New chapter as Executive Director

a message from new Executive Director Jamila Carter

I write to you with tremendous excitement to begin this chapter as your new Executive Director. I’m energized and grateful for the opportunity to lead and learn with each of you.

For families, the early years are sacred, a master class in balancing our hopes and dreams for our children along with their unique gifts and needs. As a young mother returning to work soon after having my first child, I spent countless hours interviewing caregivers, visiting centers, and learning from other parents. I was searching for a place where love and respect for children formed the foundation of a joyful and developmentally appropriate space for learning.

As a parent volunteer, I discovered the magic of early learning experiences where children’s natural curiosity is supported through play. This eventually led to a career in early childhood education, and I learned to be a better parent along the way.

I enter this new role with humility from my experiences as a classroom teacher, school leader, and executive director. I bring deep admiration and respect for the hard work of our teachers in keeping our classrooms vibrant, the effort required to maintain our facilities and grounds, and the leadership and administrative expertise needed to keep our center running smoothly. 

Finally, I also understand that major transitions often come with both excitement and concern. Therefore, I’m eager to begin my tenure with many opportunities for us to get to know each other and share the wisdom we all carry. I am committed to listening to your voices, understanding what makes this community unique, and learning from your experiences. I am eager to hear about the successes, the areas where we can grow, and most importantly, how I can best support this community.

To begin this process, I am pleased to announce two upcoming events where we can get to know each other better:

Coffee and Conversation
Date: Friday, June 14th
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Place: Sweet Building, A-Z Room
This will be a wonderful opportunity for us to connect informally over coffee and light refreshments.

Lemonade Lull
Date: Friday, June 20th
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a relaxed afternoon on the blacktop with lemonade and snacks, allowing for more in-depth conversations and a chance to meet other members of our community.

As I’ve become acquainted with PIC, I am impressed by the same qualities I valued when my children were young, and I am thrilled to be a part of this community. I look forward to new beginnings and building on PIC’s strong foundation. Here’s to a future filled with partnership, collaboration, and joy!