Hello dear families,

With great pleasure, I write this letter as the newly appointed Co-Director here at Grace Children’s Center. My name is Yunuen Cardenas-Garcia. I was born in a beautiful fishing town in the Mexican Pacific in southern Mexico. I came to the United States at the age of 16 and since then Seattle has become my home, where along with my husband, we are raising our three beautiful children: 14, 11 and 4 years old. Together we enjoy spending time outdoors playing sports, camping, and swimming. When I was in high school, the Lord planted a seed in my heart and called me to serve him working with young kids. In 2018 I started my career as a toddler teacher in a bilingual center. Since then, I have been fortunate enough to have continued working with families and children of different backgrounds, as well as fellow teachers, advocating for children’s rights and positive education. I am currently a student at North Seattle College, where I study Early Childhood Education, on my way to earn my Associate Degree as part of my professional growth. I am honored and overjoyed to be welcomed to this beautiful center, where I can continue to fulfill my calling with the children, teachers, and parents.

Along with all of you, I will work hard to continue the legacy of success established here at Grace Children’s Center. I look forward to getting to know all the parents, students and teachers and building solid relationships. During the year, I hope we will work together to provide opportunities that will prepare the children for the world and the challenges ahead. As Co-Director my door will always be open to discuss your concerns, suggestions, or ideas to make the children’s education the best it can be. I would like to thank the Grace Ministry Team for granting me this incredible opportunity to serve our Lord Jesus together and I look forward to meeting you all soon.

Sincerely,

Yunuen Cardenas

Co-Director

Hello Families of Grace, Grace Children’s Center has been a major part of my life since March of 2007, where I first started as a Part Time Teacher in the Pre-Kindergarten Classroom. I eventually was given the opportunity to be Lead Teacher and Teach Full Time in a Pre-School Classroom setting, where at the time, I was going to school to receive an Associates of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. I graduated in 2009, and was able to apply all skills that I’ve learned with my students and watch them grow and learn.

Over the years of Teaching here at Grace, I taught many children, watched them learn new skills, reach milestones, and Graduate out. I eventually look a step back from Teaching and became Assistant Director- in 2014. I learned a lot in this position, while finding ways to use my degree to support the Teachers here at Grace.

In 2017, I started the long road to get my Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching. I originally was going to get my Teaching Certificate, but pivoted and came to the decision that Teaching littles, was more my passion and wheelhouse. Again- my position shifted to Program Supervisor for Infants and Toddlers. As at the time, the classes I were taking catered to Toddlers- PreK.

Going back to school, came with hardships and finding that balance of work, school and home. But I made and gained new Teacher Friends Along the way, and in June of 2019, I walked across Stage and Received my diploma: Bachelors of Applied Science in Early Learning. The goal when I graduated in 2019, was to branch off and find an ECEAP, Head Start or Preschool Classroom setting, within a school district. However, some things arose that put that goal on the back burner, COVID and life.

Over the past few months, I have been doing some self-reflecting and conversing with colleagues, I have finally decided to pursue my dream. I was offered a Job as a Para in a Preschool Classroom and have accepted the position. It was a very difficult decision to make as I have spent many years here at Grace and building many positive relationships with families and Teachers. But I am ready to take that leap and fly, my last day at Grace is the Beginning of the New School Year. I am sad to be leaving here, but I am excited for my new adventure.

I am actively working with Leticia and the Center’s Ministry Team to help find someone to take my place. In the meantime, I will cherish the last few weeks I have with you all.

Blessings and Love,

Jackie Caoagdan

Hello Wonderful Families!!

We are so excited to announce that we will be opening up our School Age Program on September 1, 2022!

At this time, we will only be able to enroll a maximum number of 10 and can only provide transportation to Midway Elementary School. We hope we can expand our enrollment in the future so we are able to serve our community as best as possible!

If you would like more information on any enrollment, please email info@gcc.gotgrace.com

Many Blessings!

Dear Grace Children’s Center parents and families, 

Over the past 4 years, I’ve had the pleasure of watching this child care center grow and transform, adapt to unexpected changes, and become a thriving part of our community. So much of this is thanks to the dedicated leadership of Royale. Alongside so many of you, I’ve seen firsthand her commitment to supporting kids, families, and staff, and am grateful for her many contributions. 

The time has come for Royale to seek a new challenge. While I’m incredibly sad to see her go, I’m excited to witness her bring her passion for this work to new areas, and have the opportunity to build new skills that will help her continue working toward a thriving future for all of our kids. 

We will be conducting a search process for the next Director of Grace Children’s Center, and the job description is now live and shared below. I will be leading this process in partnership with other members of the Ministry Team and GCC staff. Please be sure to share the posting with early learning leaders in your own networks.

Royale has generously offered to stay on for a while to create transition plans, work directly with staff to get ready, and potentially offer support onboarding our next leader. The stability of this Center is something I don’t take for granted, and her thoughtfulness and planning give us the time and grace to hopefully find the perfect next fit. 

I want to thank Royale for all she’s given our kids and Center, and wish her well in all that comes next. If you have any questions or would like to talk more, please let me know and I am happy to schedule time for a conversation – your insights are invaluable and will be critical in helping us identify the next leader for GCC.