Jennifer Paschal

With over 35 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, my journey began in 1989 as a toddler teacher—a role I eagerly pursued, driven by the belief that teachers are true heroes. My passion for nurturing young minds led me to a transformative opportunity early on: I was selected for the pilot program of Zell Miller’s Georgia Pre-K initiative. This took me to Macon, GA, where I participated in the Lead Teacher Training Program (LTTP) and developed a deep understanding of the critical role ECE providers play in kindergarten readiness.
Building on that foundation, I earned a range of credentials, including the CCP Child Care Professional Credential, Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, (NAC) National Administrator Credential, and a BA in Business and Human Resources. I also obtained a Coaching Credential to further enhance my leadership and mentoring abilities. These qualifications paved the way for my advancement into director roles and multi-site leadership, where I work with acquisitions and operated schools across nine states in various educational settings—from private schools and corporate preschools to individually owned institutions and franchise academies.
In addition to my operational roles, I have proudly served on the board of the Georgia Childcare Association for over 10 years, contributing to the broader dialogue on best practices and standards within the field. I believe that the work we do with young learners is essential, as it ignites their love of learning and lays the groundwork for lifelong success.
Today, as the Executive Director of Operations for a large preschool group, I remain committed to inspiring others and advancing quality early childhood education.