A New Chapter in Service: Sue Alexander’s Journey with ECSC
SUE ALEXANDER, ECSC ENCORE STAFF:
“I remember during my training, I wrote a note to myself asking, ‘How can these people trust me with their precious little brains?…You hear about how children start developing so early, and I wondered if I was qualified. But by the end of the training, I felt a surge of confidence. They were thorough and instilled a belief in me. It was a really excellent program.”
Sue Alexander’s path to early childhood education wasn’t conventional.
After years in accounting, Sue retired to find herself at a new kind of desk—surrounded by crayons, nap blankets, and laughter at Family Star Montessori. Inspired by a news segment on Channel 9, she joined the Early Childhood Service Corps (ECSC), seeking both purpose and connection.
“I don’t want to spend my day watching daytime TV,” she says, laughing. “I have friends who retired and haven’t found things they enjoy, and I think they’re kind of not particularly happy. The opportunity ECSC has given me makes me feel useful. I feel younger; I just feel good in a lot of ways.” For Sue, ECSC offers a chance for older adults to connect with children and make an impact. “I think there’s a large group of people who could benefit from what Lisa has created here, and it provides so much benefit to the teachers, who are overworked and underpaid.”
The journey hasn’t been without its learning curve. Reflecting on her initial experiences, Sue recalls, “At one point, I felt like I was just watching kids nap or play, and I wasn’t sure if I was contributing as much as I’d hoped.” Sue said that Lisa, ECSC’s Founder and Director, was quick to offer guidance, reassuring her of her valuable role and encouraging her to explore different parts of the children’s routines.
“I remember during my training, I wrote a note to myself asking, ‘How can these people trust me with their precious little brains?’” Sue shares. “You hear about how children start developing so early, and I wondered if I was qualified. But by the end of the training, I felt a surge of confidence. They were thorough and instilled a belief in me. It was a really excellent program.” Soon after, Sue saw firsthand how teachers engaged with children during work cycle time and outdoor play. “Talking to Lisa helped me see the bigger picture, and I felt welcomed by the Family Star team—they even invited me to join other parts of the day whenever I wanted.”
At Family Star Montessori Northwest in Denver, Sue is grateful for the support of her colleagues and ECSC staff. When she needed help adjusting to the classroom, ECSC Director Lisa Armao was there to help her work through initial challenges. “The support is outstanding,” she shares, reflecting on her conversations with Lisa about understanding Montessori’s unique work cycle. “These little child brains are so precious and deserve so much more… It’s our future, and they need to be nurtured and loved.”
For those interested in joining ECSC, the program provides comprehensive training and flexible placements to fit a variety of schedules. “This work makes me feel good and engaged,” Sue says. “It’s incredibly fulfilling.”
She notes that most days, it’s just as simple as being a source of care and presence. “Some of them just come up and want hugs or smiles,” she notes. “And I got those. [Laughter] I got lots of those.”
Interested in joining the Early Childhood Service Corps? To learn more and see how you can make a difference, sign up for our latest cohort at: bit.ly/ECServiceCorps
Help shape the future by supporting young children in a nurturing, multigenerational environment, just as Kit is doing. For any other questions, email lisa@earlychildhoodservicecorps.org