Through a quality program, Hawai‘i Community College Children’s Center will provide care and education of adults and children based on best practices.
The Hawai‘i Community College Children’s Center is the primary training site/ lab school for Early Childhood Education students enrolled in Certificate and Degree programs at the Hawai’i Community College. Teachers who have early childhood specialties staff the Children’s Center. Early Childhood Education student trainees and student workers are under the supervision of qualified staff and serve as assistant teachers at the center. The Children’s Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
CHANNEL BABAGAY is the Program Director here at the center. She has been in the field for the last 25+ years. She has worked with children and families from birth to age five as a director, teacher and home visitor. She has an Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education from Hawai‘i Community College, a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Hawa’i at Mānoa. Channel was raised in Hilo. She presently lives in Mountain View with her husband and children. She has two daughters and a son.
Rose Agno is currently the toddler program teacher. She has an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been teaching for 21 years, and has gained her experience teaching at the Good Years Preschool, YWCA Preschool, Pu’ula Preschool, Kapa’alana Partners and Development Preschool, and Early Head Start Program. She is married, has two daughters and three dogs to add to her family. She enjoys working with children and looks forward to partnering with families to work together in helping children grow and develop through the many learning experiences in our program.
Sheila Santos is currently the Preschool Program teacher. She has an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education and Liberal Arts. She has been working with children birth to five years old for over 10 years. She was also a home care provider for four years. She enjoys teaching young children and learning with them as they grow and develop.
Brylee Eliana Currently the preschool program teacher. She has an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a 2017 Alumna of Konawaena High School. She was born on O‘ahu and later moved to Kona, where she grew up. She moved to Hilo to pursue her degree in Early Childhood Education. During her time here in Hilo she gained experience working at ABC Fun Preschool as a full time head teacher.
"We cannot always build the future for our youth,
But we can build our youth for the future."
Franklin D. Roosevelt