The Glenn School for Young Children is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its Director, Mrs. Kerry Bresee. Kerry is grateful for the privilege of working at a school with such a deep history of promoting confident, responsible, caring learners and keeping that philosophy foremost. She feels blessed to have the teachers, the parents, the Parent Council and Glenn Church as her partners in her work.

As a college student, Kerry thought she would like Special Education, but she was so deeply influenced by her social work professor that she changed her career interests. After completing her studies, she worked for ten years in Child Protective Services in three states. After she started her own family, she began to volunteer at the preschool her children attended. She soon found herself working in the 3-year-old classroom and loved it! It was so different from what she had done previously.

Kerry spent eight years at Haygood UMC Preschool as the Director before taking a break to spend time with her family. She then worked for 3 years at the United Methodist Children’s Home. With her social work background, she was very comfortable with her responsibilities as a Preschool Director; she had seen troubled families while in social work and knew how to handle any kind of family conflict. She used her skill set in conflict resolution when working with parents. She stated that 90% of the Director’s job is communication—with the teachers, parents, kids, and supporting organization. Her experiences have allowed her to become one of the best preschool directors in the community.

Her good friend, Rev. Kathy Brockman, recommended that she apply for the position at Glenn. She already knew a lot about the school, its philosophy, and its reputation. She felt the Glenn School for Young Children would be a good fit for her. She described Glenn saying, “This community is wonderful—where everybody knows everybody.”

She is proud of the fact that the school was able to survive despite COVID. She is also proud of changes the school made, including the “Class Dojo”—a communication platform where each class has its own page. This system has changed the way they communicate, such that email and cell phones are almost obsolete.

Kerry’s goal is for children to develop a love of learning and leave Glenn with a love of going to school. “This school has been here for 50 years, and with its loving and caring foundation, it will be around for another 50 years,” she says.

- Written by Jane T. St. Clair, Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) Member