Children of God Educational Services, LLC
by Cate Murway
Owner/ Director Valerie Danielle Hamilton just may have more kids than she can count.
“They are ALL my kids!”
Children of God Educational Services, LLC, founded October 15, 2011, is a major COG in each of the children’s growth wheel. The C.O.G. mission is to encourage and empower the 3-12 year old innovators of tomorrow, one student at a time. “You Can Do It”, yes you can.
“If you have breath in your body, there is an opportunity to go out and get it. There are no excuses.”
Valerie and her core faculty squad are truly dedicated to providing exceptional educational services, building strong family relationships and facilitating community involvement.
The center provides quality child care and learning programs that treat children as unique individuals, providing them with opportunities to learn positive values and academic skills.
COG is a state licensed, Best-of-Bucks, Apple approved, Bucks Happenings Finalist, Keystone STARS level 3 [out of 4] pre-school, before and after school, summer school childcare facility!
Valerie was a member of the BHS class of ’98 who has earned her Pennsylvania Director's Credential and Educational Leadership Master's Certificate from Arcadia University. When she began working toward her Masters in Finance, she taught Sunday school at a summer camp at Bethel AME in Bristol on Wood Street. “Originally, my mom said I could go there. They took me in with open arms. So, I was a member at that Church and I was asked to help with the kids. When I was working with the kids, a light bulb went off and it was amazing!” She changed her major and earned her Masters in Education from Philadelphia Biblical University, renamed Cairn University in 2012, a Christian university in Langhorne.
Valerie had the opportunity to attend Cairn’s satellite campuses and her studies and employment have enabled her to teach, motivate and encourage people of all ages in Hungary, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Hong Kong and China. This afforded her a rich multi-cultural environment and an academically rigorous core for discussions and fellowship and her travels abroad shaped her world view and philosophy of education.
“I learned firsthand that the world doesn’t judge you like we assume and I had experiences and learned to overcome being in unfamiliar situations.”
Cairn’s program is designed for Christian educators who want to be more effective in the classroom.
Valerie instills dreams in her students. Her kids visit and walk the campus at Cairn.
“I started as a nonprofit and Children of God Educational Services, LLC now functions as ‘for profit’. It’s been uphill working all the way.” Tomorrow is going to be a better day.
This Saturday's child works hard for her living.
But Valerie confirms that her career choice is truly very rewarding.
“I have an excellent team. I am nothing without my team.” This is a team effort!
COG is opened from 6:30AM – 7:30PM during the week and it is opened on Saturdays and most holidays. “We also have ‘drop-in days’ when school is closed. 100% of our parents are able to work because of our services.”
All meals are included and transportation is provided. “We’re open when everyone else is closed; even when icy, snowy and cold, inclement weather. Always open except for Christmas, New Years, and Thanksgiving.”
Classes are filled mainly by word of mouth. Children may enroll based on need.
Some of Valerie’s students receive a state subsidy while others can afford services at COG’s regular rate.
“Some families are on their honor just to pay what they can. It has worked out well. We take them to the theater and they’ve been to a ballet.” The COG students have weekly trips. They have visited museums in the city, including the Art Museum. They have toured Styer Orchard and attended Phillies games, and enjoyed special activities during Winter Camp and Spring Break Camp.
“90% of our students are ‘Student of the Month’ at their respective schools.”
The trips are scheduled by February, allotting the parents sufficient time to secure funds.
Valerie pays about half of the monies for these academic based programs.
The education venues she advocates are all encompassing. “There’s a whole world out there.”
Valerie has a great respect for the value of learning that extends beyond just books; she is motivated to see young people succeed.
The organization's primary mission is to foster a love of learning in each student. Each learns to follow his/her curiosity, to think creatively, and work both independently as well as cooperatively with others.
Valerie stresses appreciation for the military and veterans, and respect for the police and firefighters, and she encourages the students to learn about citizenship and government. She has even taken some of her students to political debates, making civics learning come alive.
Oh yes…and a shout out to Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick who comes and visits with the kids and he even reads to them!
Valerie is aware and most sensitive to the needs of each student. Some of her kids have experienced traumas ranging from housing insecurity to food scarcity.
The children come to C.O.G., walking 2 by 2. “We walk the kids from Snyder - Girotti Elementary School to our Mill Street location and the ‘big kids’, the 4th, 5th and 6th graders hold their hands. They know they are the examples and they help.”
Everyone prays at mealtime and “we have morning prayer”. Valerie hears them saying “thank you for my home”, “thank you for my heat”. They learn and grow together. “The ones who age out always come back to help!”
Valerie expresses sincere appreciation for having been blessed with a wide support system. She lost her mom when she was only 5 years old.
“My great Aunt, Pearline Compton raised me.”
Her extended family, including her dad, Donald Covington and her step mom Gwendolyn Covington, has always been very supportive of her through her ventures.
Her older sister, Chrissandra Hamilton has always offered guidance and she works with her now.
Valerie fondly and respectfully speaks of her kindergarten teacher, Carol Mignoni Ferguson.
“She always has such a calming tone with wise words. She has always been such a blessing to me. Carol is incredible. She can step back and really listen.”
Train up a child in the way he/she should go, And when he/she is old, he/she will not depart from it.
“We are here to shape their minds. This is a service to help the community, because they serviced me.”
Love is love. “That is the reflection of the community here.”
Children of God Educational Services, LLC
Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:5
412 & 414 Mill Street
Bristol, PA 19007
877.256.7852
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
Valerie w/ late birth mom, Eula Hamilton
click on thumbnails to enlarge
