Paulette Scott

Paulette I would love to take out this time and share with you the experiences that I have had over the years with Head Start. Well to begin the experiences start with you. As I recall you were the Lead Teacher and I was one of your teachers working under you at HR Crawford. I would watch you from a far and try to do everything that you did with the staff. The staff that worked under you were always supported and mothered while under your supervision. The best thing of all is that everyone that has ever worked with you has all moved up in life and or has gone on to leadership positions. I want to thank you for being there for me while I was growing up in Head Start and keeping me on course with God and others. Sometime people come into you life and you never know the reason why and wish they would have never pass by, and you wonder why they ever passed by. Then there are people like your self that give so much to others that we all would be at a lost without you in our lives. I thank God for flowers in the garden that give us a reason to smell the air of life. I love you Paulette and will always be a greater person because you came into my life.

Rose M. Gaston, your other daughter

Well Ms. Paulette, today is June 8th, 2007.  It is officially your last day of work at Clark County Head Start and we will miss you.  I say it is your last day here, but I don't believe that it will be your last day working with children or families... I don't think you can quit that even if you tried.  I am sure that you will enjoy your retirement from the responsibility of the day to day work but I am sure that you will find some time to volunteer with others.

It has been my pleasure and honor to work with you over the last few years.  You have been a support to me and a good friend.  There are very few people who I call friend and I am proud to call you my friend.

I am not going to say good bye, I know that you will stay in touch.  Friends don't have to see each other all the time to stay connected at the heart.

The love of a child makes you change

and become all that they will aspire to.

The blessing of a child makes you appreciate life

and hold on to those little hands that God has given you.

Lisa M. Billings.

Love, Sheila

  In every life there are those people who come in quietly and you have no idea how important that person is going to become to you, you may even know them for many years as a co-worker or neighbor before you really get to know them.  One of these people in my life is Ms. Paulette Scott.  I have known Ms. Scott for several years now, but over the last few years I have gotten to know the remarkable lady behind the quiet, confident exterior.

  Ms. Scott has been with Head Start since the Summer of 1965.  She was one of the original Teacher Assistants hired as part of the Summer Youth Corps for Operation Independence in Las Vegas, Nevada.  She has worked for Head Start for most of those years, taking a few breaks to do other jobs, but always coming back to her first love, Head Start.  Ms. Scott currently directs the Sunflower Head Start site in Las Vegas, Nevada, she has held this position for many years, watching over the children and families in this community.

  Over the last 40+ years Paulette has participated in and been a witness to many changes in Head Start, she has held many roles... she was a parent, even the Parent Policy Council Chairman for several years... she was a teacher assistant, teacher and director... she was one of the first CDA candidates for the State of Nevada, helped to write the Pre-K Standards, held various roles in Head Start Governance on the regional level as well.  Paulette never wanted to rise any higher in Administration than that of a Site Supervisor, she wanted to stay in the centers with the children and families... right at the front lines is where the battles are fought... and that's where we need to put our strongest advocates... and I don't know any stronger advocates for Head Start than Paulette. 

  Paulette can advocate for the families and children that Head Start serves because she's been there, as have so many of Head Start's staff.    Paulette raised 6 children, much of that time was as a single mom... working two jobs to take care of her family. She joined Head Start as a teenage mom, working as a Teacher aide. Like most single parents, money was often tight... sometimes she will tell you stories about the hard times... when the money didn't quite stretch as much as you needed it too... bundling up kids in the bed with lots of quilts to keep everyone warm... that's what good Momma's do... just ask Paulette's children... they are very protective of their Momma.

  Paulette will tell you that Head Start means a hope to reach for a higher goal... and that if we lose sight of that then we lose the spirit of Head Start.  She doesn't do this for the money, she does this for the love of the families and children we serve and I am proud to call this Lady my friend. 

  I can't even begin to tell the story of Paulette... her life is very rich and she is very blessed... she is loved by many people, family and friends.  Paulette has very strong faith, she is a Minister as well as a Teacher and a Mentor, she is a two time Cancer Survivor, a loving Mother, Grandmother and Friend. 

  Paulette is preparing to move into another phase of her life now.. but before she leaves Head Start I wanted to start this project so that the people whose lives have been lucky enough to intersect with this Lady could get a chance to tell their stories of this Head Start Success.  I invite you to add to this Portrait, please tell your story of Paulette and her impact on your life.

  Sheila Tompkins-Hess, Coordinator of Child Development Services, Clark County Head Start

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me so continue your journey with faith.

Love Judi Barton

Ms. Scott,

I have known you for many years and you have always displayed professionalism. You truly have the dedication it takes to plant the seed in our children to help change our future. I know where ever the new path takes you it will be the same. Thank you for all your support / kind thoughts through the valley and peaks we experienced over the years. You will truly be missed.

Good-bye,

Rose Collins

Paulette,

I'm HAPPY for you, yet a bit of sadness is also present.  I'll miss you...guess I'll have to stop by and see you during one of my southern trips :).

Head Start won't be the same without you.  The past decades with Ms. Bynum / Ms. Scott will leave many memories, not only for the children, but for the many staff that you've touched with your warm, caring spirit.  Just think no more In-Kind, supply ordering, mileage sheets, time sheets, etc. ...What will you do?  Now that you're retired you can start your book, "A Life of Head Start". 

Thanks for all the good advice and laughter that we've shared over the years.  Enjoy your new life style!!!

6/5/07

Mrs. Scott,

It has been a pleasure getting to know you and to work with you, your dedication and pleasing personality will be missed greatly. Thanks so much for taking care of my youngest son when he was small.... how many years was that? It was great have a safe move and hopes to hear from you during the year.

                                                                                Take care, Mabelene Anderson

Will I MISS YOU? When i remember how we became friends and you were there for me to talk about all the good and the bad things that were happening in my life I then remembered what a true friend was THHANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND. when I needed help on things that pretained to my job I could come to you for help and you would not look at me as though I was crazy, you just said how can I help and proceeded.  THANK YOU FOR BEING A CO-WORKER. when I lost the most precious thing in my life and felt like I could not go on you where there to comfort me at the right time. THANK YOU FOR BEING THE MOTHER I NEEDED WHEN MINE WAS GONE. when I moved up in my career and became part of the administration pool you gave me the courage to keep my head up and continue to move forward, because you were the one who told me that if it is for you ,no one can take it away. THANK YOU FOR BEING A MENTOR. SO WILL I MISS YOU? YES, But you have come to a point in your journey to set sail and live free, and no one deserves it more than you. So take hold of the rope hold tight and ride. I WILL MISS YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN KNOW.

Paulette,

Thank you for being such an inspiration to me.  See those girls in that photo?  The biggest one, Adrielle is the one you took care of at the church daycare center across from Balzar.  She is 14 years old now.  The other one, Angel, was just a little one when I worked at Balzar.  You were always smiling and willing to do what you could to help.  Just your smiling face in the morning after I got off the bus to drop Adrielle of was peace to me cause I knew she was in good hands there. 

May God continue to bless you as you take your journey into a new chapter in your life.  One chapter is closing and another is opening up and I know it is exciting!  I wish it were me!  But my time will come.  :-)  May God Bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you.

You know I love you and will miss you.  Nobody can take your place.  You helped me so much when my mother passed away, I feel blessed to have you in my life.  I know change is good and this change will be good for you.  You have earned this time to rest.  Your time with Head Start has been your missionary work because you have provided a great service to your families and the staff you work with, your embody the mission statement of this organization.  I will truly miss you, love you always, Shirley Yancey

Paulette  who will be the chosen one now, you know it won't be one of the red-headed step children.    Rach, Lis, Ditt, Di.  Ms Cruz is probably next in line.   Love ya

Ditto

Paulette:

Thanks for all the years, I have known you since 1984.  I was your parent, I thank you for the encouragement, it's because of you that I became a teacher and a site supervisor.  I thank you for everything.  You encouraged me to apply for a job since I volunteered all day and you said I would be a good teacher.  I started as an aide, then became a teacher and then a lead teacher... I went on to get my CDA and my AA in ECE, now I am working on my BA in ECE and I am a Senior this year!!

Your baby (Booker) will be 27 on July 25th.... He received his GED and has one son who will be five soon. 

Emma Washington 

Dear Ms. Scott:

    When I think of you, Proverbs 31 comes to my mind, the reason why is your strength and honor that you have portrayed in life to your family, also to your employees.

    It has been an honor and a blessing to have had you as a Supervisor, a friend. I thank you for your love, kindness and thoughtfulness.

    You always had an open door policy which we all appreciated, made each one of us feel special, took time for each employee.

    I, myself appreciate your counseling words of wisdom, I will miss that part.  You will always have a special place in my heart.  You've given so much and ask so little.

    I know God has put many starts in your crown.  God Bless you on your journey.

                                                                                                                Love,

                                                                                                                Linda Rutherford

    I had to take my time, this is a very important task you see, Once it's down on paper you could but probably shouldn't take it    back, and say it's the re-mix or revised. so like I say get it right the first time take your time.

Exerpt from Phenomal Woman, Maya Angelou

"She walks in beauty, like the night

of cloudless climes and starry skies;"

An extract from "Sleepers' by Lorenzo Carterra-thank you

Many the road I have walked upon, Many's the hour between dusk and dawn, Many's the time, Many's the mile

I see