Four years ago this summer, I accepted my position as executive director of the Collaboration for Early Childhood here in Oak Park. In what feels like a very short amount of time later, life has moved me toward my next pursuit. It has been a full season of love and laughter, care and concern, hard work and tough times, all wrapped into a poignant experience that revolves around the lives and futures of our youngest children.
I can think of no greater privilege than to be the person who brings children into a room. I am very grateful to have been able to do that for this community.
I sat for some time trying to decide which words could best capture the breadth of my experience as a leader in this work, and I found that words came up short. There isn’t enough space on this page to describe the beauty of this journey.
If we have ever shared a space, you know that I will always consider myself a preschool teacher. So I would like to put on my early childhood hat and handle things the way we do in the classroom: with pictures. Here are some visual highlights of my Oak Park journey.
It has been my great honor to serve in this role as a voice for children and a representative of our community and I thank you all for your partnership!
I go on to my next opportunity with pride for what we have accomplished in this time and I am thrilled to know that I am leaving the Collaboration at a time when they are strong, secure, engaged and focused on the future of our children.
I invite you all to get closer to the Collaboration and see some of the magic that I know will characterize the years to come.
John B0rrero
Collaboration for Early Childhood
