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 20 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)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree in Educational Studies K-12
• Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education
• Childhood Champion Award Nominee (Texas Workforce and United Way)
• Small Business Provider of the Year Nominee (Texas Workforce)
• Food Bank Fundraisers
• Parenting Classes
• Community Resource Center
• Elderly Care Partnerships with Nursing Homes
• Holiday Programs and Parades
• Project Quest Workforce Development
• Internship Programs
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family and their support. That family support means everything to me. Even when I started out with just a CDA and went to school for an associate's degree, I was able to continue my education while working here for 20 years. I attained my bachelor's degree in educational studies K-12, and then I went on to get my master's degree in early childhood education, all while working full-time. I'm even thinking about working towards my doctor's degree - I had already applied to several schools, but right now I have 5 grandkids that I'm helping raise, so I put it off. Me and my husband are raising 5 of our grandkids from ages down to age 6, and they're living in my home. It's a responsibility that I never thought I would have to take on, but they have been a blessing to me. I think they keep me young at this age, and making sure that my grandkids are okay is what matters most.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Just being a leader, you have to be able to listen. So many leaders out there, they don't listen, and you have to be able to listen in order to lead. You also have to be invested in your staff. I meet with my staff every two weeks - I have one-on-one with my staff every two weeks. We talk about goals, we talk about what they need in the classroom, or if I don't meet with them, then I send out monthly memos and different things like that. I want to make sure that they have all the tools that they need. You have to be able to listen, you have to be caring. Delegation is key - I learned that over time, because I used to think I could do it all. But I always tell my staff, there's no I in team. I have people that are here supporting me as well, and I have teachers that when I need help, they're there for me. Even in my leadership role, I let my teachers know that I'm still doing it - I go on field trips, if the cook is out, I help cook lunch, I go in the classroom for support. I do it all.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
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.
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.