Her Story
About Autumn
I have been working in early childhood education for more than 23 years, and throughout my career, my passion has always been supporting the people who care for our youngest children. I began my career with the school district working with adults with disabilities before transitioning into preschool education. After graduating, I joined Head Start, where I spent 17 wonderful years growing both personally and professionally.
I started in a preschool classroom working with children ages 3 to 5 for about four years before moving into a family educator role. In that position, I conducted in-home visits with prenatal mothers and children from birth to age 3, helping families build strong foundations during the earliest stages of development.
In November, I transitioned into my current role with a Child Care Resource Agency, where I now serve families and providers throughout southeastern Utah, from Carbon County to Vernal and down to Blanding. No two days in my job are ever the same. I visit center-based and family child care programs to observe classrooms, assess quality standards, and provide feedback on ways programs can improve to ensure children receive the best possible care and learning experiences. I also provide coaching support by working directly with teachers to set goals, model teaching techniques, and help them strengthen areas they want to improve.
What motivates me most is helping educators understand how incredibly important their work truly is. Many children spend more waking hours during the week with their caregivers than they do with their own parents. The care, attention, and encouragement they receive in those early years help shape their confidence, emotional well-being, and sense of belonging. You cannot build on a weak foundation, which is why those early experiences must be strong and supportive from the very beginning.
Like many people in education, I am not in this field for the money. I do this work because I genuinely want to help make the world a better place. Children are our future, and by equipping families and caregivers with the support, resources, and knowledge they need, we are making a lasting impact that benefits children throughout their entire lives.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Autumn
01What do you attribute your success to?
Like many people in education, I am not in this field for the money. I do it because I genuinely want to help make the world a better place. I want to support others through compassion, guidance, and care. It may sound cliché, but children truly are our future, and that future begins from the very start of a child’s life.
By providing families and caregivers with the support, resources, and knowledge they need, we are helping create positive outcomes that can impact children for the rest of their lives. A strong foundation in those early years is essential because everything built afterward depends on it. When that foundation is solid, children have the opportunity to grow, thrive, and succeed.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to always be honest and to speak up for yourself. Those two things are incredibly important. Being honest builds trust and integrity, while advocating for yourself ensures your voice is heard and your value is recognized.
Another piece of advice that has stayed with me is to treat everyone with compassion and respect. You never truly know what someone else may be going through or the story they carry with them. Whether it is the director of an organization or the janitor keeping the building running, every person deserves kindness, dignity, and respect.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be patient. Patience is one of the most important qualities you can have. There will be days that feel overwhelming, and during those moments, it is important to step away when you can, take a short break, breathe deeply, and then return with a clear mind.
Challenging behaviors are going to happen; it is simply part of working with children. But those behaviors do not mean a child is “bad.” More often than not, behavior is a form of communication. It is a sign that the child has a need that is not being met or is struggling to express something they do not yet have the words for.
In those moments, patience and understanding matter most. Sometimes you have to put on your “detective hat” and take the time to figure out what the child truly needs. When we respond with compassion instead of frustration, we create opportunities to better support and guide them.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
When you work with a wide variety of people, you encounter many different personalities, backgrounds, perspectives, and beliefs. Because of that, it is important to be adaptable and flexible in your interactions with others. Someone else’s beliefs or values may not align with my own, but my role is not to change who they are or convince them to think the way I do. My role is to support them and help them become the best version of themselves.
Being flexible and able to adjust to each individual’s needs can sometimes be challenging, but I believe it is one of the most important aspects of this work. Every person deserves an individualized experience and meaningful interactions that meet them where they are.
As for future opportunities, my hope is to eventually teach at the college level so I can support and guide students entering these fields from the very beginning of their journey.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are honesty, being nonjudgmental, and offering support and knowledge whenever I can. I believe honesty builds trust and strong relationships, while remaining open-minded and nonjudgmental allows people to feel respected, valued, and understood. I also believe in using my knowledge and experiences to support others whenever possible, because even small acts of guidance and encouragement can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Utah
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.