Featured Alumni
Grad Leaves College For Preschool
North Andover resident Kaleigh Sullivan left one classroom for another. After graduating from Northern Essex with honors and an associate degree in early childhood education in May 2009, Sullivan has a teaching position in the preschool classroom at KinderCare® in North Andover.
The 22-year old excelled at Northern Essex, earning the NECC Female Athlete of the Year Award, which recognizes a student athlete for accomplishments, both in the classroom and on the field, and for leadership and dedication.
Sullivan was a key player on the college’s basketball team, assisting the women's Knights as co-captain, in a 10-8 season.
Following her 2005 graduation from North Andover High School, Sullivan attended a four-year state school for a little more than a year before transferring to Northern Essex, which was closer to home.
The oldest of four children, Sullivan worked as a babysitter and nanny for five years. She knew working with children was where she wanted to be, and for her, NECC's early childhood program was the logical choice.
"I love working with preschoolers because they are just starting to learn everything. They are old enough to understand concepts, but young enough to still play."
In addition to her many activities, Sullivan also volunteered her time coaching youth basketball teams and mentoring fellow NECC students.
Her education won't stop now, she said. While Sullivan is working full time at KinderCare®, a job she secured following an internship there, she said, earning her bachelor's degree will be a priority. She hopes to enroll in Fitchburg State College's elementary education program which will be offered at Northern Essex's Haverhill Campus in the evenings beginning in the spring of 2010.
