Feature Success Story: "We’re Changing Head Start"

Hatch Technology Helps An Oklahoma Head Start Achieve A Perfect Review Score

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Head Start recently had their triennial on-site monitoring review from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF), which oversees the Head Start program. The Choctaw Nation system received a perfect score, and was one of very few of the 52 American Indian Program Branch Head Starts reviewed last year to achieve that distinction.

Hatch’s TeachSmart and iStartSmart systems are a part of many classrooms in the Choctaw Nation Head Start system, and are credited with helping them receive a perfect score on their review. In this Head Start success story, you will hear from the administrators who chose to use these Hatch technologies, as well as a teacher who works with them daily and has seen the positive outcomes they produce.

How profound has the impact of Hatch technology been in the opinion of these dedicated educators? So profound that one of them says, without hesitation, "We're changing Head Start!"

Product Testimonials

"The TeachSmart^® Learning System is a wonderful resource to have for daily routines and lessons. It has revolutionized my teaching and created so much excitement for my children!"

Kellie Henry, Head Start Teacher for North Topsail Elementary School in Pender County, NC

"I just want to tell everyone about how wonderful [Hatch Classroom Installation Consultant] Barbara Trollman is! She has set up numerous instant classrooms for us and is currently installing 10 new children's computers at 8 different locations. The current job was extremely last minute but she fit us in and we got everything we needed in just a couple of days. She has always been amazingly helpful and knowledgeable! She always goes above and beyond what is expected of her and that is so hard to find these days! I want to let everyone know just how much we appreciate her and are thankful for her being our MI computer tech person/instant classroom installer, and everything else she has been for us! Thanks!"

Debbie Chambers, Education Coordinator for New St. Paul Head Start Agency

"The goal of the science program in my classroom is to create a community of learners that encourages children to explore their natural curiosities about the world through the use of developmentally appropriate practices and inquiry-based learning strategies. My classroom is a place where children are empowered to ask questions, explore, investigate, and formulate their own ideas through reflection and discussion with classmates and adults. The Discover Science™ Kit from Hatch has provided me with many of the supportive materials that I need to better support and facilitate the goals of our program.
The individual kits provide opportunities for children to explore a wide range of scientific concepts. The non-fiction texts, photo cards and vocabulary cards included in the kits help children build background knowledge while introducing new vocabulary. The presentation board introduces the steps of the scientific process to children and helps facilitate and guide their questions and discoveries.
The Discover Science™ Kit is an excellent resource for educators of young children. I highly recommend the Discover Science™ Kit to early childhood educators."

Kim Jackson, Demonstration Preschool Teacher for Project Enlightenment in the Wake County, NC Public School System
2008 recipient of the Delta Education Award for Excellence in Inquiry-Based Science Teaching by the National Science Teacher's Association (NSTA)

“Fit 4 You™ is an all-inclusive way to incorporate fitness and nutrition into the classroom,”

notes Elizabeth Moore, Operations Director of the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County in Ocala, Florida. Ms. Moore facilitates interactive training for child care providers to demonstrate the activities in Fit 4 You™ and stress the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles to young children.

“We use the fitness gym included in Fit 4 You™ as a classroom center. Children enjoy the materials picturing other physically active children. The comprehensive program incorporates literature and ties fitness and nutrition into areas across the curriculum.”

Cristine Zawatson, Principal of the Blackheath Pre-Kindergarten Program, part of the Long Beach, NY Public School System.

"In my 30 years of education, I have never experienced anything like the Hatch Instant Classroom. It is the best thing I have ever seen!"

Jean Rice with the Santa Rosa Church School in Destin, FL

"[Positive Beginnings™] has enabled teachers to empower children to experience classroom management through the development of structure, self-motivation, and ultimately a sense of belonging. It has had an impact on about 7,000 Early Childhood children in the LaJoya Independent School District."

Dr. Isaias Rodriguez, TEEM Project Director - Early Childhood Department, La Joya Independent School District

"Easy to follow - [Right on Target™] includes all the material you will need and everything is at your fingertips. Guidelines meet TEA, HS and NAEYC standards."

Anna Parker with the Atlanta Independent School District

"The Hatch Lending Libraries give our children an early start at literacy and language. They serve as one of our key parental involvement pieces."

Alicia Babin with the Laforche Parish School Board, Louisiana