What We Do

home / About

/ What We Do

Building Community to Support Early Education

TELA serves as the county-wide coordinator for early childhood collaboration. We align efforts, connect partners, and help ensure early learning is prioritized across systems and settings.

Our role includes:

Aligning shared vision and strategy
Supporting coordinated action
Building data and measurement tools
Cultivating local leadership and engagement
Advocating for long-term systems change

TELA acts as a connector, catalyst, and long-term partner in building stronger early learning systems countywide.

TELA supports parents as a child’s first teacher. We partner with families to share tools, spark involvement, and fuel everyday learning that lasts well beyond the classroom.

We also support educators by enhancing teaching methods to drive positive student outcomes.

Meet our Pre-K Early Learning Collaborative (ELC) and Community Partners:

Charleston Art Revitalization Effort
Charleston Elementary School
East Tallahatchie School District
Emmett Till Interpretative Center
Eva Covington Head Start Center
Institute of Community Services, Inc. (ICS)

James C. Kennedy Wellness Center
Tallahatchie General Hospital
Tallahatchie Public Library
The Sun-Sentinel
West Tallahatchie Head Start Center

To Date:

TELA and changemakers in Tallahatchie County together have:

Secured Early Learning Collaborative funding every year since 2014
Launched a parenting initiative through Raising Highly Capable Kids
Supported assessments that track learning through third grade
Built professional development networks for local educators
Invested in capital improvements.

These efforts have helped increase Pre-K enrollment, strengthen classroom instruction, and give parents tools to support their child’s growth at home.

Step by step, the community is creating better conditions for every child to learn, grow, and thrive.