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Bayfield early childhood educator recognized for commitment to inclusion

April Schneider Stewart devotes herself to children with disabilities, challenging behaviors
Bayfield Early Education Program Director April Schneider Stewart was named the “Equity and Inclusion Superstar” by the Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)

Bayfield Early Education Program Director April Schneider Stewart has been named the “Equity and Inclusion Superstar” by the Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference.

The award recognizes an educator or family home care provider that offers exceptional work and sensitivity in the area of equity and inclusion for children with disabilities, challenging behaviors, or those requiring greater social-emotional support.

“It's very nice to be recognized and it's really a win for our community,” Schneider Stewart said. “As a lot of people know in Southwest Colorado, we’re not always recognized within the Denver Metro area.”

Schneider Stewart has been with BEEP for 12 years and has served as the director for the past four years. She is no stranger to working with children: she is a biological and adoptive parent and was a foster parent for 15 years.

Schneider Stewart originally studied to be a special education and elementary school teacher, but after being a foster parent, she decided early education was her passion.

She chose the path because she realized how crucial a child’s early years were for their educational career.

“For all of our kiddos with disability and being a fully inclusive program in such a small town has always been really important to me,” Schneider Stewart said.

Being an adoptive parent and a foster parent resonated with Schneider Stewart’s own personal experience of being an adopted child.

Over the years, she has taken in children with mental and physical disabilities to help show them the potential they possess within themselves.

She said there is always an opportunity and to be part of a community, regardless of disability.

“I want my kid to be proud of being adopted because they have a story for themselves to share,” she said. “And again, I think that's part of the inclusive program that we have created in Bayfield.”

Schneider Stewart and BEEP offer various grant and trade opportunities to ensure all families who desire to have their child in the program have access.

Fundraising events are held throughout the year to help with the cost of BEEP tuition.

tbrown@durangoherald.com



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