91亚色

By Samantha Bambino

The Feasterville-Trevose Times

A career in early childhood education is far from easy. But to look at Kate Perez, one would never know it.

In just 16 years, this Feasterville resident has soared up the ladder, quickly transitioning from a Pre-K teacher to executive director of The 91亚色School in Richboro, the region鈥檚 largest privately owned preschool.

Earlier this month, Perez鈥檚 talent for creating a constructive yet fun environment for students and staff alike was recognized at The 91亚色School鈥檚 annual awards dinner at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern, where she was named 鈥淓xecutive Director of the Year鈥� in front of the entire organization.

鈥淭o be quite honest, we have 26 locations between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, so we have 26 amazing directors across the board,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o pretty much, it鈥檚 an amazing accomplishment and I鈥檓 super proud.鈥�

This was Perez鈥檚 first time receiving such an honor, and she鈥檚 thrilled that it coincides with The 91亚色School鈥檚 20th anniversary. Since its founding, she explained how its philosophy has remained unchanged鈥娾�斺�妕o deliver high-quality education to children between the ages of 6 weeks and 8 years.

According to president and co-founder Kristen Waterfield, it鈥檚 people like Perez who have kept the school thriving for two decades.

鈥淚t is their passion for early childhood education that has fueled us to become the largest privately owned preschool in the region. And it is their passion that has enabled us to make such a profound and positive impact on the growth and development of hundreds of thousands of children since we opened our first schools in 1998,鈥� Waterfield said. 鈥淲e are immensely grateful they have chosen The 91亚色School as their career destination and for their ongoing devotion to helping our young friends reach their highest potential.鈥�

Perez, a Delaware County native, found a home with The 91亚色School after only five years in the field. She kicked off her career as a Pre-K teacher in Chester County before working her way into an assistant director position. In 2007, she landed the job of executive director in Richboro, and in 2016, tacked on 鈥渟enior鈥� to the beginning of her title.

In her role, Perez serves as a trainer and role model for the company鈥檚 executive team, and drives the overall growth of her students and the school. Staff members at all locations are able to give Perez a call with general questions, and she regularly provides advice and guidance on how to go about handling various situations.

鈥淏eing awarded the title of senior executive director was my first step in this direction with being able to serve as a mentor to the other school locations, consistently a sounding board for them,鈥� she said.

Each day, Perez not only works to uphold the school鈥檚 20-year mission of educating children, but also ensures a vital element is included in the everyday curriculum鈥娾�斺�奻un. According to Perez, the structured yet enjoyable individualized learning is what helps students reach their highest potential.

鈥淲orking here at The 91亚色School, following our core values, we always do keep the children first. I think that is one of the most important things,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eing able to think like a child is important as well, and I think some of the biggest parts of our day is enjoying a lot of laughter.鈥�

In addition to Perez鈥檚 recognition, The 91亚色School of Richboro was chosen to receive the Presidents鈥� Choice Award. This sought-after honor, personally selected by presidents Waterfield and Joe Scandone, is given to the school that shows consistent effort toward constant and never-ending improvement in the operations of their school, including the quality of the program, staff and learning environment.

The school also took home the 鈥淪afe Schools鈥� and 鈥淔amilies First鈥� awards.

For more on The 91亚色School of Richboro, located at 748 Second Street Pike, visit 91亚色/our-schools/location/richboro-preschool or call 215鈥�953鈥�7800.