Elizabeth Smith, Assistant Director -Seneca Arts & Learning Center (SALC), was selected as the Allegany Employee of the Month! Elizabeth has been a dedicated employee of the Seneca Nation for eight years.
“Working for the Seneca Nation has incredible benefits, being a longtime employee has provided me with a benefits package that is honestly unparallel, aside from that I think working for the Nation is such an opportunity for success. If you create relationships with all the different departments, you truly have minimal need to utilize outside resources for much including trainings and support because that Nation has so many incredible departments to tap into,” shared Elizabeth.
Elizabeth’s personal goals include finishing up her Masters Degree and watching her staff achieve higher education goals as well. “SALC has 30 plus staff members enrolled in higher education so supporting them and watching them succeed is a priority of mine,” said Elizabeth.
Elizabeth also shared the importance of her work in early childhood. “Honestly, how hard it can be. What we do at SALC is so important. Early childhood determines the pathways to your entire life, from birth to 3 so much brain development happens and connections between individual neurons happen by the billions. We use a curriculum right from the infant room and up to support their development. Our staff work incredibly hard and I just hope they all know how important and valued they are.”
A couple things on her bucket list is to earn her doctorate in Early Childhood Education to be able to provide care that keeps up with the community needs and be able to accept all families that need early childhood development with no wait lists.
“My kids give me so much to be proud of every single day. Keep it up Z, Al, & Jax, I love you guys!” – Elizabeth Smith.
