Lauren H. celebrates 8 years with GC4!

In March, GC4 celebrated the 8-year work anniversary of Lauren H. Lauren is our Lead Infant Teacher, who also currently serves as Interim Director of the Center. She has been with us since we opened our doors in 2017, and she has been absolutely integral to our growth and success.

To mark the occasion, we conducted a brief interview with Lauren. Below is a summary of our chat.

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What roles have you had at GC4?

I have always been the Lead Infant Teacher, and I’m currently serving as Interim Director. I knew it would be a lot of additional work to take on the Interim Director role, but I’m happy to do it. I really take pride in the daycare and want it to be successful!

‍What do you like about working in child care?

I love watching kids grow and change from stage to stage and go from room to room. I love working with all ages, and in my role as Interim Director, I’m interacting with all the kids pretty regularly. We have many kids from 7-5 every day, which means we’re spending nearly as much time with them as their parents are. I want all the parents to know how much their kids are loved, and I try to show them that every day.

What do you like about working with infants, in particular?

I especially like working with infants because of the responsibility I feel to parents. I care for them the way I would want someone to take care of my own kid at their smallest and most vulnerable age.

I love getting feedback that I’ve made a difference in a child's development. For example, [GC4 parent] Melissa Norman always tells me that I taught her baby how to sleep. As a parent of a two-year-old myself, it feels really good to know that I’ve helped both a child and their family in a really important way!

What do you like to do in your free time?

I’m kind of a homebody and a big family person. Every Sunday I get together with my family for Sunday dinner and cards, and we laugh and just have a great time.

I also have a second job where I run bar services during tournaments and events at the Garner Golf Course, such as the Garner Chamber of Commerce outing. I love being out in the community and interacting with people in a way that is very different from my work at the child care. I know pretty much everyone in Garner –  Reid [Weiland, GC4 Chairman of the Board of Directors] always tells new teachers that if they have a question about anything in Garner, they should ask me!

What is your favorite Bible verse?

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. This was the verse I chose for my Confirmation service, and it’s still very meaningful to me today.

What advice would you give to folks considering a career at GC4?

We have a really fun, hard-working staff. I consider them like my family. It’s funny, because sometimes people say to me that it must be exhausting to work with kids all day. But I don’t ever wake up and not want to go to work –  I love going to work every single day.

Even if we have disagreements or tough times as a staff – which we do, just like any other family – we always work it out. It’s such a positive, supportive environment.

What do you think about the GC4 Expansion?

I’m really excited for GC4 to grow and expand! It will be such a great thing for Garner. I’m especially excited to get our own space, and to have two new playgrounds, since we don’t even have one today. It’s a really exciting time to join GC4!!

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The entire GC4 Staff, Board of Directors, and current and alumni families congratulate Lauren on her 8-year work anniversary milestone. We thank her for her service to GC4, and we look forward to spending many more years together!

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