Child Development Center began educating children 18 years ago and has become one of the largest children’s learning centers in the state of Oklahoma. The center uses a state-certified curriculum taught by teachers and master teachers in each classroom.
Longtime employee Megan Walker, a master teacher in the toddler room, sat down with the Hownikan to discuss her history with the center and tell us a little bit about herself.
For those of us who do not know you, could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
“I grew up in Prague, but now live south of Tecumseh with my husband, Dusty and children, Zak, 13 and Zoie, 8. Although I am not a tribal member, I am one fourth Japanese and most people don’t believe me when I tell them that.
“My husband and I own a dozer business that we run together. That may not sound like much to the average person, but my husband is paralyzed from mid-chest down. He had a terrible 4-wheeler accident seven years ago. For our business to succeed, we had to install a lift on our dozer which allows him to get on and off of the equipment.”
How long have you worked for CPN?
“I have been with CPN and worked at the Child Development Center under Donnette Littlehead for 12 years.”
What made you want to work for CPN?
“I was a stay-at-home mom and needed to find employment with benefitsso that bills could be paid and my little family could have insurance. A friend of mine was leaving the Tribe and told me to apply. She told me about all the great opportunities there were at the Tribe, so I gave it a whirl and here I am years later.”
Did you always want to be a teacher?
“I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a very young. Public schoolteaching was my ultimate dream, but high insurance costs have prevented that from happening. Teaching for CPN is the next closest thing. The only difference is I’m teaching a lot younger children and that’s just as fulfilling as a public school teaching position.”
What are some of your day-today duties?
“They include teaching a state certified High Reach Curriculum to my toddlers along with colors, shapes, ‘A-B-C’s’, and ‘1-2-3’s’. I do a lot of hands on learning experiences and provide a safe and loving learning environment to my little ones to grow and learn in.”
If you would like to learn more about the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Child Development Center, please visit cpn.news/cdc. To learn more about employment opportunities with the Tribe, please visit www.FireLakeJobs.com.