By Adam Grobman

Jodi Meloy’s career in childcare began by happenstance – way back when she was selecting electives in her senior year of high school.

“I didn’t want to take a fourth year of French,” she laughs. “So I took a Child Development course instead.”

As part of the class, Jodi and her classmates worked in a daycare, with each student assigned to look after one of the children. “I just absolutely fell in love with working with these children,” she says. “I was so excited to go to the class and see my child, and I realized I could do this for my whole life!”

And that’s what she’s done – bringing more than twenty-five years of childcare experience with her when she became the Director of the Brenner Family Early Learning Center at the beginning of October.

She looks forward to getting to know both children and adults in the community.

“I want parents to know that I have an open-door policy,” she says. “If you ever need anything, all you have to do is reach out – if I don’t know the answer, I will find it for you.”

Jodi says that she is learning more and more each day (including the differences between the State requirements that apply at the ELC and her previous job, working as an administrator at a child development center under the Department of Defense), and that her first two months on the job have been rewarding.

“The best thing about the work is the kids themselves,” she says. “It’s such a great feeling when you’ve taught them something and see them sharing what they’ve learned – we have the ability to give children a love of learning.”

Outside of the classroom, Jodi has a twenty-three year old son, Dylan, and enjoys spending time with her two German Shepherd rescue dogs and practicing diamond art. But, she gets plenty of excitement on the job, too.

“It’s never a dull day,” she says. “I absolutely love being here – the staff is great, and the parents have been very friendly. I’m looking forward to getting to know them and their children more as the year continues.”