Michelle Eslinger-Schneider Joins Save the Children as North Dakota Head Start Program Director

School Executive to Lead Head Start Programs in McKenzie, Williams County

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (November 21, 2018) – Save the Children, which has been implementing Head Start programs in North Dakota since 2014, announced the appointment of Michelle Eslinger-Schneider as its North Dakota Head Start Program Director. The Williston resident will lead the nonprofit organization’s team of nearly 20 North Dakota staff, who are focused on providing high-quality early learning opportunities to more than 60 children at Head Start centers in Williston and now Watford City.

“High-quality early learning and development programs can make a tremendous difference in the lives of families and their children who are in greatest need. When families, communities and schools work together collaboratively, students are more successful and the entire community benefits,” said Michelle Eslinger-Schneider, North Dakota Head Start Program Director, Save the Children. “It is these early childhood experiences and skills formed through authentic relationships and connections provided by Save the Children Head Start that better position and influence life-long trajectories of health and productivity, guiding children toward a bright future. It is truly a gift being able to witness the children we serve become self-confident, trusting, empathetic, intellectually inquisitive and competent in their communication and relation skills.”

Head Start is a federally funded program that provides early learning opportunities to children ages 3 to 5 living in poverty during their most critical stages of development. The program’s education components help children develop socially and emotionally, and overcome the large gaps in school preparedness that are linked to socioeconomics. Head Start’s comprehensive services help entire families improve their situation and better support their youngest members, making it a two-generational program. Save the Children leads Head Start and Early Head Start programs in rural communities in four states, including North Dakota, serving 2,375 children and their families.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michelle to our Save the Children Head Start family. We know she and her team will have a tremendous impact on North Dakota children and families,” said Khari Garvin, Save the Children’s Executive Director of Head Start. “With the recent opening of the Watford City Head Start center, there are a variety of jobs available at both locations. We encourage local residents who enjoy working with children and believe every child deserves a bright future apply.”

Eslinger-Schneider has more than 20 years of experience in both the health and education fields, most recently serving as the director of student health services at the University of North Dakota. She is an admired lecturer at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and holds a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of North Dakota. Eslinger-Schneider is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Educational Leadership at the University of Mary in Bismarck.

Families who are interested in learning about enrollment opportunities should contact Save the Children’s North Dakota Administration Office by phone at (701) 214-4053. Currently, there are spots available at both the Watford City and Williston Centers. To learn about employment opportunities with Save the Children’s North Dakota Head Start programs, please visit www.savethechildren.org/careers. For more about Save the Children’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs, click here.

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we’ve changed the lives of more than 1 billion children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.