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 Elkridge and Celebree School of Glen Mills are honored to share that our owner, Kelli Amrein, won the Grow Big Award this year. This award highlights Celebree School owners who are committed to growing their team, both professionally and personally! Hear from Kelli about what this award means to her.
What does “growing people big” mean to you as a leader in your school?
“For me, “Growing People Big” is not just managing staff but developing people into stronger, more confident educators and leaders. I see their potential before they see it and support their growth intentionally through coaching and giving valuable feedback with hands-on experience, and without a doubt, creating an environment that is safe for them to grow and stretching them in the right ways while giving them opportunities that feel slightly uncomfortable. Then they can see that I trust them even before they are 100% confident in themselves.“
Can you share a moment where you saw a team member grow in a way that made you especially proud?
“We intentionally create opportunities for our employees to grow beyond where they start. Over half of our team joins us as aides/assistants, and we immediately begin investing in their pathway toward becoming lead teachers. That commitment is reflected in our leadership team as well, where two of our three managers started in classrooms as teachers and grew into leadership roles through their own development journey. This is something I’m especially proud of because it shows that growth at our schools is not just encouraged—it is expected, supported, and achieved!“
How has investing in your team impacted the experience for children and families in your school?
“When our teachers are growing, children benefit first. A confident, supported teacher tends to be more patient and present and has more intentional learning and interactions with their class. This means classrooms are calmer, children create stronger relationships and have more meaningful learning. Families can see this through better communication, stability in the classrooms, and see their children are cared for by teachers who are trained and supported.”
