Presenting plaque to Dr. Pat Foster on behalf of Governor Rhodes is Chief of Staff, Greg Mendoza
Springtime rounds off our sixth Governor’s Employee of the Month recipient with Dr. Patricia “Pat” Foster, Ph.D. the March 2010 recipient. Dr. Foster’s work as Director of the Gila River Indian Community Head Start program
leaves no doubt of her exceptional abilities and dedication. Arriving at the GRIC Head Start in 2003, Pat as she prefers to be called, immediately took on essential upgrades of the program. These included a three year Quality Improvement Plan, a three year Professional Staff Development Plan and increases of college level teaching staff.
Her consultative approach that included staff, parents and tribal administration as support systems over the next several years brought the local Head Start program to national recognition. Continuing her relentless approach to the work, Pat lobbied and advocated for key staff positions that included a Child Disabilities Coordinator, a Cultural Coordinator for Pima and Maricopa culture and language and a Maintenance Foreman for oversight of properties and equipment. She continued to lobby for Mentor Teacher’s to assist the teaching staff to complete college degrees, for bus drivers, janitors and clerks; bringing the total number of staff from 45 to 60 with substantial funding increases to account for the new positions and services.
Pat’s vision has also included community outreach bringing such programs to the community as traditional O’odham dance performances. Elders have been invited to support the program by sharing such cultural experiences as language, history and the Ho’ok a’aga or legend telling night of the O’odham and Pee-Posh peoples.
Pat was born in Cedar Rapids Iowa. She is married with two sons and four grandchildren. She is an avid reader and dedicated to her family and grandchildren. Prior to her position at the local Head Start, Pat was an Early Childhood Education Instructor for the Community, a Program Assistant for the City of Phoenix Head Start, Director of South Mountain YMCA Head Start, Adjunct Professor at Central Arizona College and continues as adjunct faculty at South Mountain Community College. No doubt, the community holds Pat Foster in high esteem; not only for the excellent resume of education and experience that she brings but for her great appreciation of the vision and values that this Community wishes to uphold. Presenting plaque
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