- I was born in Missouri.
- I’m not really 25 years old. (Shh…I’m actually pushing 30!)
- I’ve had four homes in my lifetime. (First at UMSL, then on Olive in Olivette, next on North Lindbergh in Creve Coeur, and now on Ball Drive in Maryland Heights)
- I’ve been headed by just four people…two of them for 10 years each!
- I’m the product of a 1984 statutory mandate to provide parent education and family support services to all Missouri parents.
- My first name was New Parents as Teachers (NPAT).
- In 1985 I changed my name to Parents as First Teachers. But now I just go by Parents as Teachers.
- After residing statewide in Missouri, my first move out of state was to Ohio, Texas and Connecticut. Now I have homes in all 50 states as well as seven other countries.
- Some people consider me Missouri’s best export!
- I received a prestigious Innovations in State and Local Government Award from the Ford Foundation and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
- I first traveled internationally when I moved to Australia and Great Britain in 1991; the next year I moved to New Zealand.
- First Lady Barbara Bush visited me in 1991.
- I’ve testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in Congress.
- I was chosen as one of the “10 Children’s Charities That Deserve Your Support” by Parents magazine.
- I was also selected as one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For in a nationwide poll.
- The families served by my local affiliates speak more than 100 different languages!
- One of my first champions was a 45-year-old first-time father named Governor Kit Bond.
- I care about children. All children. That’s why my vision is “All children will learn, grow and develop to realize their full potential.”
- I’m one of only nine to receive the federal designation of “evidence-based home visiting model.”
- My Heroes at Home programs supported thousands of families at military installations across the country.
- I’ve worked with the U.S. Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Defense, and Bureau of Indian Education.
- A well-known researcher says about me, “…by starting at birth, Parents as Teachers starts at just the right time.” So proud!
- During my lifetime I’ve helped millions of children start school healthy, safe and ready to learn. Wow!
- My secret wish: I’d love to have a big birthday bash for my 30th birthday in 2014!
- I love it when parents share stories about me! [Share your story here.]