By Amanda Moses
The Starrett Early Learning Center (SELC) has a storied history from its inception in 1976 as a small daycare starting with merely 13 children in a three-bedroom apartment in H6 to being a bustling early childhood education center with two locations: 125 Schroeders Avenue and 1325 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Even after four decades, there were two instructors who have remained steadfast at the facility and helped build the foundations of this early childhood center to what it is now: Josephine Taurisano and Audry Binns. Their dedication to the children of Spring Creek Towers (formerly known as Starrett City) has cultivated hundreds of young minds, many of whom returned with their own children, serving close to four generations of families. But when the school year culminated in June, both women announced their well-deserved retirement.
Taurisano’s soothing voice, smile, and patience are just a few of the characteristics children say they like best about their instructor—a demeanor she has carried for over 41 years at SELC. According to SELC Director, Tammy Moore, Taurisano is one of the most sought-after instructors, and even current staff members fondly recalled their experience with Taurisano as their pre-kindergarten teacher or mentor.
“I have been able to supervise Ms. Josephine for the last 5 years during her employment with Starrett Early Learning Center. As a fellow educator, it has been a pleasure to witness the love and dedication she has offered to so many families. I wish Ms. Josephine a wonderful season of retirement,” Moore said.
Like Taurisano, Binns has dedicated 46 years to the SELC cultivating a legacy that over four generations still remember. Binns’ love for the children she instructs, whom she often refers to as her “babies,” is unyielding. Her tenure at SELC has provided a great comfort to parents in the community.
“Starrett Early Learning Center has been able to maintain yearly success as a result of dedicated educational leaders such as Ms. Audry. Several staff members lovingly reminisce on their experiences with Ms. Audry as either their teacher or coworker. I have had the opportunity to supervise Ms. Audry during the last 3 years of her 46 years of employment with Starrett Early Learning Center. I wish Ms. Audry a happy retirement,” Moore said.
Photos by Amanda Moses
