Page 64 - Harnett Life Fall 2020

before receiving her Associate in Science degree from CCCC of accomplishment. But it does much more. It teaches children
eight years ago. where their food comes from and how plants grow. It provides
healthy food for childcare centers. And it can even give staff
When Rawleigh was looking at educational options, commu- members their own moment of discovery. “They’ll say, ‘Doro-
nity college was mainly a practical decision. It didn’t cost too thy, I didn’t know the squash flower turned into the squash!’”
much, which meant she could graduate without loans. The Rawleigh says. “What an awesome experience for the teacher.
smaller campus and class sizes also were attractive, especially Many times when you approach child care about a new pro-
for someone who spent so much of her time working deep in gram, if they’re not interested in changing a practice, then it’s
the wilderness. Now, she describes herself as a strong advocate not an appropriate program. But they are genuinely excited to
for community college. do this.”

“I think a lot of young people feel pressure to attend larger Given so many interests, the obvious question is where Raw-
and well known universities, but if they aren’t focused on what leigh may be headed next. When she was attending CCCC, her
they want to get out of the academic experience, it doesn’t re- biology instructor and advisor, Dr. Amy Kennedy, saw her stu-
ally matter,” she says. “You get back what you are willing to dent’s intense curiosity and thought she might end up studying
put into it.” environmental science, perhaps combining research and advo-
cacy. It seems like that could be one possible direction.
The big question still remains: For someone who began com-
munity college by studying sustainable agriculture, how ex- Rawleigh wants to head back to the classroom one more time
actly did that whole public health detour take place? for a master’s degree to get more technical skills in biology
and maybe take some courses in environmental policy, apply-
Turns out, it was a combination of opportunity and some life ing some of her recent experience in public health. But who
experiences she had on her journey. Rawleigh discovered a knows? “Sometimes, it seems like there are too many choices,”
bachelor’s degree program at UNC Greensboro that offered a she admits. “But I love my work at the health department. I’m
fast track to become a public health educator and prepare for not in a rush.”
the Certified Health Education Specialist exam, a credential
that helped get her foot in the door for jobs that are especially
to health care, and that impact on my life made things really Save More
competitive in this region. And then there were those personal
experiences. “I’ve had experiences when I didn’t have access

w
difficult,” she says. “I could get a job with that degree and start
doing fulfilling work. When people have access to healthy op- with Generacith Generac
tions and health care, that’s empowering.”

It Takes a Team
Ask her colleagues about Rawleigh and the praise flows free-
F
ly, though you don’t get far down that road with anyone — FREEREE
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policy team” while describing how information she gathers in
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And then there are teams formed with other organizations
across the community. One of her favorite projects is helping $0 MONEY DOWN FINANCING AVAILABLE*
childcare centers plant vegetable gardens. It’s an initiative she *Financing o ered by an authorized Generac partner
conducts with the Chatham County Partnership for Children
that is funded by a Farm to Early Care and Education grant of-
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Creating the raised-bed gardens and caring for plants obvi- (877) 805-0188
ously helps children learn new skills and gives them a sense
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