Dr. Stephanie T. (Seamon) Childs, PhD

Stephanie T. Childs, PhD

Sunrise: November 30, 1946 — Sunset: February 14, 2025

Deacon Emeritus. Educator. Author. Leader. Friend.

An educator, pioneer, leader, author, scholar, researcher and speaker, Stephanie Childs worked her way through the ranks, from the classroom to administration, and for 35 years she was a leader of experience in Early Childhood Development.

Dr. Childs was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, attended Philadelphia public schools and graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls. She attended Temple University receiving a Bachelor of Science degree, completed a Master of Science degree at Antioch Graduate School of Education and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania.

In her professional career, Dr. Childs worked for many years in The School District of Philadelphia as a Pre-Kindergarten Head Start Teach-er, Administrative Assistant, Director of Kindergarten Support, Kindergarten Assistant Director and as the Project Director of Early Learning Links, in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania.

She has co-authored articles and research making significant contributions to the literature and discourse at national conferences and in leading scholarly publications in academia and early childhood education. Her work garnered national and local attention on how family and community involvement enhance the quality of early childhood education. Recognized and respected among colleagues and peers in the field, Dr. Childs is the recipient of numerous awards including, The Women Pioneers Award (2005) and Educator of the Year Award (1998) (University of Pennsylvania, GSE Alumnae Association); Excellence in Education Award (National Political Congress of Black Women, Philadelphia Chapter), to name a few.

Her call and devotion to serving others, including children, families and the community is a continuous thread that runs through the tapestry of her life. She is an active leader, board member and member of several local and national, civic and community organizations. She previously served as a co-facilitator of College for Kids, a national college readiness pro-gram founded by the National Congress of Black Women-Philadelphia Chapter, to ensure that African American Children receive the necessary

foundation to inspire and prepare them for college. Her efforts were spearheaded in several states she visited.

Dr. Childs lives to give and enrich the lives of others. Her most recent board appointments include: Advisory Board; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Early Head Start, and The Philadelphia Public School Retired Employees Association. She is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a Soror of The Year Honoree.

AWARDS

Dr. Childs was the recipient of numerous awards including, Mary McLeod Bethune Award, National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Philadelphia PA Section (2011). Scholarship Chair Recognition, Ivy Legacy Foundation, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, RTO (2009). Women Pioneers, University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education Alumnae Association, (2005) and Bravo Sister Award, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Rho Theta Omega Chapter.

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Stephanie presented at more than 25 conferences, and she co-authored a number of academic articles, including:

"Enhancing the Quality of Early Childhood Education: A Follow-up

Evaluation of an Experiential Collaborative Training Model for Head Start Teachers and Parent Volunteers."

"The Head Start Teaching Center: An Experiential Training Model for Head Start Teachers and Parent Volunteers."

"Family Involvement Questionnaire: A Multivariate Assessment of Family Participation in Early Childhood Education."  

Deacon Stephanie is how she is known among her church family. An active member at the historic Bright Hope Baptist Church for more than 30 years, she served on many committees such as Strategic Planning and Nominations; and was active in several ministries namely, Mary Gray Women's Ministry, The Scholarship Ministry and The Circle. Additionally, she is distinguished as the first woman to chair the Board of Deacons in its 115-year history and is a recipient of the Bright Hope Woman of the Year Award. On March 4, 1995, she was ordained as a deacon. In 2020, Deacon Stephanie was named Deacon Emeritus, having served as a member of the Diaconate at Bright Hope for 25 years.

Stephanie Childs — a daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and grandmother. She is the daughter of Thomas and Wilhelmina Seamon. She is the middle child and sister to Michael Seamon (deceased) and Reginald Seamon (deceased). She is the aunt of Myles Petretti; and Stephanie Walker and her two sons; and aunt to Reginald Seamon, Jr. (deceased). She is the stepmother to Chauncey Childs (Angela) and step-grandmother to their two daughters Maya and Tula Childs. She is stepmother to Albert Childs (deceased) and (Sabrina) and step-grandmother to their four children: Quay, Siena, Chase, and Kai.

Viewing from Bright Hope Baptist Church, 1601 N. 12th St., Philadelphia on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 9:00-10:00 AM. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. service at 10:00 AM. Additional viewing from 10:30-11:00 AM. Dr. Childs' Homegoing Service will start at 11:00 AM officiated by the Reverend Dr. Darron D. McKinney, Sr. Dr. Childs will be laid to rest immediately following in Chelten Hills Cemetery, 1701 E. Washington Lane, Philadelphia. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Stephanie Childs to: Ivy Legacy Foundation, 6703 Germantown Avenue, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19119. The Klee Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Shillington is honored to serve the Childs family. www.kleefuneralhome.com

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