start right here on campus. Professor Aimee Dalenta, Coordinator, Early Childhood Education Department

“When I come in, I do ‘circle time,’ where I say good morning, and we talk about what we’re going to do for the day,” she said. “I might ask them to tell me about the weather or talk about the days of the week.”

The partnership between STCC and Head Start provides students like Villafane with invaluable real-world experience while supporting the local community’s early education needs. Head Start serves children from birth to 2.9 years old (Early Head Start) and from 2.9 to five years old (Head Start), preparing them for kindergarten in a nurturing and structured environment. The STCC campus location allows students pursuing careers in early childhood education to gain hands-on experience while completing their studies.

STCC offers preparation for careers in all levels of education – early childhood, elementary and secondary.

“It’s a really comprehensive program that helps place teachers out into the field,” said Dr. Aimee Dalenta, program coordinator of the Early Childhood Education Department and professor at STCC.

Students can pursue a certificate, which can be completed in one semester. A certificate is the primary way STCC places teachers into early childhood settings such as Head Start. Students can also choose to pursue a two-year transfer degree, which is a pathway to a bachelor’s degree and a career as a K-12 teacher.

“We have many community partnerships that we are very proud of right now,” Dalenta said. “A highlight of this year for us has been the development of our partnership with HCS Head Start right here on campus. We have student teachers there and students from our program like Jazlyn who are able to do observation hours. It’s a unique opportunity for hands-on experience for our students in the early childhood and elementary education tracks.”

Dalenta coordinated placements for students in various daycare settings, and Villafane’s placement at Head Start underscores the program’s expanding opportunities.

“This partnership between STCC and Head Start creates meaningful opportunities for students to gain real-world experience in early childhood education,” said Steven Nelson, Interim Dean of Liberal and Professional Studies at STCC. “Jazlyn’s placement is an exciting step forward in our collaboration with Head Start, and we hope to see many more students follow in her footsteps.”

In addition, STCC early college students (area high school students earning college credit) fulfill a course requirement by conducting observations at the campus HCS Head Start.

Nicole Blais, CEO of HCS Head Start, emphasized the importance of the collaboration between Head Start and STCC. “We are thrilled to partner with STCC to provide students with practical experience in early childhood education. Jazlyn’s work with our children is a testament to the impact that dedicated educators can have on young learners. We look forward to continuing this partnership and welcoming more students into our classrooms.”

For Villafane, the Head Start experience is not just about meeting academic requirements – it is about preparing for her future. She dreams of opening her own daycare and possibly continuing her education to earn a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She has already taken steps toward this goal, having submitted her license application and begun acquiring the necessary materials for her future daycare.

“I want to show my children and grandchildren that you can work full-time, go to school, and still achieve your dreams,” she said.

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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