"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." – Jane Goodall As I bring my career to a close, I find myself reflecting not only on the years that have passed, but on the people, places, and purpose that shaped my professional journey. It has been a privilege to serve the early childhood education community, and I am filled with gratitude for the relationships, growth, and shared mission that defined my work. My time at the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University has been deeply rewarding. Since joining in 2007, I’ve worn many hats — from Assessor to Training Specialist to my final role as Quality Supports and Evaluation Manager. Throughout it all, I’ve been fortunate to work with a team of dedicated professionals who believe, as I do (and learned from Paula Jorde Bloom), that leadership rooted in quality can transform the lives of children and families, “Leadership is not a position. It’s a disposition — a way of being.” Paula Jorde Bloom Over the years, I had the honor of helping others grow into their roles — whether that meant guiding assessors to reliability on Program Administration Scale (PAS) and Business Administration Scale (BAS) , co-creating training materials, or leading professional development sessions for directors, consultants, and educators. My work as a national anchor and trainer has taken me across Illinois and beyond, where I’ve been inspired by the resilience, insight, and compassion of those working in the field. Before my time at the McCormick Institute, I was privileged to serve in various leadership positions — at the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, Joliet CCR&R, and as co-owner of Bright Ideas Children’s Center. Each chapter brought new challenges and new joys, but the thread that tied them all together was a simple belief: children deserve our best, and so do the adults who care for them. "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." – Maya Angelou I’d like to thank my colleagues — past and present — for your friendship, support, and shared wisdom. I am especially grateful to those who challenged me to keep learning, those who trusted me with their own growth, and those who reminded me daily why this work matters. As I step into retirement, I carry with me not just the lessons learned, but the hearts touched. To those I've mentored, assessed, trained, or simply stood beside — thank you. I hope our paths crossed in a way that left you encouraged and empowered. "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." – Dr. Seuss Though I will no longer be in the field day-to-day, I remain an advocate at heart. My career has been one of service, and I step away proud of the difference we’ve made together. With appreciation and hope, Paula Steffen