Center Spotlight: Mrs. Andrea & Mrs. Kay
Mrs. Andrea Powers will retire from the Becky Gates Children’s Center on August 31, 2023 after 25 years of service. Mrs. Andrea knew from a young age that she would pursue a career in teaching through babysitting and her passion of working with children. She began her teaching career at Humpty Dumpty Daycare taking care of infants. She moved her teaching journey to a mother’s day out program where she stayed for 19 years while running an in-home after school care at the same time. In 1997, she began working with juveniles at Hamilton State School where she stayed for a year. The original assistant director reached out to Andrea to apply as an infant teacher as she was hiring staff for the opening of the center. In 1998, Mrs. Andrea was hired as an original employee at the Texas A&M University Children’s Center which is now known as the Becky Gates Children’s Center. During her time at BGCC she made a large impact across several generations of students and families. Once the center opened, she began as an infant teacher in the Butterflies classroom and will finish with the youngest age currently available in the 12-24 months old Gig ‘Em classroom.
Mrs. Andrea shared that working at BGCC has blessed her in many ways. She described her time here as exciting, rewarding, touching and wonderful. These experiences have allowed her to learn and become an attentive grandmother to her grandchildren. She also shared that she has met many wonderful people including: the sweet families and little ones that will forever stay in her heart, amazing friends that will last a lifetime and her daughter-in-law. Her favorite memory is when Barbara Bush came to visit and brought the Secret Service. She explained how unique the experience was and how good of a time everyone had just enjoying the company.
During retirement she plans to travel, enjoy her grandchildren and work in the garden. She intends to keep BGCC incorporated into her future by working part-time or substituting in the classrooms when available. Mrs. Andrea leaves us by encouraging everyone to have fun and enjoy the children.
Mrs. Kay Myers will retire from the Becky Gates Children’s Center on June 30, 2023 after just shy of 17 years of service. Growing up, Mrs. Kay discovered a passion for children which led her to pursue a teaching career. She began as a teaching assistant for two years in physical education for 3rd-5th grade and three years as an educator for children with special needs in Houston, Texas. She pursued her teaching certificate at Blinn, attending night school while working as a full-time preschool school teacher at Head Start in Navasota. She stayed in Navasota for 11 years before discovering a job posting for a full-time position at the Becky Gates Children’s Center through a mutual friend. Mrs. Kay remained teaching preschool for her full term at BGCC, teaching in the classrooms: Seahorses, Dolphins, Tigers and 12th Man.
Mrs. Kay explained that this has been a great opportunity to learn and grow as a teacher. She described her time as fun and enjoyable having the ability to watch the children learn and grow as much as she did herself. Mrs. Kay shared that these experiences have opened her life up to diversity and provided the opportunity to learn and explore other cultures. Her favorite memories included sharing and exploring international dishes shared by families. This experience gave her exposure to cultural meals and allowed her to enjoy the unique food being brought.
During retirement she plans to travel, enjoy time with her grandchildren and take her boat out to the lake. She intends to come visit BGCC and use what knowledge she gained in the classroom while she cares for her grandchildren. Mrs. Kay leaves us by encouraging everyone to be consistent, set boundaries and have fun.
