![First lady Northam focuses on education during Roanoke Valley visit](https://media.wsls.com/photo/2019/07/18/First_Lady_of_Virginia_tours_local_childcare_sites_1563486825567_22111479_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg)
First lady Northam focuses on education during Roanoke Valley visit
ROANOKE, Va.- - As a former science educator for 12 years and experience with grades K through 5, the First Lady of Virginia says education in important from the very beginning. "To make sure we have nurturing and educational opportunities in those early years makes all the difference," said Pamela Northam. At the Raleigh Court TAP Head Start, she learned Thursday about their approach to helping families through its SwiftStart program. The grant is intended to strengthen the early Childhood Care and Education System. So if we are waiting until children go to kindergarten, we have missed our mark," said Vivien McMahan, director of early learning strategies.