Every year, we gather all of our franchise owners of the Celebree School network together to learn, connect, and grow at our Grow Big Conference. Celebree School of Columbia-South is honored to share that our owner, Jason Skidmore, was nominated to win the Grow Big Award. This award celebrates owners that go above and beyond to develop their team. Hear from Jason about what this award means to him.
What does “growing people big” mean to you as a leader in your school?
“As an owner, growing people big—“team members”—means recognizing talent, drive, and character early, sometimes before the individual sees it themselves, and creating opportunities for that potential to surface. Growing people big into leadership roles means building leaders, not just filling roles, so the business, the team, and the people themselves grow stronger together.”
Can you share a moment where you saw a team member grow in a way that made you especially proud?
“One moment that stands out for me is the growth journey of Tameka Ross, our Director at Celebree of Canton. Tameka began her career with us as a classroom teacher, where she immediately distinguished herself through her enthusiasm, commitment, and genuine support of her colleagues. As she continued to grow, she stepped into a Cultural Mentor role, where her ability to listen, coach positively, and lead with empathy became even more evident. Tameka was then elevated to School Support Manager, further expanding her impact across the organization by demonstrating a consistent commitment to excellence, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to provide real-time support and coaching. In this role, she built a high-performing team that respected her deeply as a leader.
Ultimately, she was promoted to Director, a decision that reflected her consistent, intentional actions and personal commitment to growth. Tameka’s journey is a powerful example of what’s possible when someone actively seeks feedback, embraces constructive coaching, and intentionally applies learning to grow as both a leader and a team builder. Watching her evolve into a confident, thoughtful leader—one who believes deeply in developing a strong, supported team that, in turn, advances our mission of delivering an exceptional experience for children and families—has been incredibly rewarding and makes me especially proud as an owner.”
How has investing in your team impacted the experience for children and families in your school?
“Investing in our team has had a deep and positive impact on the experience and care we provide to both children and families. One of the most measurable outcomes is significantly lower staff turnover, which creates consistency, stability, and trust within our school community. We actively reinvest in our team through regular performance reviews and individualized growth plans. These intentional conversations give our school leadership the opportunity to truly connect with faculty, learning about their personal lives, understanding their professional aspirations, and identifying how their strengths can best support the classroom environment.
Through this process, administrators are able to provide meaningful, constructive feedback while also outlining opportunities for growth, such as shadowing, mentoring, virtual training, or expanded leadership responsibilities. In many cases, we are also able to affirm and elevate the unique qualities team members bring to the classroom, helping raise awareness around long-term career growth potential within our organization. Delivering reviews with consistency, care, and intention fosters strong relationships, builds appreciation, and reinforces the value each team member brings to our school.
This investment translates directly into a positive, engaged culture—one where educators feel supported, valued, and motivated to reinvest their knowledge and passion back into the cslassroom. As a result, our children benefit from nurturing, consistent educators, and our families experience welcoming, positive, and highly engaged interactions rooted in strong customer service and genuine care.”
