They Chose This—Again and Again: A Childcare Provider’s Unshakable Calling

There are some people whose presence changes the room—not because they’re loud or commanding, but because they make you feel safe. Seen. Steady. Like everything is going to be okay.

One of those people is a childcare provider we have the privilege to know. Her journey into this work didn’t begin in the United States, but her heart was always drawn to children. She earned a degree in early childhood education in her home country, but when she arrived here, she learned that her education didn’t “translate.” It wasn’t recognized. That didn’t stop her.

Instead, she started over—this time, in a language she did not yet speak fluently. She studied, worked, parented, and persisted. She earned a new degree in a foreign land, in a foreign tongue, because she wanted her children to know that they could do it, too. She wanted to be there for them—and for all the children who needed someone steady, someone kind, someone who saw them.

That was 30 years ago. She’s still here. Still choosing this path. Still showing up for children with the same gentle, grounded presence.

This isn’t just a job. It’s a calling. A choice made over and over again, not out of convenience or ease—but out of deep, unwavering love.

What’s remarkable is not just her qualifications or her years of experience. It’s the way she makes people feel. It’s the quiet confidence she instills in others—no matter their age. Children flourish in her care, but so do parents, colleagues, and community members. Around her, people feel braver. Calmer. More capable.

There’s no official credential for this kind of magic. No degree that can measure it. But it’s real. And if you’ve ever known someone like her, you understand: this kind of care stays with you for life.

We hold her story close as a reminder of the depth, sacrifice, and love that so many childcare providers bring to their work. They are builders of futures—shaping children not just with lesson plans, but with presence, consistency, and care.

She chose this life—and we are all better for it.