Wednesday, April 26, 2023 / St. Louis, Missouri – YWCA Metro St. Louis is proud to announce that two of its staff members, Jessie Cannamore and Angel Clower, have been selected as the 2023 Missouri Head Start Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year.
Their dedication to early childhood education and commitment to improving the lives of young children and families have been recognized by the Missouri Head Start Association (MHSA), which has earned them these prestigious awards.
Jessie Cannamore, a teacher with YWCA Metro St. Louis Head Start since 2007, has been named the 2023 Missouri Head Start Teacher of the Year. With her passion for early childhood education, Jessie creates an engaging and nurturing environment for her students, fostering their growth and development. Her innovative teaching methods, coupled with her ability to connect with each child individually, have left an indelible impact on the children under her care.
Angel Clower, a member of the YWCA Metro St. Louis Head Start support staff since 2001, has been chosen as the 2023 Missouri Head Start Support Staff of the Year. Angel’s unwavering dedication to the well-being of the children and families she serves has made her an indispensable asset to the organization. Her exceptional organizational skills and compassionate nature have greatly contributed to the success of YWCA Metro St. Louis’ Head Start program.
Both Jessie Cannamore and Angel Clower will be honored alongside four other outstanding individuals at the MHSA Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon on May 11 in Jefferson City. They will be recognized and celebrated by Head Start professionals across the state.
“We are immensely proud of Jessie and Angel for their well-deserved recognition as Missouri Head Start Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year.” said Stacy Johnson, Chief Program Officer/Head Start Director, at YWCA Metro St. Louis. “Their passion, dedication, and commitment to the children and families in our community have made a lasting impact, and we are grateful for their invaluable contributions.”
YWCA Metro St. Louis is the largest provider of direct Head Start services in the state of Missouri and the largest grantee of Head Start services in St. Louis City and County, currently serving more than 1,200 children and their families. In 2022, YWCA Metro St. Louis received the National Program of Excellence accreditation from the National Head Start Association. In 2021, Stacy Johnson was named Administrator of the Year by the Missouri Head Start Association.
YWCA Metro St. Louis is the region’s leading advocate for the safety, security and stability of women and children, serving approximately 11,000 women, girls, and families annually. The mission of YWCA is eliminating racism and empowering women. YWCA offers housing for homeless women; crisis intervention and rapid re-housing for victims of sexual and domestic violence; economic empowerment for all clients; Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education; services for pregnant women; and racial justice educational programs.
YWCA 24-HOUR CRISIS HELP LINE 314.531.7273