Before welcoming children and families for a new school year, more than 100 La Casa de Don Pedro Head Start and Early Childhood Education employees came together for the organization’s annual Pre-Service Training Week, a time dedicated to learning, collaboration, and preparing to provide the highest quality care and education for Newark’s youngest learners.
This year’s training was held at several locations, including Felina in South Orange, where staff participated in professional development sessions designed to strengthen their skills, enhance teamwork, and reinforce La Casa’s commitment to excellence in early childhood education.
One of the week’s highlights was a Human Resources session, where employees learned about La Casa’s updated employee benefits package and received a preview of new benefits that will be introduced in the coming months. The session reflected the organization’s ongoing commitment to investing not only in the children and families it serves, but also in the dedicated employees who make its mission possible.
A special thank you goes to Tanya and the Human Resources team, whose thoughtful planning and coordination made this year’s Pre-Service Training a success.
The week also included a heartfelt moment of recognition for Wilma, an Assistant Teacher at La Casa’s 168 Roseville Early Childhood Center. Wilma was honored for an extraordinary milestone, more than 40 years of service in early childhood education. Her dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to helping children learn and grow have touched the lives of countless families throughout her career.
As the new school year begins, La Casa de Don Pedro is proud to celebrate the educators, administrators, and support staff whose passion and professionalism help create safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environments for every child. Their dedication ensures that Newark’s youngest learners have the strong foundation they need to succeed in school and beyond.


