McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

BY Sarah Hasan | January 18, 2016

A woman wearing glasses and a suit is smiling in front of a flag.

Sim Loh is a family partnership coordinator at Children’s Village, a nationally-accredited Keystone 4 STARS early learning and school-age enrichment program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, serving about 350 children. She supports children and families, including non-English speaking families of immigrant status, by ensuring equitable access to education, health, employment, and legal information and resources on a day-to-day basis. She is a member of the Children First Racial Equity Early Childhood Education Provider Council, a community member representative of Philadelphia School District Multilingual Advisory Council, and a board member of Historic Philadelphia.


Sim explains, “I ensure families know their rights and educate them on ways to speak up for themselves and request for interpretation/translation services. I share families’ stories and experiences with legislators and decision-makers so that their needs are understood. Attending Leadership Connections will help me strengthen and grow my skills in all domains by interacting with and hearing from experienced leaders in different positions. With newly acquired skills, I seek to learn about the systems level while paying close attention to the accessibility and barriers of different systems and resources and their impacts on young children and their families.”

This document may be printed, photocopied, and disseminated freely with attribution. All content is the property of the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership.

Six years ago when I graduated with a Bachelors in Human Resource Management, I was glad to be finally ‘DONE’ with school. And, I had no plans to return. Until recently, I have been content with where I am today. I am blessed to work at a place where I have learned and experienced so much. I have discovered skills that I never knew I had.


But I came to realize the importance of continuing education. The credibility that comes with completing a graduate degree, in addition to the increased chance for a promotion or raise, was only part of what lured me back. My biggest motivation was my daughter. I wanted to become a role model for her, just like my mother is for me. I wanted her be proud of me and my accomplishments. And then I realized the longer I delayed returning to school, the more difficult the return would get.


So, I decided it was time for me to rediscover my strengths and add to my skills to further my professional career. I started a Master’s degree program at National Louis University (NLU). The decision to go back to school wasn’t easy. My tuition was covered through NLU, so I didn’t have much of a financial burden. However, I was nervous about whether I would be able to balance family, work, and professional studies. I had long conversations with myself. To help with my decision, I wrote down the pros and cons of going back to school. While there were many significant pros (as you will see below), I was not able to come up with any meaningful cons.


  1. Continuing education extends your qualifications. Whether you are a center director, family child care provider, trainer, technical assistance specialist, or teacher, you will gain knowledge and practical training that will help you master your responsibilities. Having a degree is always a plus; it provides a competitive edge.
  2. Continuing education demonstrates success. It shows employers your motivation, desire to be successful, and aspiration to gain professional development.
  3. Continuing education builds your confidence.When you have more knowledge of a topic, you are able to speak confidently and make more thoughtful decisions.
  4. Continuing education polishes your skills and helps to rediscover other skills such as public speaking and writing. You will learn from experts in the field who will share their experience and knowledge, giving you insights to the real world.
  5. Continuing education helps you to become a better team player. Typically, classes involve group projects and assignments. Determining how to divide the workload and assign tasks will help you identify your leadership skills and how to improve collaboration with others.


These are just some of the many pros to continuing education that I have personally experienced. I never would have thought I would be able to write a blog post because writing doesn’t come naturally for me. Yet, it was writing research papers for my coursework that gave me the confidence to do so.


Now that I have successfully completed my first semester with only one year left until I graduate, I am so glad that I returned to school. Meeting people outside of work and family is so important for professional and personal growth. It also helps you expand your social network, exposes you to diverse ideas, and provides opportunities to meet people within the same field. So far, the entire experience has been very enriching and rewarding. I strongly believe that, if there is an opportunity, everyone should continue their education—be it through formal or informal education.


  • When considering a significant commitment such as continuing formal education or long-term educational opportunities, take into account the following factors:
  • Determine what will hold your interest for months and possibly years.
  • Make sure you are ready to invest time and commit to the program.
  • Ensure that you have a support system of family, friends, or co-workers to help you through this major life change.
  • Weigh your financial situation before making a decision.
  • Explore financial supports.


Looking for an early childhood leadership career pathway? The McCormick Center provides options to take select professional learning opportunities for undergraduate or graduate college credits. See how.

Sarah Hasan is an ExceleRate Office Manager at the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University. Prior to working at the McCormick Center, Sarah worked at RR Donnelley & Sons as a Human Resource Assistant. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Human Resource Management and Development at National Louis University.

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Building Community Partnerships for Lasting Impact

By Cara Murdoch and Sherry Rocha • December 12, 2025
By Cara Murdoch and Sherry Rocha Community collaborations can strengthen your early childhood program, expand services for families, and increase your visibility and credibility as a trusted resource in the community. But effective partnerships don’t begin with a phone call—they start with a plan. Start with internal planning Before reaching out to community members or organizations, gather insights from your internal team. Hold a brief planning meeting to discuss goals, identify needs, and build a shared vision for collaboration. Consider including: Members of your board of directors or advisory board Program staff members Interested family members and parents of enrolled children. REVISIT your mission and goals A clear, shared understanding of your program’s purpose will guide effective partnerships. Before reaching out to community members or organizations, gather insights from your internal team. Hold a brief planning meeting to discuss goals, identify needs, and build a shared vision for collaboration. Consider including: What is your mission? What strengths and expertise do we bring to the community? What challenges do our enrolled families face? What support or resources would be most helpful? What can we offer potential partners in return? Clarity about these questions will ensure that your outreach to community members and organizations is focused and meaningful. Learn about local resources Begin exploring the services and organizations that exist in your community. These may become valuable referral partners or direct collaborators. Examples include: Early intervention services Family support agencies Mental health providers Multilingual tax-preparation volunteers Knowing these resources helps you connect families with the help they need. share your space and services Your early childhood center may be a valuable asset for other groups. Consider offering your space to other programs or groups to strengthen your role as a community hub. Possibilities include: Scouting America or Girl Scout meetings Parenting workshops or support groups Health screenings or nutrition programs Community committee meetings participate in community events Raising visibility in your community opens doors to partnership. Become involved in: Neighborhood clean-up days Local fairs or festivals Library literacy events Cultural celebrations School district events These types of interactions naturally build trust and relationships. build and expand your network Partnerships often begin with small conversations or shared goals. Stay curious and connected—the more people you meet, the more opportunities arise. Potential collaborators include: Museums Public libraries Human services departments Colleges and universities Local schools Cooperative Extension services Hospitals and clinics Banks and financial advisors Mental health agencies Early intervention programs Remember: partnerships are mutually beneficial Successful collaborations are built on: Clear communication Shared goals Appreciation for each other’s strengths A commitment to supporting families and the community Whether the support you receive is financial, advisory, or educational, strong partnerships help everyone thrive. A final thought Community partnerships don’t happen overnight. With the proper planning, your early childhood program can become a powerful and connected resource in your neighborhood. Start small, stay open to ideas, and let relationships grow.
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