Meet Sharon Blount, Head Start Parent and Student at the University of the District of Columbia

It’s not easy being a student, especially when you’re a parent of five and working full time. Throw in a pandemic, and it might seem impossible. Unless of course you’re University of the District of Columbia student Sharon Blount. 

“[This past] fall semester, I took five [classes]. Spring semester, I took four. I knew that I had to get it done. I don't think about it as being draining. I'm the type of person that if I have that drive, I want to do it, I want to get it done, I'm going to get it done.”

So far, Ms. Blount’s drive has helped her achieve an Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education. She next has her sights set on a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development, which she expects to complete in May 2022. This accomplishment is amazing when you consider this wasn’t originally part of the plan.

Originally, Ms. Blount went to Trinity University in 2008 with the intent to study Criminal Justice. Like many other students starting out in college, her choice of major wasn’t necessarily for a love of the field.

“It was just like, "You got to go to college,"” said Ms. Blount. “"Okay, but what do I go to college for?" You know? I felt like I just had to pick something. So I just [thought], "Okay, Criminal Justice." My mind wasn't even like set to even... I don't know. I just felt like I was a kid.”

Her decision to study Criminal Justice came from wanting to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Although Ms. Blount always excelled at school, tragedy led to a setback in her education. 

“Both of my parents passed away,” she said. “So that was a big thing for me. I went to school, but it was like my main focus wasn't school. I stopped going to school, and that's when I had different retail jobs.”

Although she was gone, the influence of Ms. Blount’s mother never left her. Along with Criminal Justice, her life’s work involved children. The impact of seeing her mom take care of foster kids and run her own summer camp stayed with Ms. Blount. This led her down a path that started off with working at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School aftercare program, culminating with her current position as an Assistant Teacher at DC Prep’s Edgewood Elementary Campus. 

While Criminal Justice was a field Ms. Blount had tried to pursue in order to get a degree, her pursuit of deepening her understanding of Early Childhood Education comes from a place of love.

“This is something that I want to do,” said Ms. Blount. “And just telling myself that, being in this field, in order for me to get to the top, there are certain things that I have to do, which is going back to school. [I had to get] my degree, unless I was just content with being a paraprofessional. But I knew that I had more to offer.”

While Ms. Blount was determined to return to school, it didn’t come without challenges. “One of my sons has spina bifida,” said Ms. Blount. Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect (NTD) that occurs when a baby’s neural tube fails to develop or close properly. “So back and forth to doctor's appointments, surgery, having to take off work, miss work. He also started physical therapy a couple of years ago, so he will have to go to that every Monday.”

Having an aunt and uncle help with her son’s appointments, as well as teachers giving her work when she can’t attend classes, have made things easier to manage for Ms. Blount. Another thing that has made things a bit easier is being able to send her children to Head Start over the years.

“I wasn't making a lot of money,” said Ms. Blount. “The fact that the low income [I made], that it was offered and what they offer to the children without me having to pay out-of-pocket was definitely a thumbs-up for me.”

According to the Economic Policy Institute, in Washington, DC the average annual cost of infant care is $24,243. In contrast, the cost of in-state tuition to a four-year public college is $5,756. This makes a year of infant care in the District $18,487 (321.2%) more expensive than a year of college.

With Ms. Blount’s fifth child born only last November, the savings Head Start provides will make juggling the financial responsibilities of being a parent and full time student a lot more manageable. So will having the peace of mind knowing that her youngest will get the same high-quality early childhood education of her other children.

“Sometimes just speaking with other parents who have children who didn't go to Head Start programs, what I did notice [is] those Head Start programs [focused] on the whole child and the social-emotional skills,” said Ms. Blount. “[There were] certain things they focused on that regular daycares didn't focus on. One of my friends told me her child just runs around all day. Even Montessori, it's different from what an actual Head Start offers.”

Despite having full confidence that the Head Start program she sends her youngest daughter will be top-notch, Ms. Blount can’t help but feel a bit nervous about being away from her for the first time. 

“COVID,” said Ms. Blount. “Just being aware and just knowing what we just came from. It's scary, period, and that's my baby, so just hoping for the best, but also being aware and just cautious. It's definitely scary. I didn't have this much fear with my other children, but it's definitely scary.”

If her history is any indication, Ms. Blount won’t have any trouble transitioning back to post pandemic life. This is especially true since when she returns to in-person teaching, she'll be more skilled and educated than before.

“What I would have done [before returning to school] and what I know now, it's totally different” said Ms. Blount. “It's just interesting. It's in my mind, and just my perspective on just how children develop, children with trauma, how you deal with them and just knowing the knowledge behind everything. It has definitely broadened my perspective. It has made me who I am today, as far as an educator and a parent.”