Margaret Willis

–  Margaret Willis, former Head Start teacher, Washington, DC

Margaret Willis with students

Greetings from England and congratulations on Head Start's 50th birthday.

You may be interested to know that I was a Head Start teacher at one of the five pioneer schools in 1965, organized by the White House. Mine was in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church on 6th Street, NW and I had 40 children in the morning and 40 in the afternoon, with two teachers and two aides, a cook, and a caretaker. I was hired by Mr. Norman Nickens, who approved my English nursery credentials, and the two years I spent at the school (my husband's work then transferred us to Japan) were wonderful and special. I loved each and every one of those children and their mothers, and we had many good times together.

I am thrilled that the program took off and that it is still going strong. Congratulations!