Over the years, she has seen many changes in ECE. Her dedication remains steadfast. She continues to advocate, mentor, and empower the underserved population. Her greatest goal is to inspire and help others succeed.

Ms. Sue, we are confident that your positive influence on our children will make the world a better place. Thank you!

Over the years, Tiffany has seen early childhood change in many ways. Now, with the use of technology, early childhood has advanced to new levels of learning; children use a more hands-on approach to learn new things at their own pace. For example, the creative curriculum program is designed for students to pick their own theme that they feel is designed for them.

Like many ECE professionals, Tiffie and Tiniki “grew up” in child care, learning the early educator fundamentals from family members who provided child care in their homes and who became their mentors and inspirations.
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Channeling their experience and passion as caregivers, parents and fledgling entrepreneurs, they overcame the challenges of opening state-licensed child care centers in an area suffering from years of disinvestments. Since their center start-ups in 2013 and 2016, Ms. Jackson and Ms. Long-Steele have provided essential services - infant care, flexible and out-of-school hours, transportation, and financial assistance through state subsidy – for hundreds of St. Louis families.

As life-long City residents, Ms. Jackson and Ms. Long-Steele embarked upon their career as child care entrepreneurs because of their desire to give back to the community and their belief that all children deserve safe, nurturing care to help them reach their full potential, no matter what their life circumstances may be. Ms. Jackson and Ms. Long-Steele share their expertise and resources readily with each other and among their families. They are hopeful that targeted investments in their neighborhood and equitable distribution of resources will enrich the lives of the children and families they serve.

The Center Coordinator asked me to join their Parent Council. At this point, I became a member of the Parent Council but I was still in the classroom and at the center the majority of my day. The Center Coordinator expressed how she was impressed with the way I interacted with the children and how the children and I had a connection.

The Center Coordinator then asked if I was interested in pursuing a career in ECE. I wasn’t sure at that time what I wanted to do. Once I thought it over I did entertain the thought of becoming an ECE teacher. Once I was hired, my position was in the infant/toddler space and also a floater. Within a year’s time I was moved permanently to the preschool class. This is when I was encouraged to get my CDA in preschool and this is when my true journey began.

Their passion started with a networking group of providers who own or direct centers and had similar questions and issues. They shared solutions and encouraged and supported one another during monthly meetings. They call this group MOM (Meeting of the Minds).

After a similar trend of early educator issues, Adrienne and Tina discussed the need for more direct staff support, professional development, etc., and S.T.A.R. (Staff Coaching, Training, Advocacy, Resources) was created. They created this nonprofit to meet early educators where they are, support them in navigating their career path, and provide services or resources to help them move forward. They believe that all teachers should have an equitable and livable wage and hope to continue advocating for this throughout our political arenas.