Kenya Roper is a dedicated Student Support Expert with over 20 years of experience in early childhood, preschool, and school-based services. A Newark native, Kenya developed a passion for helping children, particularly those who struggle emotionally due to trauma, negative influences, and distractions. She recognizes that many children, especially those in challenging environments, are deprived of positive emotional support, which can impact their long-term well-being. After earning her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Ramapo College, Kenya responded to the call for leadership by becoming the Assistant Director of a residential facility with Volunteers of America, where she guided youth transitioning to adulthood. She supervised a team of employees and worked directly with twelve youths in need of emotional and social support. Kenya went on to serve as a preschool social worker at Newark Preschool Council Head Start for nine years, managing over 80 children across 11 sites. Her role involved providing critical support to children ages 3-5 and their families. In addition to her work with young children, Kenya later returned to graduate school to complete her Master’s in Social Work while also leading a before- and aftercare program for K-5 students in the Kearny school district. Throughout her career, Kenya has specialized in assessments, IEPs, 504 accommodations, intervention planning, counseling, and social-emotional support, particularly for children and families dealing with grief, loss, compassion fatigue, and other emotional challenges. She believes that investing in the mental and emotional health of young people is essential to fostering generational health and creating positive, lasting change in the community.