My director, Lynda, played a defining role in shaping not only my career path but also my understanding of leadership. From the beginning, she saw potential in me that I didn’ t yet see in myself. Lynda was a strong, confident leader with high expectations, and she did not shy away from holding people accountable. At times, that was hard for me. There were moments when I didn’ t like her decisions, her directness, or the standards she insisted on. But looking back, those very qualities are what made her such an effective mentor.

“ Lynda encouraged me to pursue my education and to see early childhood education as a profession worthy of investment, growth, and respect. She didn’ t frame this work as temporary or secondary; she treated it as important, demanding, and impactful.... She trusted me with responsibility, pushed me beyond my comfort zone, and expected me to rise to the challenges in front of me. That trust was powerful. It communicated that I mattered, that my growth mattered, and that I had something to contribute.”

— Misa Anderson, Salt Lake City, Utah

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