Learning Care Group News: May 18, 2022
Three outstanding educators share the spotlight this year as the top honorees in Learning Care Group’s prestigious Teacher of the Year awards. Jeide Vargas, Sandhya Kotipalli, and Yancy Pagan were chosen from more than 20,000 early education teachers nationwide across LCG’s the company’s portfolio of schools – including Childtime, Creative Kids Learning Centers, The Children’s Courtyard, Everbrook Academy, La Petite Academy, Montessori Unlimited, Pathways Learning Academy, Tutor Time, U-GRO Learning Centres, and Young School locations. This is the first time that the company has honored multiple teachers with this distinction.
Learning Care Group’s Teachers of the Year for 2022 were selected in recognition of their remarkable work in inspiring a love of learning in children of all backgrounds and abilities, helping prepare their students for future success. Each of the honorees brings lessons to life in creative and engaging ways, partnering closely with school families to ensure consistent learning.
Jeide Vargas
Certified Master Teacher Jeide Vargas from La Petite Academy #7200 in Victorville, CA has consistently demonstrated excellence in her 20+ year career with the company. There’s never a dull moment in the Pre-Kindergarten classroom, where Ms. Jeide draws upon each child’s strengths to assist them in developing new skills as they make new discoveries through fun activities. Along with personalized lesson planning, she effectively utilizes the company’s digital positive behavior support tool, myPath, and an intentional classroom layout to guide students in building social and emotional skills.
Ms. Jeide is known for her unique Displays of Learning (DOL), along with staying in close contact with school families as she shares highlights of their child’s day. Since starting at La Petite Academy as a cook, she has continued her own educational journey and is now working on completing her degree. She generously shares her expertise to help guide her colleagues, leading to increased quality throughout her school.
Sandhya Kotipalli
Lead Teacher Sandhya Kotipalli from The Children’s Courtyard #3070 in Coppell, TX has taught in both Early Preschool and Preschool classrooms and has been with the company for nearly 10 years. Ms. Sandhya simultaneously engages students during classroom activities in group settings and through a one-to-one focus, supporting the children in whichever way they individually learn best. The combination helps to spark their interests as they gain new skills and become self-confident. She regularly revitalizes her classroom learning centers with fresh materials, creating continued interest for the children as they explore.
A keen observer, Ms. Sandhya leverages LCG’s technologies for tracking growth, developing lesson plans, and staying connected with school families. She communicates with empathy and respect, creating a welcoming environment that includes opportunities to learn about various cultural backgrounds and celebrates special events from around the world through games, art projects, and dress. Ms. Sandhya also serves as the school’s classroom trainer for new hires and assists her co-workers with their professional development.
Yancy Pagan
Certified Master Teacher Yancy Pagan from La Petite Academy #7127 in Centreville, VA has made a profound impact in her school community in the brief time she has been with the company. She has earned a reputation as an exceptional teacher whose strong connections with the children enable her to effectively guide them in making good decisions. The Jr. Kindergarten students in Ms. Yancy’s classroom make the most of each day as she anticipates and responds to their needs. She consistently demonstrates how she values their perspective in the way that she supports their growth and empowerment as they develop academic and life skills.
Ms. Yancy is especially passionate about providing nurturing support that encourages children to build positive behaviors. A lifelong learner, she joined Learning Care Group in 2020 holding a CDA (Child Development Associate) before going on to earn an associate degree in Early Childhood Education as well as completing the company’s Master Teacher program. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
Learning Care Group applauds Jeide Vargas, Sandhya Kotipalli, and Yancy Pagan for their extraordinary achievements. They truly represent the best in early childhood education.
About Learning Care Group
Learning Care Group is a leader in early childhood education, with more than 50 years of experience in inspiring children to love learning. Headquartered in Novi, Mich., the company is the second largest for-profit early education and care provider in North America. Learning Care Group (LCG) offers early education and care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years through 10 unique brands: Childtime Learning Centers, The Children’s Courtyard, Creative Kids Learning Centers, Everbrook Academy, La Petite Academy, Montessori Unlimited, Pathways Learning Academy, Tutor Time Child Care/Learning Centers, U-GRO Learning Centres and Young School. It operates more than 1,000 schools (corporate and franchise) across 38 states, the District of Columbia and internationally, and has a capacity to serve more than 150,000 children. Learning Care Group’s proprietary School Readiness Pathway supports the development of the academic and social skills needed for a smooth transition to elementary school.
In addition to serving families in communities nationwide, LCG offers custom benefit solutions designed to meet the needs of any organization and workforce through its corporate funded childcare, back-up-care, and on-site child care options. Whether serving Fortune 500 companies, hospitals, universities, government agencies, or others, LCG’s employer-sponsored childcare benefits offer attractive options to suit the needs of America's employees. For more information, visit www.learningcaregroup.com
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Contact: Lydia Cisaruk – Director of Communications, Learning Care Group; (248) 697-9140; lcisaruk@learningcaregroup.com
