12 Questions: Suzy Yu, Lead Early Care Educator/Assistant Site Supervisor, Epiphany Parent-Child Center
Suzy Yu, Lead Early Care Educator/Assistant Site Supervisor, Epiphany Parent-Child Center goes above and beyond to nurture and guide the little ones as they grow.
When did you start working at Epiphany Center and how did you come to work here?
I came to Epiphany Center in August 2013. I was looking to move forward in my career and someone recommended Sister Fran Kearney to me. I looked into Epiphany Center and reached out to Sister Fran who formerly oversaw the Parent-Child Center. That is when I learned about the agency’s values of respect, compassionate care, advocacy, and simplicity, all tied together with inventiveness to infinity.
What did you study in school?
Fresh out of high school, I went to City College of San Francisco (CCSF) to study nursing. But I didn’t want my parents to pay for my schooling, so I got a job as a janitor in a nursery school. Instead of coming in after the children and their families left, I found myself arriving earlier and earlier and as I played, read, and painted with the children. After two months of working there, the owner and director of the school came and offered me a job as an aide. This is when I shifted my study from nursing to child development. A decision I never regretted.
What did you do before you joined Epiphany Center?
Before coming to Epiphany Center, I was the site supervisor for the infant department of Children’s Compass Center. There I worked with families who were fighting to get off the street and into real housing. I was a mentor teacher with the CA Mentor Program, coaching students from CCSF and SFSU as my interns.
I imagine there is no typical day for you, but can you describe, say, a day last week?
One day last week we were working on introducing the color red and the shape of a circle to the children. We asked the children to paint red with brushes onto a large circle. Then at the table, we dotted red onto smaller circles. We also introduced the fruit papaya for the children to see, feel, smell, hear, and taste for the first time. They ate it all up! We also learned about using kind and gentle hands with our friends and to ask for “space” from each other if we are starting to feel overwhelmed. We are also learning to initiate cooperative play with each other. It was a warm day, so we had fun spraying our own individual spray bottle into the air and watching the water fall back down to the earth. A day of fun, learning and growing!
What is one of your favorite memories of working here?
My favorite memories are the memories of watching the children reach the next level in their development. Seeing them take that step to free walking. Watching them finally cut with the scissors that they have been trying to cut for weeks. Observing them learn their routine of simply taking off their own shoes and socks and then successfully placing all their belongings into their own cubby. Noticing as they follow all the steps in washing their hands correctly, down to tossing their soiled towel into the trash can. I live for these moments in time.
Compared to other places that you’ve worked, what do you particularly like about working at Epiphany Center?
The bonding and the connection I have been able to make with the mothers and fathers as we work together in partnership to help the children grow to their full potential. I also like that we have a mental health specialist, play therapy specialist, and medical staff on site for when I have questions or concerns. Together, we all work for the benefit of all the children.
Dr. Clem treats a client in Epiphany’s Pediatric Clinic.
How has the pandemic impacted the families and toddlers you serve?
I believe the hardest part of the pandemic was when toddlers had to stay indoors. Children need outside time. They need fresh air and a place to move their body as they discover how to move their bodies. Families need outside to breath in the fresh air and to soak in the sunshine. I think that was the most difficult part for them…. being isolated from the rest of the world.
How has COVID-19 impacted your and your teachers’ work?
Toddlers enjoying the outdoors in Epiphany’s play yard.
I am a strong believer that children need to see your lips to know how to form the words they want to say. They also need to hear the words clearly so they can mimic those words back to us. Wearing the mask is to keep myself and everyone around me safe, but I worry about the impact this will have on the development of the speech that the children will use as they grow older.
Teaching toddlers appears to require 110% of your energy and focus. How do you take care of yourself when your job requires that you spend so much energy caring for others?
There are three things I do that give me the strength to be me again. Music. I sing and get lost in the music. Books. I read to escape into a different world. Journaling. I write to get the story out of my head so it can flow down the tip of my pen.
What keeps you inspired? What makes your work rewarding?
The best reward I receive is being allowed the privilege to watch as the children reach the milestones of their achievement in their growth.
Of all the agency values, which one do you enjoy practicing the most?
If I am to be honest, I have to use all the values in my work. I must respect the children and the families. Respect is earned and I want to earn the respect of the children in my care. I offer compassionate care as I nurture and guide the children to achieve their own growth and future hope. I must use advocacy if I am to ensure the children get the things they will need to achieve their goals. And deep down, it is the love of inventive to infinity that fuels me to be the best I can be for the children so they can be the best they can be.
Do you have anything else to add?
I am honored to be part of the values of Epiphany Center. It fills me with pride that I am part of the work that helps the women and the children to move forward and overcome the troubles they have faced.
Suzy, we are so fortunate to have you on Epiphany’s team!
Your dedication and compassion set our little ones up for successful, happy, healthy tomorrows.
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