We are so fortunate to have fantastic teachers at all of our centers. We hope that you have been enjoying learning more about each of our outstanding educators in our Teacher Spotlight posts. With three daycare centers serving infants through preschool, we have a lot of stories to tell!
Without further ado … congratulations, Miss Carmen — the spotlight is on you! We so very much appreciate you and all of your hard work.
Miss Carmen is an amazing infant teacher at our Kirkland location, giving each child the individualized care they deserve. She has been with Lil’ People’s World for more than a year, but that’s not where she started. Miss Carmen’s passion for teaching began when she was an ELL tutor in her high school history class — and from that point on she was hooked. “I learned so much when I taught others,” she says. “Working in this field was an easy decision.”
Plus, Miss Carmen had excellent teachers of her own who made a solid difference in her life. Returning that favor is one more reason she chose teaching as a career. The children in Miss Carmen’s care get to reap the benefits from all her experience — and she never stops learning. “I wish people knew how much paperwork was involved with early education,” she laughs, “but also how rewarding the job is. The kids all have such unique personalities, even at a young age.”
Miss Carmen puts her heart into her classroom, she offers art daily, and all of her one-on-one moments are strategically developed.
A note from Miss Carmen’s Supervising Director, Miss Bobbie:
Miss Carmen has been such a bright inspiration to our center. Coming from little to no childcare background, she has been able to step into one of the most rigorous childcare positions, and she did it with ease. She takes on excess responsibilities and showcases her warmth and empathy, all while exuding compassion and creativity. With Miss Carmen, life at our center is calm and comfortable. She expresses her care for each individual child, with immense detail. We couldn’t be more proud of how far she has come … and how far she has yet to go!
Miss Carmen says her favorite part of being a teacher is seeing the children grow and develop as people. “I love getting to know all the kids, watching them graduate and move up to the next classroom,” she says. “We work in a close community environment, and building attachments with the children over time is my favorite — even after they leave my room.”
Truly, teaching is in her DNA. When asked who her biggest childhood influence was, Miss Carmen wells up. “My older sister had the most influence,” she says, wiping her tears. “She was like our mom when I was growing up. We would play teacher and student. She was like my safe place. I always wanted to hang out with her while my mom worked. She was my rock.”
However, teaching is vastly different from Miss Carmen’s first job ever: barista at a Japanese-French infusion bakery. Although she certainly enjoyed the lemon tarts, they just don’t compare to the love she has as an infant caretaker!
Miss Carmen takes great pride in her love for books and enjoys sharing her love for reading with her class. Currently, her favorite children’s book is Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. Outside of the classroom, Miss Carmen is enthralled with a book called The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee. She just can’t get enough good books! In fact, Miss Carmen’s own mom jokes that she might book hoarder — but we all know that’s impossible!
Aside from books, Miss Carmen also enjoys collecting small knickknacks and Star Wars memorabilia as well as binging the Netflix series, The Night Agent. If she could have any superpower, Miss Carmen would choose invisibility: “How cool would it be to do things like traveling for free or seeing all your favorite movies before anyone else?!”
And, of course, the most important question of them all: grilled cheese or PB&J? Without even a second of hesitation, she exclaims, “Hands down, grilled cheese — sharp cheddar and Havarti for the win!”
From cheese to children, we love your passion, Miss Carmen! You are a phenomenal teacher, a spectacular friend, and a wonderful part of the Lil’ People’s World family. We wouldn’t trade you for the world!