At Inspiration Station ELC, we believe in opportunities—especially those that help build meaningful careers in early childhood education. That’s why hearing about the Penn State Harrisburg Career Studies Program reaching its 10‑year milestone recently was inspiring and personally relevant to us. Penn State Harrisburg
In the feature, one alumna, Tartil Jaigirdar, was spotlighted for completing the program and then joining our team, first part-time and now full-time. Penn State Harrisburg Her story illustrates how inclusive post-secondary pathways can open doors into early learning roles—creating win-wins for educators, children, and programs alike.
“This program helped her understand how to succeed … she’s doing a great job … she’s happy, she smiles with the kids.” — Jennifer Peck, owner/director of Inspiration Station ELC Penn State Harrisburg
Why This Story Resonates with Us
- It affirms the value of diverse hiring — people from different backgrounds, including those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, bring strengths, perspectives, and dedication that enrich the learning environment.
- It shows a career pathway from education to employment — rather than seeing early childhood as just a “job,” this underscores it as a viable, meaningful profession.
- It aligns with our values — inclusion, equity, dignity, and belief in people’s potential.
What This Means for Our Center & Community
We’re doubling down on practices and strategies that align with this kind of story:
- Welcoming diverse candidates
We actively recruit beyond traditional channels, and consider candidates with nontraditional backgrounds or experiences—if they’re passionate about childhood development, we want to meet them. - Offering pathways for growth
Just like the Career Studies Program offers mentoring, class exposure, and practicums, we aim to build clear paths for new educators to grow into roles of more responsibility. - Recognizing strengths, not just credentials
We focus on potential, work ethic, relational skills, and heart—while also supporting ongoing training and certification. - Showing this publicly as part of our identity
Stories like Tartil’s aren’t one-offs—they’re part of how we define ourselves as a center that values inclusion and possibility.
Come See It in Action
If you’re curious to see how diversity and strength-based hiring show up in our program, we’d love to invite you:
👉 Contact Us to Learn More about Joining Our Team
Let’s continue building a community where every person has the chance to grow, contribute, and thrive. 🌱
(Original article: “Harrisburg’s Career Studies Program celebrates 10 years,” Penn State Harrisburg)