Community Action is happy to announce the recipient of our 2025 March Staff Spotlight, Center Education Coordinator, Lisa Tjepkes!
Lisa had numerous nominators, here's what they said:
"Mrs Lisa, goes out and beyond to support her teams and the families that she serve. She's a very kind heart, loving and passionate person. She give's all that she has to make her team feel good and proud of the things that they do on a daily basis. She is the greatest, most understanding and approachable CEC. She is not just a CEC but a friend and a family!"
"Lisa goes above and beyond for her staff. She encourage the staff so we can be the best potential. She is understanding about our needs and support the the needs and wants. She embraces our differences and our culture. Lisa is a team player and pull McDonough together!"
"Lisa is the best CEC I could ever ask for. She's the reason why I came to work everyday knowing that I am safe and I belong here. When we need an extra support in our classroom because of a high behavioral needs, she would always come and support us. I work with her for three years and she never turned her back on us. She is a great leader and she make me feel like a valued employee."
"Miss Lisa exemplifies someone who serves with humility, compassion, and inclusion. She is so strongly committed to the families we serve and is always sure to create personal relationships with everyone she comes across! Miss Lisa is continuously commending staff for their hard work! Her warm personality immediately makes all who interact with her feel seen, valued, and understood. Lisa care and love what she is doing. She care the families, staff that she supervise and coworkers."
"I want to nominate Lisa for Staff Spotlight because she go beyond her role as a CEC at the site. She is hard working and runs the center very smoothly without ACEC, and never hesitate to support in classroom when it needs. She always comes to work with her patient, positive energy, appropriate manner, polite to all teammates, and families. She always support her team members and families to be successful in their work environments. She always understands her staff personal life situations and always be there for them when it needs. She always makes me feel comfortable and makes me want to come to work every single day. I’m so lucky to have a CEC just like Lisa’s and appreciate her hard work every single day."
"Informative, supportive, flexible, kind, work hard, humble, understanding person."
"Lisa is a considerate inclusive and supportive leader. She serves with compassion. she understands colleagues challenges and is always ready to help, promotes team work and she leads by example."
"Lisa consistently goes above and beyond to foster a welcoming and warm environment for both staff and families. She is always available to listen with an open mind and deeply values the hard work teachers put in every day. McDonough thrives as a strong center thanks to Lisa's exceptional leadership."
We are so grateful to have staff members such as Lisa that exemplify our mission, vision, and values! Recently we caught up with Lisa to learn more about her and how she views her role at Community Action.
What is your favorite part about working at CAPRW?
My favorite aspect of working at CAPRW is the people and the unwavering support. With nearly 25 years of experience in the Early Childhood field, I have had the privilege of working across various programs and roles. When I rejoined the Head Start program at CAPRW, I anticipated challenges, particularly due to my strong empathy for others, which can make working with people emotionally demanding. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how deeply I connected with my team and the agency’s mission. The work we do daily to support children and families is incredibly fulfilling, and I truly feel that I make a difference every day.
Do you have a favorite memory about working with families?
A memory I will always cherish is working with a mother of a child with a physical disability who joined our program. She was initially anxious about sending her child to school, as it was their first experience apart and in a school setting. Over the past two years, the relationship that has developed between this family, my team, and me has been incredibly rewarding. This mother, who struggled with trusting others to care for her child, now places her trust in us, often expressing her gratitude for the quality care and education her child receives at McDonough Head Start. The emotional journey we all shared when this family first enrolled was filled with uncertainty, but the experiences and opportunities we’ve had together have been truly inspiring and life-changing.
How did you discover your passion for working with children?
Growing up as an only child, I often visited friends with younger siblings and loved the excitement and occasional chaos of having so many children around. One day, a friend’s parents asked if I’d be interested in babysitting their infant, and I eagerly agreed. That was the beginning of my passion for working with children—watching them learn, grow, and being a part of their lives. At 13, I started babysitting, and by 15, I worked as a Teacher Aide at a licensed childcare center. Over the years, I've worked with all age groups, each offering unique experiences. My passion evolved from working with children to supporting families through parent education and helping new teachers develop in the field. I pursued a degree in Early Childhood Leadership, broadening my impact from child care to education and mentorship.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband, children, and family. I have an almost 18-year-old son and a 13-year-old son, along with two Olde English Bulldogges, Tilly and Loki. My hobbies include crafting, painting, reading, watching movies, going for walks, swimming, enjoying bonfires, writing, baking, and watching my son play football.
