Former Head Start parent named Employee of the Year

E’rika Young has been named the 2013 Hanover County Support Employee of the Year. For the past three years, Young has been a teaching assistant/aide with the Hanover Preschool Initiative (HPI) at Mechanicsville Elementary School. Her role involves assisting students in the three preschool classes.

In addition to her school duties, she recently attained her associate degree and she plans to continue her education to earn a bachelors degree.

As a former HPI parent and HPI Policy Council member, she gained first-hand knowledge about the program before seeking employment with Hanover County Public Schools.  “Mrs. Young is always busy working, wearing her beautiful smile, and enthusiastically serving all of our students and staff members with kindness, generosity and compassion,” her colleague, Jennifer Madison, said.

Family and colleagues recently attended a reception in her honor at Mechanicsville Elementary School.  She will also be recognized during an upcoming Hanover County School Board meeting.

In the photo: Dr. Amy Woodward, principal of Mechanicsville Elementary School (left); E’rika Young, 2013 Support Employee of the Year (center); and Alicia Todd, assistant principal of Mechanicsville Elementary School (right).

Submitted by Dawnita Taylor-Biggers, Coordinator of Program Services, HPI