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Bridget Tobey, a Cherokee citizen and tribal employee.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Governor Brad Henry has appointed Bridget Tobey, a Cherokee citizen and tribal employee to serve on a state board focused on early childhood education. The Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board is a 28-member Board designed to pursue public and private agreements and strategies aimed at making early childhood education programs available.

"I look forward to serving as a tribal representative on the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness", Tobey said. "There is an inaccurate perception out there that all tribal child care programs are alike and that is simply not the case. My goal is to get public and private childcare organizations and state educational agencies and organizations to treat tribal programs individually, not as a whole. We each bring unique and worthwhile things to childcare and I am excited to have this opportunity to share this information. Study after study has shown the benefits of early childhood education. Children who participate in early childhood education typically perform better in school, display stronger reading skills and have fewer disciplinary problems. Early childhood education is critical to not only our children and parents, but to our communities as well."

According to Tobey, children today are faced with high educational expectations. By kindergarten they are expected to be able to write their numbers and they are should be able to read by the time they enter first grade. "Too many children are not given the tools and training they need to meet these expectations", Tobey said.

Tobey has spent the last several years dedicated to helping children obtain the necessary educational tools they need to excel once they enter school. She is the president of the Oklahoma Child Care Resource and Referral Association and a member of the Oklahoma Tribal Child Care Association.

"I am proud of Bridget", said Principal Chief Chad Smith. "I have attended many events that she has worked on throughout the Cherokee Nation. She is dedicated to improving quality child care and providing the best tools possible for our children. Now we have a way to make sure that the state hears the tribal perspective as they move forward in future planning."

Laurie Hand, director of Child Care and Development, is also proud of Bridget. "She is the mother of two young children that are in child care so she has first hand experience and knowledge about the importance of quality care for young children", Hand said. "She was a preschool teacher, early childhood trainer and is very involved in mobilizing the community to promote school readiness. I believe these things have motivated her to work not only in the Cherokee Nation, but also in other counties to get our children ready to enter school."

Tobey, who took her oath of office on September 16, 2003, will serve on the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board until September 1, 2005.

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org