CDA AnnualReport 2024 - Flipbook - Page 28
From Mother to Educator
Keela’s passion for early
childhood education
For many educators, the journey into early childhood
education is deeply personal. Keela found her calling
after becoming a mother of three at just 24 years old.
Witnessing the need for high-quality child care, she set
a goal to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education,
determined to make a difference in young children’s
lives.
Her passion for teaching stems from the joy of seeing
children learn, grow, and thrive. “My favorite part of being
a preschool teacher is witnessing a child’s excitement when
they master a new skill,” she shared. “Creating enriched
environments that nurture their curiosity while providing
parents with peace of mind brings me a deep sense of
ful昀椀llment.”
However, she wishes for greater recognition of
the dedication, skill, and patience required in early
education. “Preschool teachers do more than supervise
children—we shape their early development, laying the
foundation for lifelong learning. It takes intentional planning,
deep understanding, and unwavering commitment to help
children thrive,” she explained.
As she works toward her Bachelor’s degree, 昀椀nancial
challenges have placed additional stress on her family.
Thanks to the Charles Tressler Memorial Scholarship,
she found relief and renewed motivation. “This
scholarship has eased the 昀椀nancial burden on my family
and given me hope,” she shared. “It allows me to focus on
my studies and brings me one step closer to achieving my
dream of owning a preschool and making a lasting impact
on children’s lives.”
She expressed deep gratitude to the donors who have
made this opportunity possible. “Your generosity extends
beyond 昀椀nancial assistance—it provides hope, opportunity,
and the encouragement to keep going. Thank you for
believing in students like me and for helping us build a
brighter future.”
CDA is honored to award the 2024-2025 Charlene
Tressler Memorial Scholarship to Keela to support her
career goals and unwavering determination to shape
the next generation—one child at a time. Thank you
Keela for your passion and commitment to create
positive change!
About:
The Charlene Tressler Memorial Scholarship was established to honor of CDA’s founder and Co-Executive Director
for 37 years, who dedicated her life to advancing high-quality early childhood education. A passionate leader in
the 昀椀eld, Charlene’s legacy continues through this scholarship, which supports students pursuing degrees in Early
Childhood Education or Child Development (ages 0-5). Designed to encourage the next generation of educators,
the scholarship is awarded to individuals committed to working in San Diego County as teachers or administrators
serving young children. Through this initiative, Charlene’s vision of providing exceptional early education for all
children lives on. The scholarship is administered by the San Diego Foundation.
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