News Content Page

Prime Time Inc., the new Head Start grantee for DeSoto, Red River, and Natchitoches Parishes, has appointed Ashlyn Hamilton as the service area’s Head Start Director.

Hamilton’s journey in early childhood education began in 2008 in a Pre-K classroom, where she served as a teacher assistant and discovered a passion for supporting young learners and the educators who serve them. Over the years, that passion has shaped a career spanning multiple leadership roles, culminating in her most recent work as a Child Care Resource and Referral Program Coaching Manager and Master Coach with Volunteers of America South Central Louisiana.

Her work included coaching and mentoring educators, providing professional development, collaborating with Ready Start Networks and lead agencies, family and center-based childcare providers, and Head Start programs to support performance profile growth, and consulting with early childhood professionals at every stage of their careers. She also served as a Child Development instructor for the Northwestern State University Child and Family Network.

“Ashlyn has already proven herself to be a valuable and capable member of our team as we worked to establish services in north central Louisiana,” said Angel Slater, Assistant Vice President of Head Start services for the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and Prime Time, Inc. “We look forward to her leadership as we work toward our goal of positive change for the families and children in DeSoto, Red River, and Natchitoches Parishes.”

Hamilton received her bachelor’s degree in child development and early literacy from Grambling State University, and her master of education in educational leadership from Louisiana State University Shreveport. She is a member of the Louisiana Early Childhood Association.

“It is my belief that educational equity begins early,” Hamilton said. “Our program is committed to meeting children and families where they are, while providing the resources, care, and instruction needed to help children thrive.”

Prime Time is an initiative of the nonprofit Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. Prime Time’s free preschool program uses humanities-based learning to help children build basic skills, develop a love of literacy and hone critical-thinking abilities to set the foundation for lifelong learning while also providing support and services to the entire family.

Applications for the program are now being accepted from families in DeSoto, Red River, and Natchitoches Parishes.