About Us
Mrs. Mary and Mr. Pat
Who is Pathways and Mrs. Mary?
In 2003, I was approached to leave my position as Prevention Specialist in University Place School District and Franklin Pierce School District of eight years, to become the Center Director of Pathways to Learning Educational Center. My family and I rallied together and dedicated 9 years to working and building in the South Tacoma community. Upon the sale of the center building, our family decided to continue in this work and move to a smaller more intimate educational setting.
With just a handful of families, we established Pathways Enrichment Academy (2013). When my children were younger, my family was fortunate to have a stay at home mom and attend private school beginning in preschool and through high school. I wanted the families that I served to receive an equal education, absent of the enormous price. My desire is to make quality education attainable. I believe I accomplish this daily through my connection with community resources and specialist in the field.
The foundation of my education is an Associate from Tacoma Community College; BASW and BA in Sociology from Pacific Lutheran University. I went back to school at Bates Technical to receive an Associates in Early Childhood Education to ensure that my program could implement a high quality early childhood education program. However, I believe my primary education has been the families and children that I have been fortunate to serve.
In 2003, I was approached to leave my position as Prevention Specialist in University Place School District and Franklin Pierce School District of eight years, to become the Center Director of Pathways to Learning Educational Center. My family and I rallied together and dedicated 9 years to working and building in the South Tacoma community. Upon the sale of the center building, our family decided to continue in this work and move to a smaller more intimate educational setting.
With just a handful of families, we established Pathways Enrichment Academy (2013). When my children were younger, my family was fortunate to have a stay at home mom and attend private school beginning in preschool and through high school. I wanted the families that I served to receive an equal education, absent of the enormous price. My desire is to make quality education attainable. I believe I accomplish this daily through my connection with community resources and specialist in the field.
The foundation of my education is an Associate from Tacoma Community College; BASW and BA in Sociology from Pacific Lutheran University. I went back to school at Bates Technical to receive an Associates in Early Childhood Education to ensure that my program could implement a high quality early childhood education program. However, I believe my primary education has been the families and children that I have been fortunate to serve.
Our Partners and Affiliations
ECEAP & Head Start
We are a proud Family Home Early Head Start & ECEAP Site
Early Achievers
We are active participants in the Early Achievers program and past EA Scholars
Training Site
P.E.A serves as a training site for EA data collectors, student learners from UW, Pierce College and Bates Technical College
SEIU
We are members of SEIU 925 chapter. Mrs. Mary works on the following teams to enhance the field of Early Childcare Education:
Negotiating Rules/Bargaining Team/Joint Committee/I.M.P.A.C.T
FCCAPC
Mrs. Mary is the Co-President of Family Childcare Association of Pierce County
Washington State Family Childcare Association
Mrs. Mary is the Public Policy Representative for the state of Washington
Imagine Institute
Mrs. Mary works with the Imagine Institute to aid in the Professional development of other Family Home Care Providers. She is a certified Trainer of Trainers and a Certified Mentor.
YPQA/ELO Program
The Youth Program Quality Assessment (PQA) is a validated instrument designed to evaluate the quality of youth programs and identify staff training needs
Bates Technical College
Pathways Enrichment Academy is a proud affiliate of Bates Technical College and utilize their resources for Parenting Classes, Art Preparation and Teaching Training
Childcare Aware of America
Allows P.E.A. to accept children of families in the United States Military
CCDF
The Child Care and Development fund allows P.E.A. to accept payments from American Indigenous Tribes
Working Child Care Connections
P.E.A. partners with DSHS to accept children on WCCC subsidy
Vision Step Team
Pathways Enrichment Academy sponsors Vision Step Team created by Mrs. Mary’s daughter - Chelsea McElroy
We are a proud Family Home Early Head Start & ECEAP Site
Early Achievers
We are active participants in the Early Achievers program and past EA Scholars
Training Site
P.E.A serves as a training site for EA data collectors, student learners from UW, Pierce College and Bates Technical College
SEIU
We are members of SEIU 925 chapter. Mrs. Mary works on the following teams to enhance the field of Early Childcare Education:
Negotiating Rules/Bargaining Team/Joint Committee/I.M.P.A.C.T
FCCAPC
Mrs. Mary is the Co-President of Family Childcare Association of Pierce County
Washington State Family Childcare Association
Mrs. Mary is the Public Policy Representative for the state of Washington
Imagine Institute
Mrs. Mary works with the Imagine Institute to aid in the Professional development of other Family Home Care Providers. She is a certified Trainer of Trainers and a Certified Mentor.
YPQA/ELO Program
The Youth Program Quality Assessment (PQA) is a validated instrument designed to evaluate the quality of youth programs and identify staff training needs
Bates Technical College
Pathways Enrichment Academy is a proud affiliate of Bates Technical College and utilize their resources for Parenting Classes, Art Preparation and Teaching Training
Childcare Aware of America
Allows P.E.A. to accept children of families in the United States Military
CCDF
The Child Care and Development fund allows P.E.A. to accept payments from American Indigenous Tribes
Working Child Care Connections
P.E.A. partners with DSHS to accept children on WCCC subsidy
Vision Step Team
Pathways Enrichment Academy sponsors Vision Step Team created by Mrs. Mary’s daughter - Chelsea McElroy
CertificationsState Short Certificate
State Initial Certificate Child Development Childcare Administration Family Child Care Infant/Toddler Care School Age Care |
Our StaffMrs. Mary - Director/Licensee
Mr. Pat - Mrs. Mary's Husband - 100% support Ms. Chelsea - Lead Teacher/ School Age Coordinator |
Follow UsFacebook @ Pathways Enrichment Academy
Twitter @PEATacoma Instagram @PEATacoma |