Her Story
About Tonya
I have been in the early childhood field for over 20 years. My expertise lies in influencing teachers and program managers. I focus on policy making, leadership trainings, and helping managers understand their roles in leading staff and elevating others. I have held many positions including classroom teacher, program manager, trainer, outreach director, and coordinator. My greatest achievement is mentoring staff into new roles and watching them grow and create their own influence.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tonya
01What do you attribute your success to?
A lot of it has to do with my own kids. Influencing teachers who manage the lives of young children will ultimately make the world that my kids live in better. It is important that every young generation be given all the skills and tools, and the only way we can do that is if we take care of the staff that take care of the kids.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't be afraid to try it. The worst thing you could do is fail.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Take the time to take care of yourself. Especially because our field is hard, you have to know how to take care of yourself. And that's hard for especially women who take care of others.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the bigger challenges is that it's not always seen as a profession. Early childhood education is sometimes seen as babysitting, and it's so much more than that. The opportunities are endless because our field is always evolving. We are always learning new things that we can do, better ways to help children, and better leadership skills.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Taking the time to understand the in-depthness of the situation and the whys of what's happening. Self-growth and self-reflection are huge because if you're going to be honest, trustworthy, compassionate, and empathetic, it starts with how you are growing in those areas. A behavior is a symptom of a bigger problem or an ask for help.
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