LaTrecia Thornton

Director, Della Lamb Early Learning Center

LaTrecia Thornton is a lifelong resident of Kansas City, Missouri. A proud graduate of the Kansas City Missouri School District, she is living her lifelong dream of giving back to the communities that has given so much to her.

A wife of 24 years and a mother of 5, LaTrecia, has been in Early Childhood for many years. From helping afterschool in her Grandmother’s Day Care, to now, being a part of the amazing Early Childhood team at Della Lamb. LaTrecia is a strong, longtime advocate for Early Education.

Standing on the belief all children can learn, LaTrecia is a firm supporter of the Whole Child Approach to learning and the principle, children learn best through exploration and hands on experiences. She believes quality care and academic development not only begins with fostering the intellectual domains of education, but the physical and social-emotional domains as well. Doing so increases excitement and engagement when learning, which in return, promotes lifelong learners.

You are an alumnus of public schools in Kansas City: what were your experiences in school? Who were your mentors or inspirations?

I graduated from Central Unlimited Computers/Classical Greek Magnet High School. This was in the age of Magnet Schools, hence the long name! I absolutely loved school from beginning to end! I remember almost every teacher and principal I had. I started Preschool at Bryant Elementary; my first teacher was Barbara Fulbright. The most important thing I learned from her is to read. The last time I saw her, she was still working in Preschool, at Woodland Early Learning Center. I met up with her again at Professional Developments for the school district we worked for – I loved seeing her knowing that she was the reason I was such a successful student. The foundation she set in my early, formative years, were an integral part of my development.

My favorite time of the year was springtime, basically because we had the “big” test. It used to be the ITBS test, sometime later, either in middle or high school Missouri began using the MAP test. I always did well, and I was in my own personal competition with my sister who was Gifted and Talented, so in my mind, I used her as motivation to do well on the tests.

In high school, I was quiet, but loved band! I wanted to try many things, sports, Pep Club, things like that, but being somewhat shy kept me from doing a lot of things if I couldn’t hide behind other people. I loved music and so most of my focus throughout those years were playing in the Marching and Jazz Bands.

All my teachers poured into me in some way or another. I was that student that teachers seemed to encourage a lot. Pulling me to the side, letting me know I was on a road of destiny and to make sure I didn’t let anyone sway me from that path. As I think back, I can see so many faces and hear so many encouraging words. All my teachers have a place in my heart and the lessons I learned from them, whether positive or negative were lessons well learned.

There is one person in particular that I remember as being especially inspirational: Audrey Bullard. She was the Vice Principal at Faxon Elementary. I loved to see Mrs. Bullard. She had a certain presence about her when she walked into a room. I can remember her, as she walked down the hallway. She seemed to just glide. I can remember the sound of lots of footsteps of different people, but not hers; it seemed as if she just floated in space.  I get these images of wind blowing as she glides through the halls, with her Nefertiti-like profile and her goddess-like presence. I remember thinking ‘she is somebody. I want to be like her when I grew up’.

There were other teachers throughout my career that would take time to mold me as a teacher. I was allowed to develop my craft, openly make mistakes, cry out of frustration and disappointment, and encouraged to go further, strive for more. These are the great people that I have always had behind me, walking next to, leading the way, and guiding me to where I am today. I continue to have a circle of people around me from different walks of life, different professions, different stages in life, careers, and journeys that I can talk to, bounce ideas off and pour wisdom into me. People I can be real with.

You are a past educator. Why did you decide to work in education and what inspired you to work in Pre-K / Early Childhood Education?

To be honest, I grew up with the expectations of becoming a doctor.  I literally plopped into the field of Early Education. Originally, I applied for a position in another school district as a Parent Educator. Reading the job description, it seemed like a position I would enjoy working in. When I got there, there seemed to be over 200 people going after the same position. Long story short, we were told there were limited positions available and most of them had already been filled. We were also told there were openings for Early Childhood if we wanted to apply. Having five children of my own, I thought ‘I’m okay,’ and I packed my things and began to walk out of the building. Someone that worked with my children in a summer program saw me and asked if I was applying to work in early childhood. I responded with a strong ‘no,’ but she grabbed me by the hand and plopped me in a chair in front of Gloria Hernandez. She proceeded to tell her about my children, and I would make an amazing PreK teacher, and the rest is history.

I was afraid of the littles when I got there, I knew how to work with my babies, but not necessarily any other children outside of church, PAC, or my family. But I was sold when after a year of helping a 3-year-old write the letter R she managed it, and she was so excited we both started crying! I owe a lot to my first year and taking a chance on a career I never thought I would work in. It’s hard to let it go now. I’ll be like Ms. Fulbright, working with my preschool students.

Why is Early Childhood Education so vital to the success of Kansas City?

Early Childhood Education is so vital to the success of Kansas City. Investing in children is investing in the future. Investing in early childhood interrupts the succession of intergenerational poverty, it strengthens the role of families, it helps to identify health, mental, and behavioral challenges earlier in life, which in return can be managed well into adulthood. It closes the achievement gap that plagues our education system today and it brings hope into communities where the hope seems to be lost.

What is the current focus of your work and Della Lamb / what are you most excited about in this work?

My current focus at Della Lamb is revitalization! We are looking forward to bringing new life to Della Lamb through learning, integrity, gratitude, health, and togetherness; in other words, being the L.I.G.H.T. in our community.

I am excited to accept the charge of getting Della Lamb’s name out into the community again. We are working hard to offer our young neighbors a quality education, by attracting quality teachers to our school. We are also working hard to be a place of support to our immediate family, and our family from abroad who are seeking peace, hope and refuge.

What are your aspirations for early childhood education in Kansas City? What is next for PreK in KC?

It is exciting to see all that is happening in the world of Early Childhood Education and finally having others recognize what educators in this field have known for a long time, is a dream come true.

My aspirations for early childhood education in Kansas City is for our city leaders to assure all children have access to a quality early start. Doing so will ensure bright futures, thriving communities and healthier adults.

What’s next for PreK in Kansas City? A generation of lifelong learners, empowered families, better schools, stronger communities.