Meet Thrivalaska’s Executive Director!
Sarah Newton
“I grew up in small town Valley City, North Dakota. Upon college graduation, I made the move to Alaska and started my family here and we’ve never left! Fairbanks is such a special place!
I have been in education my entire professional career! I have spent over 23 years involved with a Head Start program, either as an employee or as a parent! The program continues to touch me in so many ways!
I have 3 teenage children and a wonderful husband. I can’t forget about our two yorkies, Cam and Chloe. =) All of the kids are very active in sports both at their school and in the community.
I am thrilled to take on the Executive Director role here at Thrivalaska. I knew when I started here as the Head Start Program Director 9 years ago, I found something special.
Thrivalaska is my family, my home!”
Our history, mission, & impact
When we think about impact, we think about sustained achievement over a period of time.
Play N Learn, now known as Thrivalaska, began as an organization providing services to children. Since then, we have evolved to meet the needs of families, early educators, and the interior community. Early education has a tremendous impact on the most vulnerable populations. Therefore, Thrivalaska works to ensure that our families have access to the tools needed to thrive.
Within Head Start, 124 children receive free child care services. Our curriculum helps our children become autonomous and learn the social skills needed to become successful in primary school. Four hundred fifty-five families can maintain employment or pursue educational opportunities, because Thrivalaska helps parents pay for child care.
We understand that the crux of this success is based on the work of educators. We provide 600+ training hours for child care providers and parents, so they can provide safe, healthy learning environments for children.
Each year we watch our numbers double and triple, as we create innovated solutions to address our communities’ most pressing needs. Our leaders are consistently shifting their focus to provide services that promote diversity, refined practices, meaningful relationships, and, of course, play.