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Meet the Team!

Meet Tammy!

Tammy has been with First Chance for Children over 29 years. Her knowledge and expertise is invaluable. Her passion for children and play shines through every day. We took a minute to find out more about Tammy so we could share with you!

  • Tell me a little bit about you!

I’m 55 years old. I have been married to Bill for over 30 years. We have two kiddos who are both married and live here in Columbia.  I have three amazing grandbabies who do their absolute best to keep me young but sometimes wear this old lady out!  I grew up on a farm in Rolla, MO and loved my childhood….it was almost magical.  I left Rolla in 1985 to come to college here in Columbia and never left.  I have a degree in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis on Child and Family Development and a Psychology Minor from MIZZOU!

  • What motivates you to wake up and go to work?

I truly believe I was called from somewhere deep inside of me to do this work.  I love all of it and that is not just hyperbole…I feel as comfortable at work with FC4C as I do at home. The work we do with families fills me up and gives me purpose. 

  • What do you do at First Chance for Children?  

My Job title is Director of Parent Education…I think that means I do a little bit of everything.  Home visits, CRIBS, Diaper Bank programming and Lend & Learn.  Oh and I feed the cats 🙂 

  • What has been your favorite experience so far

My favorite experience by far over the past 26+ years has been hanging on dearly (sometimes kicking and screaming) to Lend & Learn and not letting it be cast aside.  Many times during those years we have had to fight to keep Lend & Learn from being whittled away from standard programming because the value of that kind of programming/ support was/is hard to make a tangible argument for (in the world of outcomes).  I am so deeply proud to have kept up that fight and to have helped others understand the value in those types of interactions and opportunities for our families. 

  • What does this work mean to you

Simply and literally put “this work” is my life.  

  • What’s something most people don’t know about you?

 I really like to bake…I’m a horrible cook but I can BAKE.  I have 4-H… a mother and Grandmother who were excellent BAKERS to thank for that!  

  • Where is your happy place in Columbia?

I absolutely love the MU Campus.  MIZZOU was my first home here in COMO and I feel a special type of energy and peace when I’m on campus.  We go there often as a family just to walk, play and relax.