Evelyn Markham is in Her Element as QCC’s New Children’s School Director

Working in early childhood education for close to 30 years, as well as being a mom to five sons, you might think Evelyn Markham would be ready to do something non-child related. However, if you thought that you’d be wrong. Ms. Markham recently started her new position as the Director of Quinsigamond Community College’s Children’s School, a role that is a natural fit for the veteran child educator and one she is excited to embrace.

For the last 10 years she has been at Springfield College working as the lead toddler teacher at the college’s Child Development Center. Previously she served as the Program Director at Square One YWCA in Springfield, starting pilot programs in both Springfield and in Holyoke. While she said she enjoyed this chapter in her life, her true passion was always being in the classroom working with young children.

“I decided to go back to the classroom and I became the lead toddler teacher. The missing piece for me in my former position was the children,” Ms. Markham said. “I missed watching the toddlers’ developments. It’s so unbelievable how fast they can progress.”

A graduate of Springfield College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services and a Master’s of Education and Educational Services, Ms. Markham said she is delighted to be a part of QCC and the Children’s School. She became familiar with QCC when she came to campus for a directors’ meeting when she was at Springfield College.

“Seeing the lab-school connection and how that enhances the early childhood students’ experiences (as well as the children) was impressive. I’m really happy to be able to represent a school that was the first school in Massachusetts to receive a Level 4 status (to date the highest quality rating available),” she said.

As the summer begins to wind down, Ms. Markham is working to become familiar with QCC. Next month she will start transition visits for returning children and is looking forward to meeting the parents and their children.

“Right now I’m getting my feet wet and looking forward to the future,” she added.