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KinderCare honors and celebrates teachers during 2022 Teacher Appreciation Week

May 3, 2022

Company spotlights eight teachers across the country with more than 40 years of experience

Portland, Ore. (May 3, 2022) – Teacher Appreciation Week began yesterday and KinderCare Learning Companies®, one of the nation’s largest providers of high-quality early childhood and school-age education and child care, has many reasons to be grateful. This week provides a special opportunity to thank our more than 29,000 teachers for the important role they have in providing a strong foundation for our nation’s children. For families who depend on KinderCare to support them with their children’s early learning and care, teachers are essential partners in raising their children and extensions of their own families.  

Celebrating the unique differences and talents each KinderCare teacher holds for their families is this year’s theme of Teacher Appreciation Week. KinderCare employs more than 29,000 teachers in more than 2,000 centers and sites around the country, caring for children ages six weeks to 12 years old.

Teachers are critical to KinderCare’s continued commitment to providing high-quality early learning experiences and safe, nurturing environments for children. KinderCare has the most nationally accredited early learning centers in the country. National accreditation not only provides external validation of the quality of the company’s programs and teachers, but it also illustrates the incredible impact teachers have on the lives of young children.

“At KinderCare, we believe that educating young minds and caring for our next generation is the highest calling there is,” said Dr. Elanna Yalow, KinderCare’s Chief Academic Officer. “These past two years have underscored the profound impact that early childhood professionals have. Every one of our incredible teachers has the opportunity to engage, inspire, and unlock the imaginations, dreams and endless possibilities within every child to help them become the kind, curious, unique individuals they are destined to be. Our teachers are the heartbeat of our company and our communities.”

In addition to celebrating all teachers through activities in every center and site, the company is recognizing this year’s Esteemed Educators — teachers who have been part of the KinderCare family for 40 years or longer.

The 2022 Esteemed Educators are:

  • Sheila Cameron from Oviedo, FL
  • Chris Craig from Kingsport, TN
  • Christine Bierlein from Morrow, GA
  • Carrie Knepp from Roseville, CA
  • Ann Porter from Portsmouth, VA
  • Martha Thompson from Hazelwood, MO
  • Ernestine Watkins from Burlington, NJ
  • Teresa Weber from Charlotte, NC

KinderCare encourages everyone to reach out to the teachers in their lives to express their appreciation this week and throughout the year. KinderCare families can share their stories and offer thanks to their teachers on KinderCare’s social media site here.

KinderCare is currently hiring for teaching roles in programs across the country. The company offers competitive salary and benefits including significantly reduced child care rates as well as a friendly and creative atmosphere where teachers are part of a team of caring, skilled professionals. For more information or to apply, please visit our website.  

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About KinderCare Learning Companies®
KinderCare Learning Companies is one of America’s largest providers of early childhood and school-age education and child care. KinderCare supports hardworking families with differentiated flexible child care solutions to meet today’s dynamic work environment in 40 states and the District of Columbia:

  • In neighborhoods, with KinderCare® Learning Centers that offer early childhood education and child care for children six weeks to 12 years old;
  • At work, through KinderCare Education at Work™, providing customized family benefits for employers across the country, including on-site and near-site early learning centers and back-up care for last-minute child care, and
  • In local schools, with Champions® before and after-school programs.

Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, KinderCare operates more than 2,000 early learning centers and sites. In 2022, KinderCare earned its sixth Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award – one of only four companies worldwide to win this award for six consecutive years. To learn more, visit KC-Learning.com.