Jenn's Story: A Journey from Business to Early Childhood Education

Jenn Ashmore didn’t originally envision a career in early childhood education, but life had other plans. With a business degree from SAIT, she expected to follow a different path. However, after moving to Fox Creek and starting a family, she found herself drawn to working with young children. “I started volunteering at the school, and then it was just kind of a transition that happened pretty easily,” she recalls. “I subbed at the school for a little while and then got a position as the playschool teacher here.”

Realizing she wanted to deepen her knowledge, Jenn enrolled in the Early Learning and Child Care Certificate program at Northern Lakes College (NLC) in January 2022, then completed her Early Learning and Child Care Diploma in June 2024. “I had my Level 1 already, but once I started working as a playschool teacher, I decided to go for my certificate and diploma while I was working,” she explains. This decision ultimately brought her to Level 3 certification in Early Childhood Education, allowing her to expand her career options.

After completing her diploma, Jenn transitioned from teaching to a family literacy role at the Community Resource Center. The knowledge she gained at NLC prepared her well for this shift. “I think the child development courses were especially helpful,” she says. “First-time parents often second-guess everything, and I get to reassure them that they’re doing everything right. It’s not about pushing academics too early - kids learn through play.” Jenn also found that her education gave her credibility in the community. “Knowing that I have that background helps parents trust what I’m saying,” she notes.

Juggling school, work, and family life wasn’t always easy, but Jenn approached it with determination. “The biggest challenge was just managing my time - working full time, having a big family, and going to school full time,” she admits. “I made myself a schedule and reminded myself that it wasn’t forever. It was just two years, and I could do this.” She credits her husband, children, and friends for their unwavering support, as well as the encouraging faculty at NLC. “I’ve never had such supportive instructors. They were amazing.”

Jenn found the experience so rewarding that her son, who initially pursued an education degree, decided to switch to NLC’s Early Learning and Child Care program. “He was working at our daycare and realized he really prefers working with younger kids,” she shares. “He feels like he can make more of a difference there.”

For anyone considering early childhood education, Jenn has simple advice: “Just do it. If making a difference in a kid’s life is what you want, the schooling will never be a waste of time.” She encourages students, especially those in rural areas, to take advantage of online learning opportunities. “You can do it from home, which saves so much money. My son moved away for school, but the cost of living was so high he had to come back. Studying locally just makes sense.”