Her Story
About Monique
Monique Watts-Dennis serves as director of a child care center in Springfield, Illinois. She entered the early childhood education field immediately after high school, beginning as a school-age assistant before advancing to preschool teacher, assistant director, and ultimately director. Over her 20-year career, Monique has focused on supporting children's growth and connecting families with needed resources. She earned a bachelor's degree in General Studies with concentrations in early childhood and criminal justice/juvenile justice from Baker College in Michigan in 2025. Monique participates in the Maria Whalen Leadership Institute, a fellowship program based in Chicago with Illinois Action for Children, aimed at developing emerging leaders and advocates in early child care across Illinois. Outside her professional role, she supports the Ronald McDonald House and the Breast Cancer Foundation.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Monique
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've ever gotten was make them say no. I kind of took that as an approach of if I'm going to make a change, I'm gonna have to approach opportunities that I'm gonna be told no, and that is okay. Sometimes, you know, we talk ourselves out of opportunities, but If the worst thing going forward is being somebody telling me, no, that's not the worst thing I've ever heard. So, I ask questions, I apply, I speak up, and I always find a way to make room for myself within the room.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid to evolve. Don't stay staggered in early childhood. Understand that as time goes on, we know different techniques, we get more information, we understand how the mind develops. But also, with that being said, follow what interests you, stay open to opportunities, and also let your experiences shape where you're going next. So, if you start out in admin and maybe admin is not for you, maybe, you know, you're more into teaching. Go to the next and become a professor. You know, like, don't Always evolve in this field.
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