Ghislaine "Gigi" Kinzounza
Ghislaine “Gigi” Kinzounza is a dedicated and passionate educator with over 25 years of experience in early childhood education. As the Lead Teacher at Glen Leven Presbyterian Church, Gigi has spent more than two decades shaping the minds and hearts of young learners, fostering a nurturing environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. Her commitment to excellence and innovative teaching methods have made her a respected leader among colleagues, students, and families alike.
Throughout her career, Gigi has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field of early childhood education, most recently receiving the 2025 Best Early Childhood Educator Award. Beyond her classroom responsibilities, she actively participates in professional development opportunities, such as the TQEE summit, to stay at the forefront of educational best practices. Gigi also dedicates her time to volunteer initiatives, including community service projects with OneGenAway.Com, reflecting her belief in the importance of giving back and creating positive impacts beyond the classroom.
Gigi’s work is guided by her core values of compassion, mentorship, and advocacy for quality education. She is committed to nurturing not only academic growth but also the social and emotional development of her students, ensuring each child feels valued, supported, and empowered. Her dedication to both her profession and her community exemplifies the profound difference one passionate educator can make, inspiring both peers and families to strive for excellence in early childhood education.
• 2025 Best Early Childhood Educator Award
• Justice and Mercy International
• Shower Up Ministry
• Food Bank Service (Nashville area)
• Missionary Work in Amazon Jungle
• Brazil
• Missionary Work in Moldova
• East Europe
• Missionary Work in Africa
What do you attribute your success to?
The key to my success is my faith in God and my belief that every human is valuable, no matter who they are or what they look like. My success is rooted in love - loving people of all kinds, young ones, children, and all people. I am a woman of faith, and my faith is my drive. I have been through a lot, but I am not broken. I have taken my hardship and turned it into something great. It drives me to serve people. Children inspire me - their strength, resilience, the power to forgive and to love, and their enthusiasm and curiosity to keep going gives me strength. I am in my 50s, but I am so strong because of just loving people and just being present in their lives. It definitely empowers me.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I’ve learned to never give up, stay persistent, and keep moving forward no matter the challenges.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I will give her is, first of all, she has to consider herself as a professional. She has to know she is making a difference. What she is doing is very valuable, so I will tell that teacher, please give the best of yourself, and know you are valued. It does not matter what right now you are making, because our field is the least considered in income, but we are making a difference. So I will tell her, keep going! This was not my first choice, but after all these years, I am so glad I do this. Do not let the negativity put you down. Do not be intimidated by maybe I am not going to make enough. No. You need to not only be educated, you need to know who is advocating for you, you need to be connected to other organizations that are already in place, and you will continue also your education.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenge is sometimes the income. But also, what the common public thinks about who we are, because some people are not educated to know enough that we are professionals, we are not babysitters. We are making a difference in our society. Here in Tennessee, we have organizations that can help you, if you are educated, if you go back to school, you can earn a decent income. The opportunity is that you need to be connected to other organizations that are already in place and continue your education.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are love, compassion, and service. I strive to be present and supportive for the children I teach, for those who need guidance, and for my community—whether through mentoring or helping the homeless. Making a positive impact on others’ lives is at the heart of everything I do.