About the Educator Awards

Knowledge Universe, the nation's leading provider of early childhood education and care, is proud to announce the winners of the 2009 Knowledge Universe Early Childhood Educator Awards.

These awards honor early childhood education (ECE) teachers dedicated to excellence in education. Every year, five award winners are selected from the company's more than 40,000 teachers within its ECE brands, including KinderCare Learning Centers and CCLC.

The 2009 winners were notified through a surprise, on-site celebration, culminating with the presentation of a check for $10,000 and local media coverage. In November, each award winner was flown to the 2009 NAEYC Annual Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C. where they visited Capitol Hill and met with their Representatives, Senators, and Congressional staff members. On November 20, the winners received national recognition at a breakfast in their honor, which was attended by representatives from the federal government and policy, education, and child welfare agencies, as well as industry media.

2009 Educator Award Winners

Lisa Andersen

Lisa has been with KinderCare for more than 20 years and is currently the Pre-Kindergarten teacher at KinderCare center #000898 in Westmont, Illinois. Lisa guides the children with encouragement, routine and a sense of safety and concern. She is focused on each child’s needs, and her teaching style keeps her students engaged in their learning. Lisa has been a facilitator at Professional Development Day in her District. Her peers look to her for guidance on classroom enrichment. She continues to learn about educating young children and enjoys studying new theories on child guidance and enacting those she believes will improve the abilities of her students.

Y-Nhi Huynh

Y-Nhi was nominated as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher and she now teaches the same children in her new role as Kindergarten teacher at KinderCare center #301507 in Mountain View, California. Step into Y-Nhi’s classroom and you will see evidence of learning everywhere. She demonstrates a strong fidelity to our curriculum and addresses every child’s individual needs and learning styles. The children in her class brim with confidence and a real love of learning. Y-Nhi also mentors other teachers and offers suggestions to them very respectfully and professionally. She has been with KinderCare for more than five years.

Valarie Johnson

Valarie teaches Pre-Kindergarten at CCLC’s Prodigy Child Development Center in Austin, Texas. She has been with CCLC for ten years. Valarie’s ease with the children is apparent, and the love the children have for her is constantly displayed. Valarie’s classroom is described as being saturated with developmentally appropriate activities for her children. She has a strong relationship with parents and provides feedback in a positive manner that ensures retention. She exudes professionalism and wants the same for all of those around her.

Barbara Skinner

Barbara teaches the Pre-Kindergarten class at KinderCare center #301228 in Sunrise, Florida. Barbara’s classroom is part of the Florida Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) program. As a testament to Barbara’s effectiveness in the classroom, the school readiness scores for children in her class have been among the highest in the entire Florida VPK program. Barbara is also the Staff Trainer for her center and mentors new teachers. She is approachable and eager to work with other teachers to help improve the lives of the children at the center. Barbara has been with KinderCare for seven years.

Christy Sullivan

Christy is the Two’s teacher at KinderCare center #300530 in Huber Heights, Ohio. She has been with KinderCare for more than 27 years. Christy has an exemplary history of addressing each child’s learning style, as well as each child’s particular needs and background. Christy’s children adore her, and she helps set a real foundation of learning and development for all of the children in her care.