DAWN MONTECALVO
CEO, GUADALUPE CENTER, IMMOKALEE
Established in 1984, the Guadalupe Center provides high-quality, life-changing educational programs to more than 1,950 students annually. It is working to create a cycle of prosperity through education for students and families in Immokalee through three programs — the Early Childhood Education Program, After-school Tutoring & Summer Enrichment Program and its college-preparatory Tutor Corps Program.
EDUCATION: The College of New Jersey (BA), American University (MA)
IF I WERE GOVERNOR: Children are entering kindergarten with a deficit in literacy and math skills but also are developmentally and emotionally delayed. As the governor, I would focus on three areas to improve the early childhood education system: create opportunities to increase the number of providers to improve access; provide funding/incentives to address affordability of programs for all families; and implement standards to improve the quality of education so it is no longer considered childcare or babysitting.
READING: What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey
INSPIRING FLORIDIAN: Each of the 34,000-plus Floridians living in Immokalee inspire me every day. My early childhood education teacher who inspires the youngest learners. The mom who is grateful for the extra support her son receives so he overcomes his developmental delays. The daughter of an immigrant single mom, who works hard every day in the hot agricultural fields, accepted to three Ivy League universities. They are the most resilient, hard-working families who lack the resources to thrive.
