preschool teacher

teaching assistant

school principal

substitute

family advocate

Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative

I've had the privilege of working for several companies throughout my career, but none have ever made me feel like I truly belonged until I joined OVEC. From the moment I stepped through the door, I knew this was not just another job; it was a second home.

The warmth of the company culture at OVEC is something truly exceptional. It's not just about the work we do; it's about the people we do it with and the environment we do it in. Here, you're not just an employee; you're a valued member of a close-knit family.

One of the standout features of our company culture is the emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. From day of my initial interview, I knew this place was special. There's a genuine spirit of camaraderie that permeates everything we do. Whether it's brainstorming sessions, project collaborations, or just a quick chat in the break room, everyone here is eager to help and support one another.

The leadership team at OVEC deserves special recognition for creating a workplace that feels like home. They lead by example, fostering an inclusive environment where every voice is heard and respected. It's not uncommon to see our CEO engaging in casual conversations with employees or taking time to recognize individual achievements. This approachability and openness from the top down set the tone for our entire organization.

But what truly makes OVEC feel like home are the people. I've met some of the most genuine, compassionate, and talented individuals here. In my few weeks here, I have had so many team members say, "We are so excited you are here!"  

OVEC is not only a fulfilling career but also a sense of belonging and a second family. This environment allows me to be a working professional but at the end of the day my most important job, Mom! I feel immensely fortunate to be part of this exceptional organization, and I look forward to many more years of growth, friendship, and shared success with my OVEC family.

A typical day working for this Head Start company (aka Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative, aka Ohio Valley Educational) consists of constant problem solving. Working with the children and families is wonderful and rewarding-but I believe superiors are condescending to staff, conniving, secretive and quick to place blame on staff, instead of addressing issues maturely and taking responsibility for their own actions.  I also feel the workplace culture is intimidating-no one will take responsibility to make decisions, because if they do, you will be reprimanded (aka double standard).  For me the hardest part of the job is dealing with the lack of effective communication/management and getting results in a timely manner.  In my experience it may take 2-3 months to get new staff or to resolve issues.  I received on the job training-meaning you are thrown into your position.  My impression of need to know means you don’t need to know.  The most enjoyable part of this job is spending time with the children.  
The pay at this company is based on education and certification, not work ethic and quality.  You don’t get paid more for working harder. Raises are slow, about .08 cents per year.  Benefits are based on how many days you are contracted to work. Job Security- is a continued concern and the employee turnover is ridiculous.  Open positions are usually filled by “outside” applicants, limiting advancement opportunities.

The company does not typically walk the walk. They like to say their focus is on children and families, where the focus is more on the bottom line than anything else.
They typically say their goal is to get families out of the poverty cycle, but some of their staff members get paid less than some of the families that they service and the expectations are high of the employees. They are not good at rewarding for outstanding performance or recognizing anything good.
The workers that are hired are required to have a higher education, but they typically do not provide monetary compensation to reflect that requirement.
The staff is put in positions that they constantly are at fear for their jobs, and they stab each other in the back rather than working as a team and not realizing its really about the children.
Management is out of touch with the needs of the families, their arrogance causes the families to be suspicious of their actions.
I loved working with their families. To see them through challenges and be successful at overcoming these challenges was the best reward of the job.

OVEC is one of the best places I've worked, because I feel empowered, and free, to do meaningful work based on my strengths and interests and because there is flexibility and balance for my life and family outside of work.  I have always enjoyed working here, especially under my direct supervisor and with my colleagues, but there were some things in the past that I felt concerned about (and you can see evidence of it in older reviews).  Our new CEO has led us in an extremely positive direction, working hard to make the culture positive, supportive, empowering, and engaging and to make sure everyone feels valued and that we pass that on to educators we support in our work.  There are new supports for us as staff that are really helpful, such as a generous amount of remote work days and more flexibility in our work schedule than we had previously.

For years, I had worked at a different organization, in collaboration with OVEC. It was through that partnership that I truly came to love and respect the work they do each and every day. When the opportunity came for me to join their team, I was absolutely honored. There are so many good things ahead for OVEC, and I am excited to be a part of that. 

The work culture at OVEC is shifting in so many good ways – a positive work environment is modeled by those in leadership. Key leaders are actively looking for ways to make work more sustainable for our entire team. We know that our organization thrives when our teachers thrive. And we are doing all we can to support them in this important work. Head Start is truly a life changing program. We invest wholeheartedly in our community – improving outcomes for children, one family at a time.  


I process new hires for the Head Start program, run background checks, make sure all Head Start staff have all required documentation and requirements, process college tuition reimbursement, and CDA enrollment. I have learned a lot about Head Start and Human Resource requirements. OVEC offers me ample opportunities at training and assist me in my need for growth. The management team is very helpful and willing to assist with concerns. We have a lot of new management staff, CEO, Head Start Director, Director of Human Resources, Director of Finance and all are working to improve the culture and inclusivity within the organization. 

I enjoy going to work now.  My co-workers are very friendly and helpful with any task that I may need guidance in.  My director is very approachable and easy to talk to.  The hardest part about my job is that there are so many little steps to each process that I have to complete.  The job itself is easy, there are just a lot of steps to remember.  I enjoy the laidback work atmosphere and new friends that I have met in the short time that I have been here.

OVEC promotes employee wellness and job flexibility. Management is supportive of employee development & continuing education.  A typical day at work depends on the position of employment.  Being an employee of OVEC allows employees to use their experience and skills to assist school districts with improving the educational atmosphere, enhancing learning opportunities, and encouraging program growth.  An enjoyable part of the job is working with others that are passionate about their jobs.  

OVEC is a great place to work.  You have the opportunity to work with highly skilled people who have  servant mindsets.   The work is exciting and ever changing as we provide services at the district, school, and individual level with the overall goal of supporting  students across the region .   OVEC's workplace culture is relaxed and easy-going.  The CEO is present in the work, often joining trainings and meetings to stay informed about the current programs.   The evaluation process is all about feedback and growth.  I would highly recommend this organization to anyone seeking to serve schools and districts.  

Terrible classroom set up for infants and toddlers. Too much red tape and far too many rules overall. Also not enough creativity allowed in activity planning for the kids. You aren't able to create an enjoyable environment for the children due to everything that you have to do as far as anecdotals and planning. Not to mention having to drive all over to help out in other classrooms because of call ins or issues keeping employees. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Preschool teacher 1 salary reported	$22.09 per hour
Teaching assistant 3 salaries reported	$19.18 per hour
School principal 3 salaries reported	$23.80 per hour
Substitute 1 salary reported	$15.51 per hour
Family advocate 2 salaries reported	$21.62 per hour

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