Hot Springs Early Childhood Association (HSECA)
Hot Springs area
President: Melanie Jackson
melanie.jackson@np.edu
Meetings
See our Facebook for updates about our upcoming meetings.
Hot Springs Dinner & Tribute
On Monday, April 17th we held our annual Dinner & Tribute night – ‘Early Childhood Professionals Who Are Difference Makers for Children-Families-Communities’ was the theme. Thank you to everyone who attended!
2024 Minutes
MEET THE BOARD
Melanie Jackson
President
I am married to my husband Chris. We have 4 grown children and two granddaughters. I have been in the early childhood field for 30+ years. I’ve held several roles from home daycare owner to a lead teacher and site supervisor. I attended Henderson State University where I received my bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in early childhood education. I am a Program Coordinator for Child Care Aware of West Central Arkansas, CLASS Pre-K Observer/trainer, CDA instructor and a CDA PD Specialist. I enjoy learning new tasks and working with children as well as adults. I look forward to gaining more knowledge as the Hot Springs Early Childhood Association President of Garland County and watching our group grow new members.
Christine Hudon
Vice President
Christine Hudon is the Director of Curriculum for Lakeside Preschool, Inc. She has been in this role for the last 20 years. Lakeside Preschool, Inc. was the first curriculum-based preschool in Garland County when they opened 20 years ago. They were among the first preschools to utilize the Quality (ABC) program when it began. With her bachelor’s in Early Education and a career time frame of 30+ years, she likes to explain her teaching philosophy as teaching & nurturing the Whole Child – Mind, Body, & Spirit. Christine is a transplant from Chicago, Illinois having now been in Hot Springs for 23 years. She has 3 grown children, 2 fantastic sons-in-law & 2 beautiful grandchildren with a third on the way. She is very excited to be part of HSECA with all the new possibilities arising around us for Childcare as well as Preschools.
Shannon Jones
Recording Secretary
My name is Shannon Jones. My husband, Kevin, and I have been married for 34 years and we have one grown son, Daniel. In 1990 we moved to Hot Springs from South Arkansas to serve as house parents for the elementary-aged boys at Hillcrest Children’s Home. I have been at First United Methodist Child Development Center in Hot Springs since December of 2000. I spent my first six months as infant support staff, fourteen years as the mobile infant lead teacher, six years as the assistant director, and the last year and a half as the director. When I‘m not at work I enjoy spending time at home with my husband and three cats. My husband and I also enjoy serving in various ministries at our church.
Donny Caudill
VP of Communications
My name is Donny and I am married to my beautiful wife Jessie, who is also a preschool teacher. We have two children, a son named TJ, who loves football and music and a daughter named Emma, who loves dance and keeping us on our toes. I am currently the Grant Coordinator and Data Specialist for Child Care Aware of West Central Arkansas and I absolutely love it. It’s so much fun being in a position that relates to what my wife does which gives us plenty to talk about. Prior to Child Care Aware, I was a Telecommunications Specialist in the Air Force for 10 years and then moved to the HR Manager position for another 10 years until I retired in 2014. For fun, I enjoy spending time with my family. We try to get outdoors as much as possible and love geocaching and playing Pokémon Go with the kids.
Samantha Crow
Treasurer
I am a single mom to a beautiful blonde hair, blue eyed 11 year old girl, Crystalyn Jewel. I love my family, friends, enjoy being creative, volunteering with my local fire department, I have a wild love for all animals. I am a Program Coordinator with Child Care Aware of West Central Arkansas. My office is located in Bryant. Before joining Child Care Aware, I was in Child Care/Preschool for 14+ years. I began after high school as a substitute teacher. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Child Care Management from Henderson State University in 2013 which allowed me to transition into an Assistant teacher position. 1 year later I moved into the role of Lead Teacher and then eventually became the Site Supervisor/Lead Teacher at another center. I am looking forward to working more with my community as part of the HSECA board.
Lasonia Broadway
Lasonia Broadway is the proud owner of Lasonia’s Activity Land Childcare Facility Established in 1989. A native of Hot Springs AR she has always given back to her community. Lasonia is married to Pastor James Broadway and together they are the overseers of Holy Ghost Headquarters Christian Ministries established in 1997 where she serves as Youth Pastor. Under this title Lasonia launched the organization C.S.F.J. Community Service for Jesus where youth show compassion and render acts of service to the community such as feedings, singing, gardening, and more. Lasonia has been married for 38 years and she has 5 adult children, 11 grandchildren and a bus load of nieces and nephews. Giving love has always been what Lasonia has displayed and children simply are her happy place. Whether she’s playing a game of basketball with the school age , acting silly with the toddlers, or singing the alphabet with preschool or cuddling the infants Mrs. Lasonia is always ready to get on the level of her students. It’s always a joy when children she rendered care for return back to the center with their littles for her to teach. She looks forward to joining the board and continuing to help grow the community of childcare.
Leslie Paschal Barnes
Membership Chair
Leslie Paschal Barnes is the Executive Director for the Community Services Office (CSO), which is one of fifteen Community Action Agencies in the state of Arkansas. In addition to a multitude of other services, CSO provides early childhood education services in eight counties throughout Arkansas. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education leadership, Paschal Barnes’ career, which spans more than thirty years, has always focused on advocating for children and families. Paschal Barnes is a proud native of Hot Springs. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, sightseeing and working crossword puzzles. She and her late husband have two children, Julian and Kristen, who reside in New York, NY.
Deborah Harp
Membership Chair
Deborah Y. Harp has a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health from Middle Tennessee State University. With over 11 years of dedicated service in Head Start and Early Head Start programs, discovered my true passion for supporting early childhood development and education.
Janice Washington
Membership Chair