Persinger has passion for children

Keely Persinger, ESU Center for Early Childhood Education, reads to a group of students at the center on Tuesday.

Keely Persinger has always had a passion for children. That passion is what led her to Emporia State University.

Persinger recently stepped in as the University’s new director for the Center for Early Childhood Education. “I have always worked with younger children,” Persinger said. “I have a passion for the early education of younger children.”

Before joining ESU, Persinger served as a school psychologist for the Eureka schools for the last 3 years. She has a total of 13 years as a school psychologist, besides Eureka, serving areas such as Manhattan, and the Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative. Persinger earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology from the University of Kansas.

Persinger said she is looking forward to working with her wonderful staff and working with the children and their families.

“I plan to continue advocacy for the early education of children and continue to provide onsite experiences for people in teacher education and other related fields,” she said.

Persinger has moved around quite a bit because her father is in the military. The mother of a 6-year-old daughter and a 21 month son, she has little spare time.

“My family is my spare time,” she said. “I enjoy baking, reading, traveling and enjoying my children.”

Persinger and her husband, Jim Persinger, have made working at ESU a family affair. Jim is an associate professor in Psychology and Special Education.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>