Val Stetler Named CAT Pickering's November Student of the Month

Val, a senior majoring in early childhood care and education at CAT Pickering, also works part-time at the Warwick Childcare Center in Elverson.

In school

According to her teacher Mrs. Paula Dugan, Val has shown strength by making tough decisions about not participating in events such as Student Council, Student Forum, and other extra curricular activities so that she can focus her attention on her studies to help her meet her educational goals. She was nominated to represent the senior class on the yearbook committee, but realized that she was missing a great deal of class time and feared lowering her grades. This proves her to be wise and mature. She is helpful to others in her academic classes, and she sets a good example for by completing her work, asking for help if she needs it, or simply asking/answering questions appropriately to facilitate progress in the classroom. To this date, middle school teachers still check in on Val in amazement of her strengths and devotion to constructing her education and then choosing a field to help inspire the love of learning in others.

Val’s dedication and talents have awarded her a silver medal in the Skills USA competition in the Early Childcare event; and a silver medal at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) competition in the cooperative Start Event on Bullying.

Val also serves as a peer mentor and utilizes her real-world experiences and genuine gift of caring to help mediate issues that arise in the classroom and school environment.

At work

Val’s supervisor has given her monetary awards to for successfully new staff orientations, Better Kid Care trainings and attending professional development trainings on her days off from school. Because Val is participating in these forms of professional development, she is helping her center to obtain the highest Keystone Stars rating awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare. This rating system is part of the State of Pennsylvania initiative to provide high quality childcare by educating and training professionals. As a result, Val will be eligible for the Keystone Star T.E.A.C.H scholarship program, which will pay 80% of the tuition, 70% of the cost of books and some travel and flex time for students who work 20 hours per week and major in early child care education in college. Val plans to participate in this program at Montgomery County Community College next year. Meanwhile, Val is working towards Child Development Associate (CDA) accreditation while still in high school diploma.

In the community

Val is helping to make people understand the dangers of Shaken Baby Syndrome, and is producing a product to help spread awareness of life-threatening syndrome.

There doesn’t seem to be anything Val takes for granted in life, as she give her best to each and every situation, no matter what the obstacles. These accomplishments are a by-product of Val’s sheer determination. When you observe Val teaching in the preschool setting, you will notice that she gives a great deal of care and attention to literacy. Her lesson plans are rich in interactive story-telling and phonemic awareness.