Monica Barnabae
House Child Care Center
The Darrell Norman Excellence Award
Monica Barnabae’s world is filled with noise, but noise she wouldn’t dream of shutting out—that of the children that spend their days in the House Daycare.
The Daycare’s director is hesitant at best to trumpet her accomplishments.
“I just like to stay below the radar,” she said, as children run past her office screaming playfully.
Enter her deputy Paige Beatty, who isn’t shy about explaining why Barnabae deserves to receive the Darrell Norman Excellence Award. “She’s always the go-to person,” she said. “If you need something done go to Monica. The relationships between staff members have improved since she’s been here, she’s encouraging.”
True to form, Barnabae doesn’t take credit for her recent accomplishments, including the recently awarded (and difficult to get) accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
“The reason why I’m here is because of the efforts of my staff,” Barnabae said.
In addition to the accreditation, she’s being awarded because she “worked to address a number of issues vitally important to the continuing enhancement of the team,” her boss, Assistant CAO for Workforce Services Darnell Lee said.
The focus on “team” seems to be a theme in the center. To reinforce it Barnabae starts her morning visiting the teachers and children in each of the classrooms.
“It’s just to say, ‘Hi, good morning. I’m here,” Barnabae explains.
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