LCCAA Head Start’s newest center in south Elyria is now led by an experienced administrator new to the area.

Diana Rush relocated to Ohio, near one of her six children, after the Head Start center she operated in the Hudson Valley closed. The State of New York created a free, full-day, universal preschool program that impacted enrollment in hers and several other centers.

“I love what Head Start stands for,” she said. “I love that we help with the families and not just the children.”

In New York, after homeschooling her children for nearly three decades, Rush started as the Head Start center’s cook. She was promoted to a family advocate role (similar to LCCAA’s Family Service Associates) and then center director. Meanwhile, she continued to cook.

At her old center, the children attended a shorter day with no naptime, she said, but they also had summer hours. She’s looking forward to the site’s second classroom opening Nov. 12.

“I’m excited for the busyness and the sounds,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the team growing and just the energy of what it means to have more children and more families.”

In addition to vastly different state-based regulations, Rush said LCCAA’s use of Conscious Discipline is new to her.

“I love to learn too and I love Conscious Discipline and how well it is integrated,” she said. “It’s changing the way I speak. I love going into the classroom.”

Rush earned her Child Development Associate, Family Development Specialist and Children’s Program Administrator credentials all within the past year. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s of fine arts in creative writing.

Rush’s oldest daughter lives in Bellevue with her husband and daughter. Another daughter lives in Maine with her husband and their four children. One of her sons is planning a move to the Cleveland area and one will stay in New York for his job. Her husband, special needs son and youngest daughter will make the move to Ohio soon.