How many years have you worked with children?

27 years in Early Childhood Special Education and many years of childcare before that.

What brought you to work with children? Have you always wanted to or did it just happen?

I have always felt a calling to work with children. I volunteered in the church nursery from a very early age making connections with families and started baby-sitting for those families at 11 years old. In high school, I thought I wanted to be a Pediatric Nurse until I worked in a hospital and realized I enjoyed teaching children more than tending to their medical needs.

What are some of your hobbies? 

I enjoy watching basketball, watching my daughter coach basketball, riding motorcycles with my husband, and volunteering.

What is your most treasured accomplishment?

I have worked at Stepping Stone for 24 years and I believe that we make a difference in the lives of children every day. I am proud of the work we do and the environment that I have helped create where every child is welcome and loved. Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day!

What is your favorite thing about working with children? 

I love seeing children discover something new, accomplishing something they have worked hard to learn, and I love giving hugs.

What has been the most significant or memorable moment in your job? 

I cannot think of one moment. There are so many proud moments: a child that has struggled to learn to walk, walked across the stage at preschool graduation, making his family and all the teachers cry; a child that did not speak when they started our school is speaking so much we have to ask them to be quiet!

Do you have any dreams or aspirations you want to share? 

When I am gone and someone thinks of me, I want them to remember how I made them feel and know that they are special.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and National Physical Fitness Month, making it the perfect time to focus on how movement supports young children’s emotional wellbeing, learning, and development.

In early childhood settings, simple movement experiences like dancing, stretching, or outdoor play can help children regulate emotions, build focus, and stay engaged throughout the day. Incorporating intentional movement also aligns with CLASS domains like Emotional Support (helping children manage feelings) and Instructional Support (promoting engagement and learning), as well as early learning standards that emphasize physical development and self-regulation.

Try this: Add a 2–5 minute movement break between transitions or learning activities—like a quick dance, stretching routine, or movement game, and explore Curricula Concepts’ movement-based trainings for easy, effective ways to support both children and staff.

FREE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TRAININGS

In partnership with the School Outreach Section with AR Department of Health, we’re bringing FREE physical activity trainings to ECE educators across the state, and there’s a session near you!

These sessions are hands-on, engaging, and packed with practical strategies you can bring straight back to your classroom to support movement, learning, engagement, and healthy habits for young children.

MOVING & GROWING TRAININGS

Lowell, AR ⎸ Monday, May 11 ⎸ 6:00–8:00 PM ⎸ 519 Latham Dr. Lowell, AR 72745

Monticello, AR ⎸ Thursday, May 14 ⎸ 5:30–7:30 PM ⎸ Southeast AR ESC 1022 Scogin Dr. Monticello, AR 71655

Camden, AR ⎸ Wednesday, May 27 ⎸ 5:30–7:30 PM ⎸ SCSC ESC 2235 California Ave. Camden, AR 71701

Melbourne, AR ⎸ Tuesday, June 2 ⎸ 5:30–7:30 PM ⎸ Northcentral ESC 99 Haley St. Melbourne, AR 72556

MUSIC & MOVEMENT TRAININGS

North Little Rock, AR ⎸ Tuesday, May 12 ⎸ 6:00–8:00 PM ⎸ Early Education & Care Connections, Inc. ⎸ 3807 McCain Park Dr., Suite 113 North Little Rock, AR

Plumerville, AR ⎸ Monday, June 8 ⎸ 6:00–8:00 PM ⎸ Arch Ford Co-op ⎸ 101 Bulldog Dr. Plumerville, AR

72127

Whether you join us for Moving & Growing or Music & Movement, we’d love to see you there. Sign-up below! 

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"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

- Nelson Mandela