MUNCIE, INDIANA — Delaware County BY5 Early Childhood Initiative, Inc. recently announced Missy Modesitt as the organization’s new executive director.
“We are very excited to have someone with Modesitt’s unique combination of experiences and skills lead BY5 in the next phase of our development,” said Pat Botts, chairman of the board of directors of BY5. “Her background gives her a great perspective about how early childhood education can lead to a stronger economic environment and a better community in the future.”
Modesitt joins BY5—a local nonprofit dedicated to improving Kindergarten readiness and forming strategic partnerships to advance the workforce pipeline and economic development in Delaware County—from the New Castle Henry County Chamber of Commerce, where she served as executive director for more than eight years.
“Working in the chamber world has allowed me to see the struggles our current businesses are facing in finding a willing and qualified workforce,” she said. “We must work as a community to remedy these issues, and that commitment was something I saw right away as I met the board members of BY5.”
Kelly K. Shrock, president of The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. and one of the BY5 board members, said the board had reciprocal observations of Modesitt from the beginning of the interview process.
“Her passion for education was evident to the board of directors, and we look forward to working with her as we prepare our community’s children to thrive long-term,” Shrock said.
In addition to working for a Chamber of Commerce, Modesitt has a background in teaching special education—at the middle school and university levels—and served as a national educational consultant to Pearson Learning Group, where she helped identify and close gaps in curriculum and teaching skills.
“I understand child development and the consequences of unaddressed developmental delays,” she said. “I know how important the early years are for children, and that providing parents and caregivers with the right information and services to address any delays is critical for future development.”
Modesitt believes early childhood education should be a priority. Focusing on child development as early as possible, she said, positions today’s youth to become active, qualified leaders in our communities tomorrow.
“I wholeheartedly believe that being proactive early in a child's life is the best way to affect the change we need to see in the future of our workforce and economic development in Delaware County and the whole East Central Indiana Region,” Modesitt said. “I am excited to be part of BY5 because I believe this group is truly making a difference in the lives of our children and our community.”