Esperanza’s Children of Hope Child Development Center, under the direction of Lynn Hockenberger, was featured recently by the national publication of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association. The ELEA is the education arm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Since its founding in 2007 as an outreach ministry of our church, the center has prepared nearly 1,000 children for kindergarten and beyond. With a dedicated team of educators and a commitment to high-quality care, Children of Hope provides a nurturing environment where children ages 2-5 can thrive academically and spiritually.
The center’s crowning achievement this past year was earning a five-star rating from Quality First, Arizona’s early childhood quality improvement and rating system. This recognition, awarded to programs that significantly exceed quality standards, reflects the center’s commitment to excellence. The rating represented a collective triumph for the staff, students, and families, and it was evidence of dedication to top-tier education and care.
In 2023, Hockenberger was honored as ELEA Early Childhood Director of the Year. She has since joined the ELEA board as secretary, bringing her passion for early childhood advocacy to a broader stage.
To read the ELEA story about the center, click here.