2700 WEST 15TH STREET  PLANO, TEXAS 75075
(P) 469.752.8100  (F) 469.752.8096  WWW.PISD.EDU
For immediate release:
Media contacts:
Lesley Range-Stanton, Plano Independent School District, 469.752.8094
Nancy B. Long, APR, Plano Independent School District, 469.752.8147
Employee Child Care Center Coordinator & Staff Brighten
Lives
(Plano, TX, June 7, 2010) — Plano ISD's Employee Child Care Center Coordinator Stacie Kaeuper
and her staff enjoy calling and e-mailing the parents of the 102 infants and toddlers served at the
center "just to let them know how their babies are doing and to brighten their day," she said. "One
of our main goals is for parents to be comfortable in the knowledge that their children are well cared
for," she said. Ms. Kaeuper and a team of 16 full-time employees plus several "floaters," stay-athome moms and college students studying to become teachers, care for employees' children at the
center, which opened two years ago with the goal to help attract and retain quality teachers in Plano
ISD.
Prior to being appointed the center's coordinator, Stacie taught for 10 years at Bethany and Wyatt
elementary schools, (where she was voted Beginning Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Year,
respectively, by her peers), and she served three years as a zone leader for PASAR, Plano ISD's
after-school care program. PASAR Director Arlene Carnes serves as Stacie's director.
The Employee Child Care Center serves children (ages infant through four years old) of employees
who work at 42 Plano ISD campuses. Enrollment is for full-time employees who are responsible for
instruction on the campus. The children receive lots of "one-on-one" attention, noted Stacie, who
describes the center with words like "nurturing, fun, caring, exciting, messy, playful" and says that
she always expects the unexpected.
"The center is a great place to come to work every day," said Stacie. "Moms and dads hang out and
talk daily and plan many get togethers and birthday parties for their children, because they work for
the same organization and they feel connected. There's a high trust level because of the center's
reputation. Parents hear great things and want their children enrolled. "The children are excited to
be here," she continued. "We're just one big, happy family."
Stacie, who grew up in Naperville, Illinois, and whose family moved to the Dallas area when she
was a high school senior, attended Stephen F. Austin State University. There, she found her calling
to teach. "As a child, I was into art and anything artistic. I didn't realize until college that I would
become ecstatic about education."
As a zone leader in Program PASAR, Stacie heard the first words about the new center and her fire
was fueled. "I thought to myself, 'This is exactly what I want to do,'" she said. She and Arlene
Carnes then attended training and conducted extensive research before the center opened. "We took
all the best practices and implemented them for Plano ISD," she said.
2700 WEST 15TH STREET  PLANO, TEXAS 75075
(P) 469.752.8100  (F) 469.752.8096  WWW.PISD.EDU
Since the center opened in August, 2008, Stacie is most proud of the fact that, for the past year,
parents have been offered the "Readystart Early Childhood Intervention" developmental screenings
for their children. "This is a brief, play-based tool that looks at six areas of development," she said.
"Communication, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem solving/cognition, social-emotional
development and self-help skills."
Parents, Stacie said, receive free sessions related their child's assessment and recommendations for
further evaluation for their children, if necessary. The center's staff receives free trainings toward
their clock hours for license requirements. "It's been a win-win process for everyone - the child, the
parents and our staff," said Stacie.
Quotes About Stacie
"Stacie is a strong compassionate leader. She has a genuine passion for children. She knows each
one of the children at the center as if they part of her family. Her staff believes in her and the
mission she has set forth for the center. The staff follows her lead with trust and enthusiasm. The
parents served through the center have the utmost confidence in her abilities and love the family
atmosphere. Stacie's 10 years as an elementary school teacher & team leader have given her the
skills to make the childcare much more than simple care. Stacie has developed a curriculum for
each of her age levels. The children are being supported to meet developmental mile-stones and will
be prepared for kindergarten!"
Dr. Cathy Galloway
Executive Director, Student & Family Services
"Stacie Kaeuper is many things, she is first the child's advocate, she loves children, and puts her
heart into everything she does. Stacie's experience in the classroom makes her the perfect person to
interface with the parents and staff at the Child Care Center."
Arlene Carnes, Director
Program PASAR
"My husband and I truly value the leadership Stacie exhibits at the Plano ECCC. Our son, Liam,
absolutely LOVES to get up and go each morning; that is a true testament to Stacie's guidance. It is
great to see our 23 month old already loving to learn!"
Kimberly and Jason Parker, Third Grade Teacher
Hunt Elementary School
"For a mother, one of the most difficult decisions is who can I trust to take care of my child. You
feel guilt, and sadness when you walk away leaving them even for a few minutes. It is reassuring to
know that Stacie understands these feelings and works from the heart; treating each little person in
her charge as a little piece of heaven. I know my child is in loving capable hands each day because
of Stacie's dedication and guidance."
Mindy May, Fifth Grade Teacher
Saigling Elementary School
"Stacie has been so wonderful with my son Jackson. She welcomes him into her office whenever he
barges in (he is two and doesn't know the meaning of knocking yet), and always has a smile on her
2700 WEST 15TH STREET  PLANO, TEXAS 75075
(P) 469.752.8100  (F) 469.752.8096  WWW.PISD.EDU
face. She doesn't just run the center, she knows Jackson and shares stories about him with me when
I pick him up. She is friendly and always available for the parents. I am so happy with Stacie and
the center that I am excited to have my new daughter Avery start in the fall. Whenever I hear of
someone on the staff start talking about babies I am quick to suggest that they get their name on the
waiting list at the center. I know they will be as happy as I am if they can get their child into the
center."
Jennifer Hillier, Second Grade Teacher
Jackson Elementary School
"Ms. Kaeuper's caring and nurturing demeanor is truly apparent as she greets all her students by
their first name daily. She always has a warm, welcoming smile for everyone at the center. She is an
exceptional individual who creates a positive and inviting atmosphere that children don't want to
leave."
Ben D. Benavides, Assistant Principal
Carpenter Middle School
"Stacie sets a wonderful tone for the daycare center. I have always known that our son was loved
and cared for by the staff at the daycare center. That love of children starts at the top with Stacie
and percolates through the rest of the center."
Matt Cone, Social Studies Department Chair
Plano Senior High School
"When I was in the fifth grade, Ms. Kaeuper placed high expectations on us, encouraging us to read,
write and think on a high level. She has a gift of seeing the potential in a young student and giving
the student a foundation upon which to build and to teach us forever. Her commitment to our
learning and performing with top-quality work proved that, if she could, she would see through the
rest of our education and watch as we further expanded our abilities."
Samantha Crovella, Former Student
Salutatorian, Propsper High School Class of 2010
About Plano Independent School District
The Plano Independent School District (Plano ISD) – http://www.pisd.edu/ – endeavors to foster the
highest level of student learning. The mission of Plano ISD is to provide an excellent education for
all students. Plano ISD is located 20 miles north of Dallas, Texas and serves the residents of
approximately 100 square miles in southwest Collin County, including 66 square miles in the city of
Plano, northern portions of the cities of Dallas and Richardson and parts of the cities of Allen,
Parker and Murphy. Plano ISD employs 7,000 faculty and staff members who serve more than
55,000 students in 70 schools and 11 service facilities. Participating in Plano ISD schools enables
students to adapt to new learning opportunities throughout their lives, collaborate with, and
contribute to, the global community and to be creative and disciplined in their thinking.
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