Abbie Prasco, 24, fulfilled a childhood dream in January when she became the newest Child Care and Development Center coordinator at the Portage Township YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Road.
“I've always wanted to be a teacher since I was a young child. My (younger) sister would always play school with me, and she rarely was able to be the teacher, because that was always my role,” said Prasco, the daughter of Brian and Tracy Prasco, of Lowell.
The Valparaiso resident, a Lowell High School graduate, earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Indiana University Northwest in 2012 and later received her Rules for Educator Preparation and Accountability license, providing her with formal training in mild interventions for students with learning, behavioral and emotional disabilities.
In addition to overseeing 10 teachers in her new position, Prasco also manages budgets and plans curriculum and for nearly 50 children ages 2 to 5.
“I absolutely love seeing the children excel in their development and knowing that they are having fun while accomplishing it. From the ages of 2 to 5, it seems like they just absorb great amounts of knowledge,” she said.
”It is quite interesting to have conversations with them, and to see why they think the way they do. Every student is at a different development milestone.”
A member of the National Education Association, Prasco also is an avid runner, and is currently training for the June Sunburst Half Marathon hosted by the University Notre Dame. “I really enjoy setting goals and working towards them. Over the past two years, I was able to lose a total of 50 pounds.”
“I feel that fitness has really helped me stay focused on my schooling and just keep a positive attitude. I know that I am able to conquer any goal I have due to my accomplishments with fitness,” Prasco said.
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