Meet Our La Petite Academy Staff – Ms. Thuba, Pre-K Teacher & Team Lead

Meet Ms. Thuba, Lead Pre-K teacher and Team lead at La Petite Academy in St. Paul, MN. She has been in the field of early childhood education for seven years and has a degree in early childhood education. Check out our Q&A with this awesome member of our La Petite team!

Tell us a little bit about your background in early child care!

I have my A.A.S. in early childhood education with a specialization in special needs. I’m currently in my bachelor’s program and will be finishing in June. That’s also in early childhood education but focused on organizational management and community outreach. I’ve also been in Montessori schools, family owned, and corporate.

Why did you decide to teach in early education?

I would really have to say it was because of my influential teachers growing up. I was so blessed to have so many caring and supportive women who were just so excited to embrace my ethnicity and my skillsets at a young age. That really influenced my decision to go into early childhood education.

How is this career rewarding to you?

I find the reward in hearing the children retain information and apply it without command. It just happens. To know that they are utilizing that knowledge that I’m teaching them means that they’re really listening and they are excited about it. It’s really rewarding to see them embrace lessons and apply them in their everyday lives.

Can you share a favorite accomplishment you’ve had here at La Petite?

When I first got here, the school was in a little bit of a transition period. I’m really happy that I was able to come in with a bright attitude and the will to succeed and really focus on the families and talk to them individually and figure out what it is they were looking for. I was able to take all of their feedback in and really apply it through the curriculum and through personal interactions with their children and the parents. I was able to build a bond with these families so quickly and meet their expectations and standards.

How do you maintain communication?

I love our PreciouStatus app. I love sending lots of photos, lots of messages to the parents. My updates are pretty thorough throughout the day. We also have an open door policy within the classroom and the school.

Why do you feel early childhood education programs are important for kids today?

I think it’s important in our day and age because people are understanding that children aren’t just these blobs walking around waiting for you to give them a whole bunch of information and then regurgitating it. Everyone is understanding that these first few years are so critical to the outcome of the rest of their lives. It is at this pivotal moment that we have high quality teachers working under high standards to provide the care and education to the children need. Early childhood education is not glorified daycare, it is an early learning program that specializes in activities and lessons that help the children fulfill their milestones.

What are some memorable moments you’ve had at the center?

I feel like everything is so memorable here! The things that the children will say to me, like we were talking about snowballs, and my student said “I wish I could catch the sun’s rays and turn them into little snowballs and throw them at people so they can be happy.” Those are my memorable moments.