What brought you to Acelero Learning?
I started off as a Head Start parent. I had two children in Head Start and my wife was part of the policy committee. The Head Start organization was looking for a Transportation Coordinator, which is what I was doing for a local county program. I worked in this role for five years when the organization lost its grant. Acelero Learning was awarded the grant and a staff member from Acelero reached out and invited me to visit their program in New Jersey. I was immediately drawn to Acelero’s mission and its diverse team. While they didn’t offer transportation in their program, they did see a role for me with my strong work ethic and skill set and I became their new Director of Operations. That’s what brought me to Acelero. What keeps me here is that I still believe in its mission and the need for high quality early education programs for children in my city.
What do you find meaningful about the work that you do with Acelero Learning?
In my role of Director of Operations, my focus is on maintaining our locations so we have safe, high quality centers for children, families and our staff. When families pull into our parking lots, I want them to know that they have chosen a great place for their children. When they enter our centers, I want them to be impressed with the condition and cleanliness of our facilities. From freshly painted walls and brightly lit hallways to clean classrooms and well-maintained furnishings, I want every classroom to reflect the care and respect we have for our children and their families.
What is something people may not know about Acelero Learning that you would like to share with them?
In addition to how well it serves communities like ours, Acelero invests in its staff’s education and training as an employer. Acelero equips staff with all the skills and tools they need to be successful in their role, whether it is technical training or professional development on teaching children in Head Start. Our staff can embrace new challenges and gain valuable experience working at Acelero Learning.