Be the children’s superhero!

Keena, Child Development Center

Sharing the success of one can inspire the success of another! Please take the time to share in Keena’s story! Keena began her career with the Moreno Valley College Child Development Center. Seeking a full time position the college did not offer, she learned of FSA through her mother and applied. She started as a Classroom Assistant with Hemlock CDC in April of 2013. Spending a year learning the agency, Keena applied for an open Associate Teacher position. The interview focused on her knowledge, her strengths and her potential for growth. In the Associate position, Keena worked closely with the Lead Teacher, taking notes and learning the role of a Lead. When the opportunity presented two years later, Keena Applied for a Lead position at Olivewood CDC. She was honest with the administrative team with some struggles she overcame and clearly communicated her desire to grow. The team appreciated her knowledge, her enthusiasm and her mindset for success. Keena says, “I dived in the role of a lead with my eye’s wide open because I knew my journey wasn’t just beginning and learned more about the agency, the polices, the procedures, and to tame my attitude and become a professional role model for my fellow peers at my site.”

“Set goals for yourself, realistic ones that can be obtained both short term and long term.”

*“Building good teams is important for a great and supportive work environment!” - Keena*

On a path of growth, Keena obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and worked with her Director to learn and take on administrative duties. Three years as a lead teacher, her degree in hand, the next opportunity came as an Assistant Director for Olivewood CDC. Earning the trust and respect of her peers, her supervisor and the administrative team Keena won the position!

Tell us who and what has impacted your success with FSA?

I want to start by saying that there were two teachers who I will give all the credit to for helping me develop and become passionate about working with children. Paola Rivera worked with me through all the difficult days and my struggles to become professional and work on my attitude. She allowed me to take initiative in the classroom and she prepared me, by showing me tools used within the organization like GLAD. She treated me like her equal and that made me have respect for her and my peers. Sharon Rodriguez (no longer with the organization), always told me to keep going and to never give up. She taught me about DRDP Tech and provided me with the tools to be successful within the organization. I enrolled back into school with the words of encouragement from my mother and Sharon. My current Director, Lacy Hughes has taken the time to understand me and has taught me how to get through adverse situations. She has given me knowledge to be an effective leader as she is with her team. She is still working hard with me to prepare me for a Director position at my own site one day. I thank her for having patience with me. I would also, like to say that Mary Hampton saw the potential in me and encouraged me to keep up the hard work. Mary’s honesty and constructive criticism motivated me to keep going. I thank her and everyone from the organization who has believed in me from the beginning.

Words of advice on how to reach your potential, be successful and obtain your goals

Set goals for yourself, realistic ones that can be obtained both short term and long term. You have to discipline yourself when it comes to your future and what you want in life. Believe in yourself because the only person standing in your way is yourself.
– Keena

I would like to eventually become a Director at my own site and go back to school and get my master's degree. Overall, I would like to continue to advocate for the children because they are our future.