Why I Chose This Path – And Would Choose It Again

 

I still remember my very first interview at a child care center. I was 18—young, unsure, and honestly, clueless about what I wanted to do with my life. I walked into a building in Goffstown, NH, nervous but full of excitement. The moment I stepped inside, I was met with a symphony of early childhood: babies crying, toddlers laughing, older children singing, and the familiar scent of sunscreen and children’s paint in the air.

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The director greeted me warmly and we walked upstairs to talk. After chatting for a while, she led me out to the playground. That’s when everything changed. The second I stepped onto that playground, my nerves melted away. The children ran up to me—eager to play, to share their space, to repeat my name over and over again (though most couldn’t quite get it right). For 30 unforgettable minutes, we built sandcastles, played tag, and just connected. I walked away from that interview knowing: this wasn’t just going to be a job—this was going to be something special.

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That center became the place where I cared for my very first group of infants. I built real relationships—with the babies and with their families. One little girl, Zoey, had been with me since she was just 8 weeks old. As the school year came to a close, her family was moving out of town. Saying goodbye to her wrecked me. I cried the whole day—and even harder when her mother picked her up. We hugged and cried together, two hearts that had been changed forever by one tiny human.

That was the moment I knew: this is what I was meant to do. To love. To nurture. To make an impact in the earliest, most important years of life.

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Over the years, I worked in a handful of different centers—some small, some large, all with different philosophies, procedures, and personalities. Some I loved. Some I didn’t. But in each one, I noticed something missing: an owner who was just as invested in the people—the teachers, the children, the families—as they were in the business itself.

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Every experience, good or bad, helped shape me into who I am today: a teacher, a director, and now, a business owner with a deep sense of purpose and heart.

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In 2015, the dream that had quietly taken root in my heart began to grow.

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I started planning The Learning Tree—brick by brick, binder by binder, budget by budget. It took a year and a half to build the space, write the handbooks, curate the curriculum, and scour every yard sale within a 30-mile radius to find quality materials. It was chaotic. It was exhausting. And it was everything I had dreamed of—and more.

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The Learning Tree officially opened its doors, and my vision came to life: a program built around real relationships, rich childhood experiences, and a supportive work environment where teachers could thrive and grow.

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Today, The Learning Tree is eight years strong—and I’ve never been prouder of what we’ve built. We’ve earned Licensed Plus status from the State of New Hampshire in those first years, certified our teachers with the State of New Hampshire and have been Eco-Healthy certified since day one.

 

But beyond the titles and certifications, what matters most is what we stand for:

• A lifelong love of learning in children

• A culture of support, growth, and celebration for teachers

• A warm, welcoming space for families to feel at home

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Sure, there have been missteps and challenges. But there have also been incredible wins, heartfelt moments, and a whole lot of learning along the way. And this is just the beginning. I look forward to expanding our program and continuing to raise the bar in early childhood education.

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If I had to do it all over again, I would—without hesitation. I believe in the magic of early childhood. I believe in the power of educators. And I believe in creating a space where everyone—children, teachers, and families—can feel supported, valued, and inspired to grow.

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Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

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With gratitude,
Adair Koralski

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