by Jessica Naumiec
Jessica Naumiec is the former Operations Manager on Jumpstart’s Program and Evaluation team.
Thanksgiving is almost here, a time when families across America will gather around the table to enjoy a delicious meal and share with each other why they’re thankful. As I reflect on the past year, I’ve been thinking about just how much I have to be thankful for as a member of the Jumpstart family.
I’m thankful for the children and families we serve. Every day in 630 preschool classrooms across the country, Jumpstart children show us what matters most (and it’s certainly not the latest gadget or what time stores will open on Black Friday). It’s the pure joy and curiosity they bring with them to school day after day. Our work is driven by the guiding principle that all children deserve a fair chance to succeed in school and in life. We’re thankful for the chance to be catalysts during children’s early years to make that fair chance a reality.
I’m thankful for my co-workers. I’m thankful for their smiling faces in the morning and for their steadfast commitment as we work together to achieve our mission. I’m lucky to spend the majority of my week with colleagues who are so encouraging and thoughtful. Not every workplace is like Jumpstart, and I know I’m fortunate to be part of the growing Jumpstart family.
I’m thankful for our supporters, who enable our Corps members to have life-changing service experiences while closing America’s kindergarten readiness gap. They say “it takes a village” and our community of supporters is second to none. Thanks to the kindness of companies and individuals from DC to San Francisco, we’re able to foster the next generation of leaders, one child at a time.
Lastly, I’m thankful for our Corps members. Serving with Jumpstart is a remarkable commitment, and Corps members give so much of their time, talent, patience, and joy to children throughout the school year. They spend hours practicing and training to deliver a proven curriculum, and they support each other as a team through a rigorous year of learning. I’m thankful for those initial moments that inspired them to serve and for the transformative experiences that compel so many of our alumni to make a career of putting children first.
What are you thankful for this year? Tell us in a comment below.
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