Every year, we gather all of our franchise owners from the Celebree School network together to learn, connect, and grow at our Grow Big Conference. Celebree School of Tysons-Jones Branch and Celebree School of National Landing are honored to share that our owner, Kate Mulcahy, was nominated for the Grow Small Award. This award highlights owners who commit their time to focusing on the development of the children in their school family. Hear from Kate about what this award means to her.
What does excellence in early childhood education look like in your school each day?
We are very proud that Celebree School of Tysons-Jones Branch was the first-ever NECPA-accredited Celebree School and that Celebree School of National Landing was accredited just over two years after opening. Upholding the accreditation and brand standards ensures that we have happy and engaged children who love coming to school every day.
Can you share a story of a child’s growth that really reflects your approach to education?
We have had a number of children start with us who showed signs of speech delays or special needs. We partner with all parents, but with these children, that partnering is critical. I remember particularly a child who came to us four years ago as a toddler. He had very little speech and was extremely anxious. Many days, I would just hold him in my lap in the classroom to calm him. We developed a great working relationship with his mom, and he worked with therapists through his time at Celebree. By the time he was in Pre-K, he was putting in his own code at the door and confidently walking into school. To me, excellence in education is about meeting children where they are and helping them become confident and independent learners as they move on to kindergarten.
How do you ensure your team delivers a consistent, high-quality learning experience?
Our managers take pride in the educational experience we provide because they are the owners of the day-to-day operations of the schools. I see my role as one of support to them when they need me to step in and provide backup or guidance.
