At KenCrest’s South Early Learning Center, equity isn’t just an idea, it’s a lived experience, nurtured and upheld every day by Rosaida Benitez, the Center’s Director. Recently named a 2025 Early Childhood Education Equity Champion, Rosaida is being recognized for doing what she has always done: leading with compassion, advocating for inclusion, and making every child and family feel seen, heard, and valued.
“I never thought that doing what I do every day with the only intention of helping families to become their child’s advocate could mean so much,” Rosaida shares. “I feel that this is more than an award and is a call for making myself accountable to continue what I do with my heart on supporting others.”
The Early Childhood Education Equity Champion Award recognizes individuals and organizations in Pennsylvania that go above and beyond to dismantle structural inequities, promote diversity, and champion justice in early education. Nominated by peers, the honor acknowledges Rosaida’s relentless dedication to building inclusive spaces where every child can thrive, regardless of their background or needs.
Rosaida’s path into early childhood education wasn’t a traditional one. After earning her BA in 1998 and navigating life as a newly single mother, she entered the field with the simple hope of providing for her daughters. But it didn’t take long for her to discover a deeper calling.
“Within the first year, I realized that young children need to be seen and heard, no matter where they come from,” she recalls.
From her early days in New York City’s Head Start Program to leading KenCrest South for over a decade, Rosaida’s journey is one of resilience, empathy, and powerful advocacy. Her work extends beyond the classroom, taking her to city and state roundtables where she shares her story and elevates the voices of underserved communities.
At KenCrest South, equity is embedded in every step of the enrollment and support process—from inclusive application procedures to multilingual assistance and a refusal to let labels define a child’s potential.
“Families come in inquiring about the program, thinking that we only work with special needs children,” Rosaida explains. “But here at KenCrest South, it is open for applications and registration all year long, and we utilize any means to support families, like using translation apps and staff with a second language to support the registration process.”
Her impact is measured in awards and real-life stories of transformation. Rosaida recalls many great stories from this year, including one nonverbal child who began talking, a parent learning English and engaging confidently with staff, and a little girl with a medical history who now begs to come to school, even on Saturdays.
When asked what advice she’d give fellow educators, Rosaida’s message is simple but profound: “Take a moment and think to yourself: I am this mother, I am this father, how would I feel if my child is rejected and not treated equally by others? Try to give a reason to put yourself in that family’s shoes. Smile. Connect. Embrace the power of ‘I can make a difference.’”
Looking ahead, Rosaida is focused on sharing her story and encouraging others to do the same. “There is power in sharing your story,” she says. “I once did not speak English, I was a single mother looking for support from my community with my children with different needs, I am a mid-age woman that is continuously seeking ways to better myself, and I want people to remember me by my legacy of helping others—not for how they looked or spoke, but for who they were.”
Her recent recognition has only deepened her resolve. “This award reminded me that my voice matters, even if my English isn’t perfect. I can still make an impact. I am making an impact.”
And for everyone at KenCrest—and the families whose lives she’s touched—there’s no doubt: Rosaida Benitez is a true equity champion, leading with heart, hope, and an unshakable belief in the potential of every child.