Karla Woods
Karla Woods is a dedicated early childhood education leader with over 40 years of experience shaping the lives of young children and their families. Inspired by her grandmother—who provided her with a nurturing, safe environment during a time when quality childcare was limited—Karla developed a deep passion for creating that same sense of care and belonging for others. After high school, she pursued a degree in early childhood education and has devoted her entire career to the field, building a legacy grounded in compassion, consistency, and purpose. As the Director of Colonial Hills Child Development Center in San Antonio, Texas, Karla oversees the health, safety, and development of the children in her care while leading a team of approximately 21 staff members. She is deeply involved in every aspect of the center, from staff development and program planning to hands-on classroom support when needed. Under her leadership, the center has earned a four-star Rising Star rating and is working toward national accreditation, reflecting her commitment to excellence. Karla ensures that her program supports children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development, helping them reach key milestones in a safe and supportive environment. Karla’s philosophy is rooted in treating every child and family as an extension of her own. She prioritizes building strong relationships, fostering trust, and ensuring that every child feels seen and valued. Over her 21 years at the center, she has watched generations of families grow—many of whom return years later to visit or seek guidance. Beginning her career as a teacher and quickly advancing through roles such as curriculum coordinator and assistant director, Karla brings both experience and heart to her work. Her leadership continues to be defined by her unwavering dedication to children, families, and the educators she mentors every day.
• CDA ( Child Development Associate)
• Bachelor's Degree in Educational Studies K-12
• Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education
• Small Business Provider of the Year Nominee (Texas Workforce)
• Child Hood Champion Award Nominee(Texas Workforce)
• NAEYC
• TAEYC
• Food Bank Fundraisers
• Parenting Classes
• Community Resource Center
• Elderly Care Partnerships with Nursing Homes
• Holiday Programs and Parades
• Project Quest Workforce Development
• Internship Programs
• Disability Awareness
• Collaborating with Local Schools
• Supporting Church Outreach Programs
• Continuity of Operations
• Holiday Toy Drives
• Improve Program Quality
• Servant Leadership
• Emergency Plans
What do you attribute your success to?
My journey in early childhood education began when I started working toward my Associate of Science degree. During that time, I got married, started my family, and continued pursuing my education with determination and faith. After completing my associate’s degree, I earned my Child Development Associate (CDA) Creditional a milestone that deepened my commitment to high quality, child centered care.
From there, I continued advancing my education while working full‑time, earning my bachelor’s degree in educational studies (K–12) and later my master’s degree in early childhood education. Each step required balance, sacrifice, and perseverance, but my family’s support made it possible.
I even began the process of pursuing my doctoral degree but chose to pause that journey as my husband and I are currently raising five of our grandchildren, ages six and up. It’s a responsibility I never expected, yet it has become one of the greatest blessings of my life. They keep me grounded, energized, and young at heart and ensuring their well‑being remains my top priority.
My story is rooted in resilience, purpose, and family. Every achievement reflects the love, support, and strength that surround me.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Put God First , then lead with clarity!
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Effective leadership begins with listening. Too many leaders overlook this, but listening is essential to understanding your team and guiding them well. I invest deeply in my staff, meeting with them individually every two weeks to discuss goals, classroom needs, and professional growth. When schedules don’t allow for one‑on‑one meetings, I maintain consistent communication through monthly memos and updates to ensure everyone has the tools and support they need.
Leadership also requires care and presence. Delegation has become a key part of my growth. I learned over time that I cannot and should not do everything alone. I remind my team that there is no “I” in team, and I model that belief by working alongside them. Whether it’s joining a field trip, stepping into a classroom, or helping in the kitchen when the cook is out, I lead by example. My team knows that I am fully engaged in the work we do together. This is the foundation for strong leadership.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges in early childhood education is delivering high‑quality, child‑centered care within the limits of a nonprofit budget especially in a field where teacher pay does not reflect the value of their work. Yet I believe that when we put God first, we find the clarity and strength to lead with purpose. That clarity allows us to invest deeply in our staff, elevate program quality through accreditation, and build meaningful community partnerships. Even with limited resources, we can create environments where children thrive. One of the biggest challenges in my field is maintaining and elevating program quality through accreditation while addressing programs that don’t prioritize true child-centered care. At the same time, there’s a strong opportunity to invest in staff development and build meaningful community partnerships, even within the realities of a nonprofit budget, teachers feel valued, and families experience true care.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family is very important to me - that's one of the things that guides me. My spirituality is very important to me as well. I'm a spiritual person, and prayer is key for me. I pray a lot. In my field of early childhood, trust and communication are important to me. Safety and well being are critical. Professionalism and accountability matter. But one of the main things that's very important to me is respect for each child. I tell my staff all the time when we're in trainings and different things like that, you have to give respect to get respect. If you want these kids to respect you, you have to respect them on a daily basis. That respect is very important to me.