Lana is from a little town in Southern Missouri called Willow Springs. She was raised on a dairy farm that had horses, chickens, goats, cats, and dogs. She moved to Columbia in 2022 for a new job and because she has family in the area. Lana currently has two kids on her roster, and she’s been working with both for about a year. She also works as a nanny to a 5-month-old girl. Read more about Lana below!
How did you become an advocate for early childhood education?
I love children and have since I was young myself, so I wanted to do something with children. I decided on being a case worker, which I did for a time. When I realized that I could do more, I found a job which led me to kids Win. I see how hard things can be for families with special needs kids. So that makes me want to show up more for them.
Why do you think it’s important to be an advocate as a provider?
Advocating is easy when you really believe in what you are talking about. It’s important to be an advocate because as providers, we see how tough things can get for the families. It’s better for us to help because we can share our experiences.
Why should Missouri invest more in child care and early education?
It’s been said so many times and in so many ways, but children are our future. They are the ones who will dictate how our world works later. So if they don’t have a good educational foundation, what will the future look like?
In one sentence, what does the ideal child care and early education system look like for Missouri families?
Child care and education should be inclusive and adaptive, which means not leaving anyone out and adapting to the needs of even special children without secluding them.
What is one thing you’ve learned about advocacy that you’d like to share with others?
Advocation won’t always be easy, but the hard times are when you need to show up the most. If things don’t work out the first time you try, go again and again until they hear you and your concerns.