Gladys:The Controversy

At the end of your life, will you wonder what your proudest moments were?
Obviously I’m doing it! Maybe it’s my age?
Gladys is in the top three and here’s her story, as I remember! 

First The Facts

I was hired to be the Director of a faith based preschool in 1985 in Northern Virginia. Gladys was the bookkeeper. What’s a bookkeeper you ask? Why is money so important to the running of an early care and education center? Here you go!

Bookkeeping is the activity
or occupation of keeping records
of the financial affairs of a business.

Is there enough money to make payroll is important. Where does the money come from? What about the actual running of the school you ask? Paying the electricity bill is important. Let’s talk about a budget. You get it now? 

And boy did she run a tight ship. She taught me that when you run a preschool everything relates back to  to the budget.  I believed her. I trusted her. She was a math major. Remember that I don’t know much because I’m in my first months of being a Director. And thank goodness that Gladys was an expert and she generously shared all of her knowledge with me. I gladly received it, soaked it all in! Gladys also taught Sunday School. I remember chatting with her about her love of teaching and her wish to become a “real” teacher since she was a little girl growing up in Charlottesville, VA. She wanted bookkeeping to be a side gig.

The Story

It was my first year as the Director and of course a teacher decides that for whatever reason, she’s leaving. Really? In September? It’s one of many nightmares for a Director. And this will be my first hire as the Director. Where will I find that someone that is experienced and knowledgable? I want to get this right the first time. 

I found this quote the other day as I began to write this story and I immediately thought of Gladys! 

The most important qualities of any educator 
are not adequately captured on a resume. 
It is hard to quantify passion, energy, dedication, 
patience, perseverance, and love… 
but in the classroom… 
those qualities make all the difference in the world.
Danny Steele, Educator

Back to the story! I’ve only been on the job a few weeks and now I have to make a major decision? And as mentioned in my last Blog, I don’t know what I’m doing and I need help. And why does Gladys’ name keep bubbling up in my thoughts? And yet, the bubbles are there and they won’t go away. I tell myself to pay attention. 

You see where this is going don’t you?  
She’s right under my nose.
It’s Gladys! 
And here’s the deal.
Gladys has a speech impediment.

Did I mention that she was really good with young children? She’s curious about children and how they learn. Curious has ALWAYS been an important word to me. She’s a team player. She’s kind and loving. And I want the best teacher for my first hire. And in my heart, it’s Gladys! So how can I do this? Ask for help! 

I lived in the Northern Virginia area, outside of Washington, DC. That translates to lots and lots of universities. So I looked in the phone book. Remember that it’s 1985, and I found the speech department at The George Washington University. And guess what? I found someone to speak to me about my conundrum. She asked me so many questions. And this is the only question that I remember. “Is she in speech therapy?” I happily replied, “yes!” This person assured me that three year olds would not start speaking like Gladys. That’s the short story! 

And just like that I knew in my heart that Gladys was going to be spectacular. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Speaking with a speech expert was just the first step. There is a whole process to hire a teacher or so I thought. 

As I proceeded with the hiring process, I discovered that the process wasn’t rigorous enough and yet that’s what I had to work with in hiring Gladys. I made copious notes as to where I saw the holes and kept moving the process forward. I don’t remember her being interviewed by the School Board from the church but I know it happened. I just don’t remember it. 

And then it begins! I announce that Gladys has been hired and just like that I am met by some women with cruel and bitter criticism. I am stunned that this was happening in a church. It was unsettling for sure. My Office Manager was one of the strongest voices. Another teacher quit. That ended up being a good thing. Thankfully only one family left. 

Yet, here’s the good news. The support and love for Gladys and my decision was louder that the naysayers. This is where you can breathe a sigh of relief. I know that I did. Don’t get me wrong. It was tough going there the first few months. Parents just wanted the reassurance that their precious child was going to grow, learn, and be loved. I wanted the same thing. Some folks may think that my decision was risky! That word never entered my brain. Controversial. I can get on board with that word but not risky. 

The story doesn’t end there. Oh no! By the end of that year, Moms were either writing me notes and coming to see me to request Gladys for their child’s teacher.

And I was growing as a Director. So I grew. Gladys grew and we’re better for it. And here’s how:

• Gladys graduated with a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education in 1989. 
• Over the years, Gladys presented at NVAEYC conferences. Her presentations were well attended. She was sought out. 
• Gladys served as treasurer of NVAEYC for years.
• Gladys was a sought out teacher by parents and families. Parents would write me begging that their child be in her classroom. 
• Gladys is a published writer. Here are the links to her two books. 
  A Journey Called Life
  Better Parenting Through A Better You

Full Disclosure

As I began to write this blog, I remembered that Gladys had written a book. She had sent me a copy and believe me that I searched my small cottage for it to no avail. I continued to write and then thought, “is her book on Amazon? YES!” 

I ordered her book. 

And my memories are accurate. It’s the dates that are off a bit. I decided to leave my memories “as is!” 

So Where Is the Sweet Spot? 

Here’s what I wonder? Does it come down to this simple idea? 

Every decision that we make in early care and education centers are based on what’s good for children? Could it be that simple? It’s not about making money. Money is a byproduct. Best practices are imperative and they can come in the most unlikely of places… like Gladys. 

Yep! I am proud of this decision and even more proud to call her my friend. 

Do you see any sweet spots? Do you have a Gladys story to share? Write a comment. I’m interested.