(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Pat Stack has been named Alaska’s top Child Care Administrator by the Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC). The announcement was made at the annual conference recently held in Juneau.

The award acknowledges the PeaceHealth Ketchikan Child Development Center Manager as one of the “founding fathers of early care and education in Ketchikan” and notes that “through his work over the last twenty years, he has positively influenced the lives of children, strengthened families, and has changed the course of early childhood in our community and in our state.”

Juniper Justice is pictured with PeaceHealth Ketchikan Child Development Center's Manager Pat Stack
Photo courtesy PKMC

Jessica Mills Clark, M.Ed., AEYC Outreach Liaison, said in an email, "The thing that stands out about your award is that you were nominated by the Community of Ketchikan, not just one individual, but many members of our community."

Stack was, as is his custom, modest about the award, “It has been a blessing to be part of so many family’s lives. This award is a testament to the caregivers I have been so blessed to work with over the years; past, present, and future.”

Ken Tonjes, the CAO of PeaceHealth Ketchikan, spoke for the Medical Center, “Pat is a remarkable man. His love of life, deep faith and commitment to the children he cares for is evident every day. We all should feel fortunate that Pat leads our Child Care program, as I can’t imagine a better person in that role. Thank you Pat for who you are and all you do. And congratulations on a well-deserved honor, and it’s nice that your talents and expertise are recognized by others outside of our community.”

Pictured singing along with Stack is Sophia Schulz.
Photo courtesy PKMC

Many people added to the nomination: “Pat’s commitment to excellence is seen in everything he does”; “he understands the critical role child care plays in the daily life of families”; “Pat truly cares about the children that are in his care” and, “he never seems to run out of energy of love for the people he works with, big or small”.

Stack is also a musician. He leads a popular local band “Seven Year Cold” and brings music to the Center too, singing and playing guitar. His version of “Speckled frogs” is always a hit and “Joy in my heart” is a rousing sing along.

The PeaceHealth Ketchikan Child Development Center
Photo courtesy PKMC

His influence resonates years after his charges no longer attend the Center. A thirteen year old boy who was in his care for over eight years had this to say, “I think I got involved in music because Pat used to play guitar a lot. I don’t think I am doing music now because I want to be just like him, but I think my conscience learned that good people do music and that helped me decide to learn to play.”

On the Web:

Paul Stack's Nomination presented at the Association for the Education of Young Children's (AEYC) annual conference in Juneau.
http://www.sitnews.us/0416News/040516/Heart_and_Mind.pdf

Source of News:

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center
www.peacehealth.org/ketchikan

 

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