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At East Coast Migrant Head Start Project (ECMHSP), we are committed to growth and excellence, beginning with our dedicated team. We aim to recruit and promote colleagues for career opportunities that utilize their strengths and talents and serve our mission.
As such, we are thrilled to announce recent newcomers, transfers, and staff promotions propelling our mission forward. Our commitment to promoting from within and attracting passionate professionals ensures that our teams across various locations are stronger than ever.
Let's celebrate these outstanding individuals who are transforming the lives of our children and families.
Early Childhood Education/Disabilities Coordinator
When Luz Lule started her journey at ECMHSP in 2001, she held a high school diploma and a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential to begin her work as a preschool teacher. Her passion for children and desire to make a positive impact on their lives drew her to our organization.
Motivated by a love for children, she aimed to help them learn through play and provide positive guidance, which inspired her to further her education. ECMHSP invests in their staff for growth and development, so Luz had the privilege of attending the Leadership Academy in 2024, where she was able to tune in on her leadership skills. Additionally, in May 2024, she earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (ECE). As a result of her hard work, dedication, and growth, on December 2, 2024, Luz was promoted to the position of Early Childhood Education/Disabilities Coordinator, where she works at the Belle Glade educational campus in southeast Florida.
Head Start Administrator
We’re also excited to celebrate the promotion of Paula Walker to Head Start Administrator for South Carolina Direct Services-Service Delivery Area 1. As a former Head Start student and parent, she is a firm believer that Head Start works! Her time spent as a Policy Council member and chairperson is what sparked her passion for Head Start and the valuable services and supports it provides to our communities.
Paula has dedicated over 30 years to serving low-income and disadvantaged families. She brings a wealth of knowledge in human services, youth dropout-prevention, grants management, and early childhood educational leadership. Her career began as a service coordinator for Clarendon County Disabilities and Special Needs, Independent Life Plan Facilitator for S.C. Disabilities and Special Needs Agency, and she also served as Program Coordinator and Executive Director of Communities in Schools of Clarendon County. Her tenure at East Coast extends back to 2013, reflecting her unwavering dedication and commitment to our organization's mission. For over 11 years, she served as the campus director at the Manning Educational Campus in Manning, SC and provided coaching and mentorship to other ECMHSP campuses and campus directors.
With a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of South Carolina-Columbia and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education Leadership from the University of Arizona Global Campus, Paula’s leadership in early childhood education contributes to the growth and development of the children we serve and the fulfillment of our mission.
Procurement Specialist
Darlene Hernandez-Velazquez started working at ECMHSP in January 2024 as an Enrollment Specialist at the Raleigh Corporate Office. In this role, she supported our families and campuses by helping children enroll in our programs. She shares that it’s been incredibly fulfilling to assist in creating opportunities for the children and families we serve. Darlene graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a minor in Spanish. During her time at UNC Greensboro, she discovered her passion for supporting the Latino community through programs like Continuando Mi Camino at the Emily K Center and the Center for New North Carolinians Volunteer Program at UNC-G. These experiences shaped her desire to make a difference in the lives of those from underserved communities.
In October 2024, Darlene transitioned into a new role as a Procurement Specialist at ECMHSP. This position has opened her eyes to many new skills in the Finance department and allowed me to understand the "behind-the-scenes" impact that every dollar we receive and spend has on our program. Making a positive impact on the lives of the families we support is one of the most rewarding aspects of her work. Darlene is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to something so meaningful and looks forward to continuing her professional journey in helping those who need it most.
Office Assistant & Receptionist
In October 2024, Suyuri “Yuri” Ramirez began her journey with ECMHSP as the Office Assistant Receptionist at the Raleigh Corporate Office. In this role, she manages a wide range of clerical and administrative responsibilities, while providing ongoing coordination and support to ensure the office runs smoothly. Her professional background is rooted in customer service, with extensive experience as a receptionist. She also brings unique insights from her time working in agricultural settings and as a teacher assistant at an early learning center, but also coursework in Early Childhood Education at Johnston County Community College.
The variety of her experiences has shaped Yuri's passion for supporting others and creating a positive impact. Yuri’s commitment to ECMHSP is to serve as a dependable resource for farmworker families, offering assistance and support to help them thrive. She takes pride in contributing to an organization that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
Community Collaboration Specialist
Tyler Schlup also joined ECMHSP in October 2024. Working out of Indianapolis, he is the Community Collaboration Specialist for Service Delivery Area 3 and is excited to use his expertise in community engagement to support and grow partnerships in Indiana, Alabama, and Oklahoma. He is happy to have the opportunity to support ECMHSP campuses, in so many locations, and to work for an organization that encourages and celebrates linguistic diversity.
He graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Spanish Education in 2017 and spent five years as an educator in Indiana public schools. While teaching, he fostered a love for supporting students and educators. After teaching, Tyler earned a Master of Science in Intercultural Communication from the University of Pennsylvania in 2023.
Learning Specialist
In early November, we welcomed Tonya McMillan as our new Learning Specialist with the Design, Development, & Innovation team in the Raleigh Corporate Office. She brings more than 20 years of experience in education. With an interest in learning and talent development, she focuses on helping individuals and teams grow through inclusive coaching and training.
She joined the organization because she is passionate about early childhood education and providing opportunities for others, but she also spent many years as a classroom teacher and is growing her career as a support to adult learners.
Tonya’s collaborative style and dedication to continuous learning make her a valuable partner in developing talent and enhancing our success at ECMHSP. Tonya has a B.A. in Elementary Education from UNC-Chapel Hill and an M.A. in Education from NC State University. Outside of work, Tonya enjoys time with family and friends, traveling, solving puzzles, and exploring new coffee spots.
Nutrition Specialist
In early December, ECMHSP was glad to have Fey Carbajal Cardoso join the Design, Development, & Innovation Team as a Nutrition Specialist, serving children in the Head Start program. She is a Registered Dietitian and recent graduate with a Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. During her dietetic internship, she completed her clinical rotation at High Point Regional Medical Center, her public health rotation at Alamance County WIC, and her advanced rotation at Summerfield Custom Wellness.
Fey entered the health field with the goal of giving back to her community and improving access to resources that support better health and nutrition. She is eager to continue her professional journey at ECMHSP and make a positive impact on the communities we serve.
Human Resources Associate
The holiday season brought our Human Resources team a special gift in Tajai Walters, who recently joined ECMHSP as an HR Associate. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, he graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Human Resources and a minor in Social Psychology.
As a first-generation American, Tajai values family and education, which aligns closely with ECMHSP’s mission. With a passion for supporting people and fostering collaboration, he’s eager to be a resource for our teams at both the Raleigh corporate office and across all Regional Campuses.
Campus Director
In late December, we also welcomed Pearl Saddler as our new Campus Director, in Saluda, South Carolina. She loves learning from children and watching them grow. Her passion has been working with children and families. Pearl’s inspiration is to provide high quality services to all the children and families we serve. With more than 20 years of experience in early childhood program development, implementation and supervision, Pearl holds a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Human Development from Mississippi University for Women and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Pearl is a certified Florida Department of Children and Families Train-the-Trainer. Pearl is proud to have served as a certified Endorser on the Council on Accreditation, Emergency Care Instructor, Professional Development Specialist, and taught state college child care training courses. She remains an active member of the National Head Start Association and came to ECMHSP to continue working within Head Start and learn about the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program. Outside of work, she loves spending time with family and friends, thrifting for great finds, gardening, and volunteering in her community.
About ECMHSP Early Childhood Education
East Coast Migrant Head Start Project was established in 1974 through a grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program Head Start program is a critical stakeholder in the broader early care and education ecosystem, working alongside childcare, pre-K, home visitation programs, and family, friend, and neighbor care with purpose to support the needs of young children.
Currently, ECMHSP operates 43 Educational Campuses and four family childcare homes across ten states providing holistic, high-quality early childhood education services for approximately 3,000 children from birth to age 5 whose parents work in agriculture. For more information, visit https://www.ecmhsp.org/