About Us

Maureen Stine, Executive Director, is fervent about her work in education, particularly her passion for working in the field of early care and education of young children. Her goals are to support young children’s development and learning through the consistent use of positive, meaningful, and respectful interactions. Maureen feels these quality interactions are essential in building and maintaining trusting and collaborative relationships with children, families, and adults. She believes that these relationships connections -- have the potential to positively impact children’s development and learning. Over the last two decades of her career, Maureen has also experienced the ways that quality interactions and positive relationships provide children with a sense of belonging and safety. It is her belief that this sense of belonging and safety supports children’s development and growth in literacy and creative, as well as other domains of development including social-emotional skills such as self awareness, self confidence, self efficacy, empathy and cooperation. Further, Maureen realizes how important it is for children’s ‘first teachers’ parents and family - to be involved in the learning process Maureen’s passion for connecting and engaging with children and families began early in life where she was born fourth child in a family of twelve children. Maureen’s mother, a creative, artistic elementary school teacher and tutor for over 40 years and her father, the family chef and witty, impeccably dressed sales manager for over 30 years, modeled and instilled a deep respect for life, abiding love of family, a robust work ethic, creative expressions through art and writing, and a passion for learning. This legacy influenced Maureen’s choice to become an educator soon after high school when she began college studies to become a teacher and artist. During college she met the love of her life, became a wife, and mother and along the way continued her educational pursuits earning an AA in Liberal Studies, BA in Psychology and Human Development, and an MA in Psychology/Child Development. Maureen’s career in education and child development spans over 24 years beginning as an elementary school instructional assistant, followed by employment as a preschool teacher, summer program director, substitute elementary and junior high school teacher, child development center Director, Site Supervisor/Teacher for state funded early education programs, mentor teacher for early education students, director mentor for local child development program directors, and Adjunct Child Development Professor at Copper Mountain Community College (retired). As part of her Master’s Program, Maureen researched, designed and implemented a successful literacy program for parents and children which included books, literacy-related activities, creative art, music and singing activities, resources, and family projects for use at home. Maureen authored a textbook of her MA thesis and project titled Supporting Early Literacy Through Attachment-Based Parenting. Participation as a member of elementary and college advisory committees, parent volunteer programs, and as practicum instructor traveling to local schools & child care centers, Maureen has found that in the vast, remote desert region of Morongo Basin there are limited opportunities for all children to have opportunities for enrichment literacy and art activities. Because of this, she questioned: How can all children be provided with more opportunities to participate in literacy and enrichment activities? Could supplemental & supportive literacy enrichment activities help support local schools/programs, family day cares and homeschooling families in their ongoing efforts to help children in their development and growth of literacy and art? A conversation with her daughter Melanie (who has been actively involved in education) about the need for literacy enrichment activities for children evolved into a brainstorming session. Then it became an a-ha moment! Utilize the components of Maureen’s MA literacy program, her expertise and training (along with her collection of children’s well-known books, literacy supplies, art materials, music, etc.) and her daughter Melanie’s experiences and accomplishments as artist, author, illustrator, professor, technology/computer instructor, and volunteer to design and plan elements & activities for a free community outreach program in the Morongo Basin. The answer -- Spark Growth! Literacy and Art Enrichment Program for children and families!