Together you can help me create my legacy

Since the start of my preschool career, it has always been my goal not to remain stagnant in whatever position I was in. Instead, I have sought to continuously expand my knowledge not only to master the current level but help me propel myself to the next level. With this mindset, I have managed to start as a volunteer in a classroom and work my way up to the School Leader role for a school with 285 students. I have also earned my AS, BS, and MS degrees during my career. In addition, I recently became a certified trainer for the SC Child Care Training System.  My next logical step is to pursue the ultimate American dream of owning my own Center.  I have been fortunate enough to have three children who have followed in my footsteps in working with the early childhood population.  Early childhood and teaching have always been a part of our family and are our legacy.  The pandemic has helped me as a School Leader realize that the preschools in my network that were most resilient were those such as mine that were respectful of the families and children and their feelings regarding the new policies and procedures we were all forced to put in place,  as well the preschools that used those months to solidify the skillset of the educators. I additionally learned during this time that when you have educators that have some say over what goes on in the Center, have some knowledge of the inner workings of the Center, and have strong, mutually respectable relationships; the educators tend to be more loyal and willing help create a Center that runs smoothly.  Sharing the load, giving teachers access to information, allowing them to know how the Center runs, and seeking their input encourages them to have a stake in the Center.  This teacher-cooperative format is the environment I want to create when I open my Center - The Coop Learning Collaborative LLP.  I have made valuable friendships with the educators I have worked with and the families that have utilized the services of the last Center I was affiliated with.  I am eager to create a legacy that my children and their children can continue to expand upon.