Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/meet-cover-director-lee-wagner/5015623/
With no intention of going into education, Lee Wagner followed his daughter to Nia House, starting there as a parent when his daughter was two years old. He worked for Far West Training Laboratories, visiting Head Start programs and then began substituting in the Oakland Public Schools, where he found himself focused on discipline all day. At that same time, he began volunteering at Nia House, a place where he found peace and purpose. “I was amazed by what kids are able to do and willing to do.” From volunteer he became assistant preschool teacher, then preschool teacher, as he says, “working my way down to directing.”Nia House, translated to “purpose” in Swahili, is aptly named; for even at first visit there is great purpose evident in the work of the children and staff. Founded in 1974 by Tia Waller, and later Sandy Krestan, both from Cincinnati, Nia House has a long history of struggling to find a site. Financial constraints and budget cuts necessitated several early moves, but the current location, in converted school district bungalows surrounding a grassy play yard once a park, creates a welcoming indoor/outdoor environment. It looks like Nia House will be here for a while. ...