Mother of Six Graduating from Early Childhood Education

When Lashawna Aiken walks across the stage in a few weeks, she will be graduating from Cape Fear Community College’s Early Childhood Education program.

Lashawna is a full-time childcare teacher and a mother of six. Her oldest attends Wilmington Early College High School at CFCC’s North Campus. Her other four school-aged children are all A/B honor roll students. In January, she welcomed her youngest child.

“I’m working. I’m going to school. I cook. I clean. I take care of my children. I’m breastfeeding my newborn. It’s been hectic, but I’ve been managing.”

Lashawna’s path into early childhood education started with her own children. At the time, they were attending a local childcare center. Soon after, she began working there herself. What started as a practical solution quickly turned into something more. She realized she had found something that came naturally.

“The children loved me,” she said. “I was able to connect with them, understand different behaviors, and connect with the parents, too. I have children of all ages myself, so I understand where they’re coming from.”

With children ranging from a teenager to a newborn, she has spent years learning how different ages think, grow, and respond. That perspective has made her a stronger teacher, and being a teacher has made her a stronger parent.

Lashawna says one of the things she loves most about working with young children is how quickly they learn.

“They pick things up so fast,” she said. “You can say something, and two minutes later, they remember it. At that age, they get the most out of learning.”

To her, those early years matter because they shape everything that comes after.

Through it all, Lashawna has had support from her family, especially her parents.

She proudly gives them credit for showing her what education can do.

“My mom and dad are both brainiacs,” she said with a laugh. “They both have multiple degrees from CFCC.”

Now, Lashawna is about to add her own degree to the family list.

After graduation, she plans to continue working at her current childcare center and eventually hopes to step into a leadership role and take on more responsibility.

Learn more about CFCC’s Early Childhood Education program.