« Previous 1 2
1 2 Next »
Roshani Patel, Director of
Development
Preschool Activist Roshani PatelWhen’s the last time you stepped foot into a classroom with a 9:1 student-teacher ratio? Or in a classroom where more than 50 percent of the children barely speak English? Never, perhaps? Thankfully, many Texas-based educators understand the importance of individualized attention during the early schooling of students. Roshani Patel, 23, Director of Development, shares with us that for almost thirty years now, Mi Esculita preschools have provided educational assistance to at-risk children in hopes to helping eliminate the need for bilingual education later on in their lives. Given that over 80 percent of Hispanic dropouts cite their inability to communication English proficiently as a significant factor in their decision to leave school, the foundational support of Mi Esculita preschools is imperative for academic success. With seven centers already open in the Dallas area, and one more in the making, Mi Esculita aspires to promote and celebrate global harmony through early education. Take a moment to learn more about Mi Esculita by reading this week’s Non-Profit Spotlight.
Non-Profit
Mi Escuelita Preschools
Founded
1978
Website
www.miescuelita.org
Name
Roshani Patel
Director of Development
Age
23
Hometown
Houston, Texas
Current residence
Dallas, Texas
Education
The University of Texas at Austin
Dual Major: Business Honors Program & Finance, Spring 2005
The University of Bath (England)
Semester Study Abroad, Fall 2003
Work Experience
Mi Escuelita Preschools
Director of Development
(Sept 2006 - present)
Accounting & Business Manager
(Feb 2006 - Sept 2006)
Neiman Marcus, Assistant Buyer
(June 2005 - Nov 2005)
Ethnicity
Indian
About the non-profit
Did you know that in 2005, over 50% of the children entering Kindergarten in Texas spoke little to no English? In Dallas, the estimated dropout rate is 64% among Hispanic children with limited English proficiency, and over 80% of Hispanic dropouts claim that their inability to communicate effectively in English significantly impacted their decision to leave school.
Since 1978, Mi Escuelita Preschools has believed that all children deserve and require access to a quality education. Mi Escuelita works with at-risk children during their formative years to reduce the need for elementary bilingual education and enables children to circumvent remedial English education in later years. Mi Escuelita Preschool is a full-day early childhood program dedicated to teaching English and developing early learning skills to at-risk children of all cultures between the ages of 2 - 5 for preparation toward a successful school experience. Mi Escuelita students are exposed to English language, pre-reading, literacy, math, science, basic computer and social skills in loving, print-rich environments.
At Mi Escuelita, we also firmly believe that healthy children learn best. Every Mi Escuelita child has access to preventative health, dental, vision, nutritional, speech and behavioral care to ensure that he or she is ready to learn. Each child receives a nutritionally balanced breakfast, lunch, and snack daily to promote their physical development and growth.
With a low student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Mi Escuelita teachers are able to work closely with every child. Parents are also highly involved in the program to reinforce the skills learned in class to incorporate the family’s native language and culture into their child’s dual-language education. Today, Mi Escuelita operates seven centers in Dallas, Texas serving a total of 440 children annually.
Most notable milestones
2003 United Way Nuestra Gente Organization of the Year
2004 Bank of America Neighborhood Builder Award
2006 First Lady Family Literacy Award Recipient
4-star designated vendor with Child Care Management Services
Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Cornerstone Model School with Educational First Steps (EFS)
Crystal Charity Ball Recipient
Head Start of Greater Dallas Delegate Agency
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Partner Agency
What's the niche?
Mi Escuelita differentiates itself from other non-profits serving related causes by the amount of individualized attention we are able to give each one of our children, the quality of education each child receives, and the lasting effect our program has on their lives.
For instance, our student-teacher ratio is currently at 9:1, which is considerably lower than the state average of 15:1 for primary schools. Because of this specialized attention, we are able to ensure the parents of our students are an active part of their education. Our parent-participation rate is over 80%, which helps maintain the foundation of a strong education that we strive to achieve even after the children leave Mi Escuelita.
Over the years, we have been able to track our students’ progress as they leave the Mi Escuelita program. Students completing a full two years at Mi Escuelita Preschools demonstrate an average oral base vocabulary of 3,500 English words, compared to an average base vocabulary of 3,000 words for a native English-speaking five year old. Each year, at least 90% of the children from Mi Escuelita Preschools are able to transition directly into English-only Kindergarten classrooms.
What's the biggest challenge?
Limited resources and funding prevent us from being able to help every child who needs our services. Although Mi Escuelita Preschool centers have increased capacity by 50% over the past 5 years, our waiting list continues to grow with each passing year.
What's in store for the future?
We are opening a new center in January which will allow us to serve a total of 512 children between all of our centers. Ideally I would like to see Mi Escuelita Preschools in every community where a need exists for our services.
I am also looking forward to the full implementation of our two latest initiatives as we receive more funding: “Together We Learn” and “Mi Escuelita Around the Planet,” or MAP. Together We Learn is our three-pronged family literacy initiative. Components of Together We Learn include: weekly parent education and training through specialized ESL courses taught at our sites, daily child literacy instruction in the classrooms, and PACT (Parent And Child Together) time at home each evening. Piloted this month with the Indian culture, the MAP program aims to introduce students to one new culture every month in order to promote tolerance, respect, and an appreciation for global harmony through early education.
Who would you like to be contacted by?
Anyone interested in helping our program or learning more about Mi Escuelita Preschools. This includes anyone who would like to replicate our program in other cities, potential donors, students, volunteers, corporations, foundations, and of course those interested in enrolling their children at a Mi Escuelita Preschool center.
« Previous 1 2
1 2 Next »
Guiding principle in life
"It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."
-Simple and fundamental words of wisdom my father shared with me constantly as a child.
Yardstick of success
There is no single definition of success for me. I have personal measures of success that change as I find myself at different points in my life. I also have professional measures of success, although more tangible, which are just as variable.
Goal yet to be achieved
Ideally: Global Peace
Realistically: Catching up on my reading
Professionally: Raising enough money for Mi Escuelita to create an endowment
Best practical advice
Don't ever settle unless you are sure that you are not settling.
Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture
When certain family and friends have turned to me and said, “I’m so proud of you,” for no reason at all. I’m not sure why they are proud of me, but it is very encouraging. I love what I do, and these small remarks help me keep pursuing my dream to help others.
Mentors
Most of my mentors are probably unaware that I consider them as such, but they range from my parents and former teachers/professors to really wise friends and colleagues.
What motivated you to get started?
A strong desire to help others with the work that I do everyday.
At the time, I was in a job that I wasn’t truly passionate about anymore. I began rethinking my career prospects. Then one day, I decided that it was better to be unemployed and in pursuit of a dream than to be unhappy doing “a job” for the sake of having “a job.” So I resigned and began looking for a job that was more aligned with my interests, which included helping other people and making a difference. As I began volunteering at various charities in Dallas, an opportunity at Mi Escuelita presented itself. I immediately fell in love with the organization and knew that this is where I needed to be.
Like best about what you do?
The people--the people I work with and the people we are able to serve everyday.
Like least about what you do?
Hearing "no" from a potential donor or sponsor.
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
The first Indian female President of the United States.
What was your first job?
Making custom jewelry for kids while I was in intermediate school.
Biggest pastime outside of work
I love painting, reading, and traveling, although I haven’t had a lot of time for the first two lately.
Person most interested in meeting
Bill Clinton—because I’d like to learn more about how the government operates from his point of view and how the president decides what to fund, etc. I should probably make time to read his book first—of course, it’s already sitting on my shelf.
Leader in business most interested in meeting
Bill Gates or Warren Buffett—hard for me to decide. I’d like to meet them both because they are both seemingly humble, very successful, and philanthropic individuals.
Three interesting facts about yourself
1. I try to keep my nails trimmed in case I decide to pick up my guitar at any time. On average, I must pick it up 4 times a year, twice of which are to dust it.
2. One summer vacation, I decided to teach myself to become ambidextrous.
3. I love watching Texas Football.
Three characteristics that describe you
1. Thoughtful
2. Creative
3. Straight-forward
Three greatest passions
1. Enjoying and discovering the meaning of life
2. Laughing
3. Helping Others
Favorite book
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
Favorite cause
Education, of course!
« Previous 1 2
1 2 Next »
Also this week
Don't forget!
Young & Professional Profile | Note2Self | News2Know
|
Toolbar Help
 Blog (new)
|
Top of Page
Young & Professional Profile 
ConnectionPoint
