Barbara J. Martin Named OFTC’s 2024 Alumni of the Year
OFTC –Barbara J. Martin was recently selected as Oconee Fall Line Technical College’s (OFTC) 2024 Alumni of the Year.
Martin is a 2003 graduate of OFTC’s Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) program and the current owner and director of K.I.D.S Kingdom, a Quality Rated, 2-star daycare and early childhood learning facility located in Dublin.
“We’re thrilled to honor Barbara as our 2024 Alumni of the Year,” shared OFTC President Erica Harden. “Her dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire us all. Barbara’s contributions are a true asset to our community and to OFTC, and we’re proud to celebrate her achievements.”
Barbara’s Journey
Despite the longing in her heart to work with and educate young children, Martin spent years working in a local factory and in retail to help support her ailing mother and younger siblings.
But after years of ignoring what she knew to be her career calling, Martin decided to take a leap of faith and return to college and pursue her dream. “There was a longing in my heart for something different, and I couldn’t ignore it any longer,” she shared.
Martin enrolled in OFTC’s ECCE program with the intention of gaining the proper tools and skills to work with children. She earned a spot on both the President’s and Dean’s list during her tenure at OFTC.
After graduating with a technical certificate of credit, a diploma, and a degree in Early Childhood Care related programs, Martin opened an in-home daycare before stepping out in faith and establishing K.I.D.S Kingdom in 2006. Known for the principles upon which it was founded – Knowledge, Integrity, Diversity, and Satisfaction – the quality two-star facility has met a higher standard of quality than the minimum licensing requirements in the state of Georgia, exceeding several quality benchmarks, and demonstrating a commitment to providing a good level of care for children.
“I’ve never had to advertise,” Martin shared, “just word of mouth.”
In addition to her role and responsibilities with K.I.D.S Kingdom, Martin also serves on the Occupational Advisory Committee for OFTC’s ECCE program, the Governance Board at Moore Street School, on the Planning and Zoning committee for the City of Dublin, as a representative to seniors on the Dublin-Laurens County Black History Festival Committee, and was recently awarded a community service award.
She entered the Christian ministry and as an ordained evangelist in 2016 and launched a Radio Program called A Secret Place in 2017.
To learn more about K.I.D.S. Kingdom, please contact Barbara or other facility personnel at 478-272-2448. For more info about OFTC’s ECCE program or the other 130 + programs available, visit the College’s website, OFTC.edu.
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OFTC is a Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.
