Areli Lopez-Hernandez

Growing up, I was always interested in working with children. Whenever there were kids around, I would take it upon myself to care for them. Then, when I was in high school in Topeka, Kansas, someone came to talk to our class about earning college credits through the Washburn Institute of Technology.

It sounded like a great opportunity, so I went on a campus tour. Originally, I was planning to enroll in nursing courses with the goal of becoming a neonatal nurse (a nurse that works with newborn babies). But during the tour, we saw the daycare facilities, and I knew that’s where I was meant to be.

At Washburn Tech, I got the education I needed, and today I’m an early education teacher at Building Blocks, which is a childcare center for Stormont Vail Health employees. In this position, I work with infants until they turn one year old and help them reach their monthly milestones. The biggest moment for them is learning how to walk — it's always amazing to see that accomplishment! 

I love interacting with babies and especially appreciate how grateful the parents are for my work. Parents are happy to know their kids are in a safe, happy environment and learning well. While the kids I work with might not remember me, I know I’m making a difference in their lives, and their parents are grateful.

When it comes to the future, my career goals have recently shifted. For a long time, I thought I wanted to start my own daycare center, but I realized that would entail a lot of administrative tasks and ultimately take me away from time with the kids. Being with children and impacting their day-to-day lives is the most important thing for me, so I’m content where I am.

Working with kids is truly a privilege. If you’re ready to be an advocate and help people develop, it’s a rewarding career, so you should give child care a try!