Her Story
About Nicole
I got into early childhood education during COVID after surviving a domestic violence relationship. I had left my ex-husband and needed to raise two children by myself with no job. My daughter's daycare kept closing because of COVID, so I emailed the director asking what qualifications I needed to work there. I ended up getting hired at my daughter's daycare center because I figured if they shut down, I wouldn't lose my job. I discovered I was really good at it - all the skills I had learned helping domestic violence victims, working as a case manager, helping families, and working with organizations like DDS, DCF, and DMH translated beautifully into the classroom. I could help families access resources they needed. It was the first time in my life that I really honed in on 'this is what I want to do.' Now, about three and a half to four years later, I'm about to have my bachelor's degree, I'm starting graduate school, I've got my director's certification, and I've definitely increased my income from when I first started. I overcame a lot of different things to get here. I found my calling in early childhood education, specifically pre-K to 2nd grade.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nicole
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to never giving up. When I'm frustrated with something or I don't understand something, I'm not afraid to ask questions. I ask for clarification, and I've significantly strengthened my communication skills over time. Even when things were incredibly difficult - overcoming learning disabilities and dyslexia, surviving domestic violence trauma, being a single mother - I just kept going. I'm doing it. I beat the odds and never gave up, even when school was extremely tough for me and I often felt forgotten about.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received was that other people's opinions of me are none of my business. Somebody told me when I was younger to look in the mirror and say that to myself. They explained that sometimes you can do all the right things, work really hard, and do everything you're supposed to be doing, but you're not always going to make everybody happy. They said you really have to get your confidence about your skills from within, not outwardly. That advice has helped me stay focused on my own growth and not get derailed by external criticism.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't let anybody tell you that you can't accomplish something. I grew up with learning disabilities and dyslexia, and school was extremely tough for me. I often felt forgotten about. But I never gave up, and now I'm about to have my bachelor's degree with high honors, I'm starting graduate school, and I've found my calling. No matter what challenges you face or what people say, keep pushing forward and believe in yourself.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Inclusion is probably the thing that is most important to me, both in my profession and in my personal life. I grew up with learning disabilities and dyslexia, and school was extremely tough for me. I often felt forgotten about. That one value - inclusion - helps you build connections, build trust, and maintain and sustain positive, healthy relationships with the people around you. I really want to make sure that children who are different, who need a little extra, do not get forgotten about in the classroom. I try to go above and beyond to include them and change curriculum in a way that suits their unique needs, because I did not often get that when I was a child.
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