The newly created position focuses on coordinating all the center's curriculum across its five different sites in Katonah, Bedford Hills and Yorktown, as well as across the different age groups it services. The center cares for more than 400 children from infancy through fifth grade and operates before- and after-school programs for the Katonah-Lewisboro and Bedford Central School districts.
“We want to make sure all of our centers are on the same page,” Keksis said. “I will take the best practices from all of our different areas of teaching and share them with the staff."
Another aspect of her game plan includes having monthly staff meetings, conducting individualized classroom observation and coaching teachers, Keksis said.
Keksis, a native of Flagstaff, Ariz., has lived in northern Westchester the past four years. She has a B.S. in elementary education from Northern Arizona University and currently is working on her master’s degree.
In addition to her previous job teaching pre-schoolers at the Mount Kisco Child Care Center, Keksis is a former assistant director for a nonprofit organization serving the homeless population and has worked in several before- and after-school child care programs.
Country Children’s Center Executive Director Polly Peace praised Keksis for her enthusiasm, creativity and follow-through. Peace said recent expansions to some of the the center's sites has created the need for more coordination to ensure consistent instructional quality across the board.
"The creation of this position is the natural next step for the CCC as we continue to expand and improve," Peace said.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bedford and receive free news updates.