Rachel Smith

Tonya graduated from University of Mn, Morris with an Business Economics major. She has 4 daughters whom has been a huge inspiration in her life. She has always wanted to own her business and provide a service to her community. Immediately, after having her oldest daughter she knew that building a loving, nurturing and safe environment for a child encouraged growth and development in so many ways. She proceeded to open up her own childcare business in 1995, for 17 years. During this time, She not only increased her knowledge base about early education by becoming a member of Mn. Family Childcare Association, African American Adoption Agency, and a Think Small participant she opened up her home to foster special need children. Tonya, completed 40 hours of courses at the William Mitchell Law school in order to become a guardian ad litem for Ramsey County Children Judicial system. This encounter encouraged her to adopt her special need daughter which made her family complete. Tonya took a break from childcare and worked for UPS as an administrative assistant in the department of Business Development for 8yrs and begun to see that her community was in great need of her services again. She moved on to take on an Assistant Center Director’s position for a year and decided that she wanted to provide a more inclusive, intimate and personal relationship with families in her community by re-establishing her childcare business. Tonya believes that a small class environment develops a stronger relationship with children and their families. This gives her the ability to learn more and build a solid foundation for learning for her children.