2005-2006 National Head Start Fellows

Natalie Collins
Children's Museum of Los Angeles

Ms. Collins is an art facilitator for the Children’s Museum of Los Angeles, CA. She holds a Master of Social Work degree and has previous experience working with cultural and community groups in the areas of youth substance abuse, therapeutic intervention, and conflict resolution.

Beverly Jackson
DC Office of Early Childhood Development

Ms. Jackson is a Head Start Collaboration Director, stationed in Washington, D.C. She holds master’s and doctoral degrees in urban education from Columbia University. Previously, Ms. Jackson held positions such as the Director of Public Policy and Public Education for Zero to Three and Senior Public Policy Analyst for the National Black Child Development Institute.

Amy L. Madigan
Doctoral Candidate, George Mason University

Ms. Madigan is an SCRD Fellow assigned to the Head Start Bureau. In addition, she is a doctoral candidate at the George Mason University, Washington, DC. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Indiana University, Bloomington Indiana. Ms. Madigan has worked as a Research Assistant in a variety of programs since 1997.

Rodriquez Perry
Manatee County Head Start/Early Head Start

Mr. Perry acts as the Early Childhood Education and Health Services Manager for the Manatee County Head Start/ Early Head Start program in Bradenton, FL. He holds a Master of Science and an ED.D in education. Mr. Perry’s work experiences include lead teacher and early education/family support supervisor for 13 staff.

Catherine Polanski
Head Start Bureau

Ms. Polanski served as a 2004-2005 National Head Start Fellow. She will continue on as a Senior Fellow for the 2005-2006 Fellowship year. Ms. Polanski holds a Master of Education degree. Prior to the Fellowship, she was the associate director of children and family services at Ramsey Action Programs Head Start in St. Paul, MN, where she supervised six Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Additional professional experiences also include work as an adjunct instructor for the Hamline University Department of Education; director of the St. Paul Family Learning Center; and adjunct instructor for the University of Minnesota Department of Education.

Dayana Rocha
Parents and Children Together

Ms. Rocha is the Disabilities Specialist for Parents and Children Together in Honolulu, HI. She holds an M.Ed in interdisciplinary studies in special education. Ms. Rocha previous work experiences include special education teacher, elementary school teacher, Spanish interpreter, and early childhood specialist.

Rhonda-Leigh Tsoi-A-Fatt
Delaware Department of Education

Ms. Tsoi-A-Fatt is the Education Specialist for the Delaware Department of Education in Dover, DE. She holds a Master of Arts degree in urban affairs and public policy. Ms. Tsoi-A-Fatt also has experience as an adjunct faculty member, teaching child and human development courses, as well as an early childhood education arts director and education director for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware.