Larrisa Wilkinson is the Director of Professional Learning and Program Innovation at Pre-K 4 SA. Larrisa and her team are responsible for leading efforts to distinguish the program as a high-quality model for early childhood educational excellence throughout San Antonio and the nation, through city-wide professional development, grants, family engagement and the program's four demonstration sites serving 2,000 four-year olds. Beginning with the vision of former Mayor Julian Castro and what was then named the 'Brainpower Taskforce,' they recommended the development of a program focused on high-quality prekindergarten services for four-year old children. In just a few years since its inception, in 2017 Pre-K 4 SA was honored with the prestigious H-E-B Excellence in Education Award in early childhood education for its social-emotional development curricula in the North and South centers. The purpose of Pre-K 4 SA is to improve San Antonio in one generation by changing the education trajectory of four-year-olds, inspiring students to develop a love of learning and become engaged, 21st century citizens. The program has eight participating school districts and serves 2000 students each year at four Education Centers. Larrisa shared with us that Volunteer Opportunities are available! To find out more about Pre-K 4 SA, click HEREA book will be given to the Locke Hill Elementary School Library in honor of our speaker today.