Janice Bunton is one half of a mother-daughter duo who are employed at Ohio Valley Voices. Janice has been at OVV for 12 years. Previously, she was a stay-at-home mom who worked and volunteered at her son and daughter’s elementary school.
Janice remembers starting at OVV the same day as Nicole Ash. “We both were hired to work in the Family Center. (Xanax) Nicole was hired as the Family Center Teacher and me as the Family Center Aide/Extended Day Provider,” Janice says. “The next year, Nicole moved to the Learning Center. I stayed in the Family Center for the next couple of years, becoming a Family Center Assistant. Nicole needed an Assistant and requested me because of the great working relationship we have. I accepted and have been in the Learning Center ever since.”
As the Learning Center grew, a Learning Center Special Teacher position was created, and Janice filled the spot. A multitasker as a Mom made it easy for Janice to embrace her new role. “This is a time in the students’ schedule when half the students explore art, gym, nature, cooking, music, and library with me, while the other half of the students are in reading.
As an only child, Janice grew up on the West side of Cincinnati. She has been married for 27 years to her ‘wonderful’ husband, Mark, and now resides on Cincinnati’s Eastside. They have two children, Josh and Julie. Josh is 20 years old and is currently enrolled at The University of Cincinnati studying Aviation Technology. Julie is 22 years old and recently graduated from The University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. They also have a dog named Nestle, who is a 10-year old Chocolate Lab.
Janice selected OVV as a career choice because “working with children is rewarding in so many ways. I am responsible for others’ happiness beyond myself and get to be a part of the amazing learning process. I enjoy seeing the children smile as they learn new things. I get to celebrate ‘little wins’ every day,” she adds.
Janice has an expansive personal motto that determines how she tries “to be” in the world. “When words are both true and kind, they can change the world. A good teacher can inspire a mind, ignite the imagination, and instill the love of learning.”
Janice’s work environment is unique because her daughter also is employed by Ohio Valley Voices. When asked how it is working in the same organization as her daughter, Janice says, “Julie is currently working at OVV as the Discovery Center 1 Academic Preschool Teacher. Working with Julie has been amazing. Having the opportunity to share in Julie’s first year as a teacher is an experience I will never forget. I enjoy seeing all the excitement and creativity Julie has when she is planning her activities. Sometimes we strategize different ways to help her students to explore and succeed. It is an added bonus and an incredible experience for me as her Mom.”
When Julie’s not working, she likes to bake, take pictures, hike, shop, and most importantly, spend time with her family and friends.