Several of our Catholic schools are already part of the program, and the Diocese of Charleston is now in the process of opening Holy Angels Academies in the most rural areas, all thanks to the partnership with FS4K.

Karen Durand, principal of St. John School in North Charleston, was recently featured in the FS4K leader spotlight. The interview below is courtesy of the organization.

What inspired you to become a First Steps 4K leader?

As a principal, I feel it is important that our school welcomes all children. First Steps 4K enables me to serve families that may not be able to afford tuition. I have turned my hair blue, spent a day on the roof and been duct-taped to a wall to raise money to ensure we could provide financial assistance to our families in grades K-8. First Steps 4K provides help for those in K4. I also decided to start a First Steps 4K program because it includes strong curriculum and training, invaluable resources and helpful support.

What are your core values as a leader?

At the core of my life is my faith. If I can keep God as the focus of my decision-making, I am truly doing what is best for our children. As an early childhood leader, I want our children to learn, to explore, to create, to play, to discover, to dream — and to not fear failure. I want them to love coming to school every day. As a leader, I believe that I am not above any task. My teachers need to know that I appreciate their hard work and will do what is needed to support them (even if that includes plunging a toilet, working on the weekend or helping in a classroom).

How do you foster a positive and supportive work environment for your staff?

SNACKS! Honestly, I try to come to school each morning with a smile. I want them to know that I am thankful for the hard work that they do and am always here if they need me. I think of my team as my second family. We celebrate weddings, cry together over loss and laugh daily. They are an incredible group of individuals who love our students as much as I do. I want to nurture the best teacher inside of each of them.

What are your long-term goals for your career in early childhood?

I just want to continue to learn new things to ensure we are providing the very best program we can. I want to make sure to never be complacent in my position. Eventually, adding a 3-year-old program would be wonderful and even another K4 classroom.

What strategies do you use to build strong relationships with families and your community?

I think this is something I am always working on because every family is different. I stand at the door every morning at drop-off to greet our parents and connect with our students. As a school, we organize events that welcome our families and the community. Here are a few things we have: Fall Festival, International Luncheon, Trunk or Treat, Family Workday and Potluck Play Day. We love embracing the various cultures within our community and will have Mass in Tagalog and English soon. I recently attended the Latino Enrollment Institute [called “Alma” at the University of] Notre Dame to gain new strategies to ensure my Latino families feel connected. Most importantly, I try to create an environment where a parent feels safe to come and share questions and concerns.

What impact do you hope to make on the lives of students, your staff, your families and your community?

I want my families, community and my staff to know that I sincerely put my heart into what I do here. When our students are adults, I want them to want to come back and visit because St. John had a positive impact on their lives. I want my little learners to leave here and know that education is so much more than books — it’s a responsibility. I want them to remember to serve others, to be kind, to be life-long learners, to laugh a lot and to remember that God (and Mrs. Durand) loves them.

+ Learn more about First Steps 4K at scfirststeps.org, or learn more about diocesan Holy Angels Academies at holyangelsacademies.org.