Professional Development - Meet Demita

One of the benefits of professional development is sharing what you learn with your colleagues. One person participates and so many others benefit, especially the children.

Demita Hill has been at PIC for 34 years. She has held every teaching position: afternoon Classroom Assistant, Assistant Teacher, and her current position as Lead Teacher in the Sunshines toddler classroom. 

Education and professional development have always been important to her.

Not long after becoming a full-time Assistant Teacher, Demita began working on her associate degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) at the Community College of Philadelphia.

And not long after earning her degree, she went back to school for her bachelor’s degree at Chestnut Hill College.

Demita took advantage of the TEACH (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) program. This state program offers early learning professionals a debt-free higher education, supporting them while they work to become stronger teachers and earn thriving wages.

PIC supports TEACH scholars by paying a portion of their tuition, giving them paid release time from their classrooms to focus on their studies, and providing a stipend at the end of each program year.

It was during this time that Demita also began attending DVAEYC (Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children) annual conferences. Demita feels that regardless of what she learns on the job or in school, there is always more to learn.

“There is always something to learn. The early childhood field keeps evolving. Standards keep changing. We implement different curriculums.”

Demita’s drive to learn has never faltered. In addition to pursuing her education, she has attended various conferences, taken many workshops (both live and online), and participated in PIC In-service days.

Recently Demita went to two conferences, one in D.C. and one in Atlanta. These conferences were enriching experiences where Demita heard from leaders in the field, met colleagues from all over, and deepened her knowledge on so many topics.  

And, aside from her own personal growth, “one of the benefits of professional development is sharing what you learn with your colleagues.” said Demita. "One person participates and so many others benefit, especially the children.”