Every weekday, Suzanne Joseph and the rest of the Oxford Early Learning Center (OLEC) staff teach their toddler-age students about the world around them. Snacks, recess, lessons, naps and discoveries are made every day for the district’s youngest Wildcats.

“They’re learning every second of every day,” Joseph said. “It’s amazing at that age what they actually are processing.”

For her work the last 20 years with OLEC, Joseph was recently recognized for her dedication to early childhood education. HighScope, the curriculum OLEC uses, and the Michigan Association of the Education of Young Children (MIAEYC) honored Joseph among 20 early childhood educators during the April 7 Detroit Pistons game at Little Caesars Arena.

“We kind of lined up center court and we were up on the jumbotron,” Joseph said. “We were given a beautifully framed award from HighScope.”

MIAEYC and HighScope both research and advocate for early childhood education. To kick off the Week of the Young Child, which takes place April 7 through 13, both organizations took over 100 nominations from around the state and honored the top 20 at LCA.

Joseph was nominated and advocated for by fellow OLEC teacher Sue Morrison. Joseph said without the help of coworkers like Morrison and administrators like OLEC Director Washea Jackson, she wouldn’t be where she is.

Aside from the recognition, the game was a memorable one for Joseph. As a Pistons fan, it was a once in a lifetime experience for her to stand center court before names like Blake Griffin and Reggie Jackson stepped out to play against their opponent that night, the Charlotte Hornets. It meant that much more to her to be able to share the night with her husband and three children, who were all given complementary tickets to the game.

Joseph said the night left her thankful to teach in a district like Oxford.

“It’s just an amazing place to take your children and work,” Joseph said. “I feel very honored to be a part of the Oxford school district. They’re just awesome.”