New Full-Time Staff for Fall 2023

Latasha Collins

Director | KCC's Child Development Center

 

Brooklynite Latasha Collins is the new director of Kingsborough Community College's Child Development Center. Dedicated to supporting student-parents at KCC, Latasha brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her role.

Latasha had a different career path in mind when entering college: She attended State University College at Oneonta and the Fashion Institute of Technology in hopes of becoming a fashion designer. Her life took a different turn when she discovered her passion for working with children.

“My love for early childhood education began when I became a parent and was gifted a book that focused on the different developmental stages of children’s growth,” she shared. “I was intrigued and wanted to learn more. After volunteering on the weekends at a child care program, I decided to open my very own.” She is the former owner of Karter's Korner Family Daycare.

Latasha formally transitioned into the field of education through the Murphy Institute's LEAP to Teacher program, a collaborative initiative with the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies and participating CUNY colleges. At Brooklyn College, she pursued a master's degree in early childhood education – and received the LEAP to Teacher Academic Achievement Award.

Latasha is now a certified licensed teacher for children from birth to second grade. Her extensive experience and educational background have equipped her to create and implement developmentally appropriate curricula for young adolescents, ensuring high-quality learning experiences.

Prior to KCC, she worked as a teacher at Brooklyn Landmark Elementary School, where she specialized in teaching music and movement to pre-K through fourth grade students.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Latasha is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. She enjoys event planning, decorating, sewing, crafting and traveling with her family. She is also in the process of writing a children's book.

“I look forward to continuing the legacy of the Child Development Center, which started in the 1970s. I want the Center to reach its full potential and support our KCC student-parents. That means providing the children with high-quality learning experiences that can lead to a positive academic career in their future.”