"In high school I became a teen mom. I fought through long nights with a newborn and still did my homework."

Description

Shauntalae Pitt met Donna Givens, a home visitor at a Parents as Teachers teen parenting program at the McCluer South-Berkeley High School in St. Louis, Missouri. Shauntalae attended "group connections" and parenting classes at school. She also received regular home visits from Donna.

"Ms. Givens welcomed me with open arms. She was someone I could trust," said Shauntalae.

"I have six children now, all boys. I have been married for eight years. I'm actually currently a toddler teacher. I went to community college to take my Child Development Associate (CDA) credential for early childhood education. For a while, I questioned where I should be because my dreams got put on hold, because I was a teen mom. But I realized that it's never too late. And when you have a support system, it makes a difference. And I was able to come back around and do all of those things. So I'm super, super grateful and excited about where I'm at, in my life," said Shauntalae.

Participants

• Donna Givens
  
• Shauntalae Pitt
  
• Parents as Teachers National Center
  

Interview By

• Parents as Teachers National Center