Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Flowers.
Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I came to Early Childhood Education through the “back door.” I graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Biology, married, and within five years had two beautiful sons. When I enrolled them in our church preschool, I was asked to substitute one day—and that single day changed the course of my life. My curiosity about children’s behavior was sparked, and it never left me.
I went on to earn my Master’s in Early Childhood Education from George Mason University and spent nineteen years as the director of an NAEYC-accredited, parent-cooperative program in Northern Virginia, always pushing to stay on the cutting edge of the field. In 2004, I moved to Charleston, South Carolina, and after two years of rigorous work, became a Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor, opening the door to the next chapter of my career.
Currently, I travel the country training early childhood teachers, coaching in classrooms, and supporting parents on their parenting journey.
I’ve written a children’s book that explores moving to a new home through the eyes of young children, and I regularly blog about my coaching work and the lessons children continue to teach me. I’m now seeking a literary agent to help bring these stories to a wider audience.
I’m committed to staying relevant in the ever-changing world of Early Childhood Education—and to continuing the work I love.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has certainly not been smooth. I began my journey in Early Childhood Education in a time without cell phones, when the importance of play—especially outdoor play—was paramount. When computers arrived, I remained committed to what’s best for children, keeping them out of the classroom, and I have no regrets. I left my director position in 2004, just as cell phones were becoming widespread. Their presence has had a significant impact on early childhood, affecting the way children grow and interact.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At this stage in life, a lot of people my age are easing up, settling down, or quietly stepping back. Not me. I’ve never been very good at living according to someone else’s script, and I don’t plan to start now. Life has thrown plenty of “stuff” my way—more than enough to stop a person in their tracks—but every bit of it has shaped me, strengthened me, sharpened me. I’m not slowing down; I’m carrying all of that hard-earned wisdom forward and writing my own next chapter.
I am a passionate Early Childhood Educator of more than forty years. With a Master’s in Early Childhood, I’ve served as a teacher, an administrator, a trainer, and a coach to both teachers and parents. My work has taken me across the country—into classrooms, conference rooms, and communities—where I’ve had the privilege of supporting educators and witnessing the brilliance of young children firsthand.
All of these experiences have led me here: to writing, to sharing my stories, to helping us all slow down long enough to see life through a young child’s eyes. That perspective has shaped me, challenged me, and inspired me—and it’s the lens through which I’m ready to tell the next part of my story.
Happiness and joy—pure and simple.
It’s witnessing a child look another child in the eye and say, “That was mine, please give it back,” after days of gentle coaching. It’s watching a little one pause in the middle of frustration, take three deep breaths, and proudly declare, “I can handle this.” It’s seeing a child place a comforting hand on a friend’s shoulder, unprompted and sincere.
It’s the teacher who calmly teaches a child how to ask for a turn. It’s the teacher who de-escalates a meltdown—not with words, but with her own steady breathing.
These moments, small to some, are everything to me. They are happiness and joy, wrapped in the everyday magic of early childhood.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was born in a time and place where children roamed freely outdoors with few worries. Adventure has always been part of me—I flew alone for the first time at age 12, a generous gift from my aunt that shaped my life. I’ve always loved the water, diving off the high dive at three and water skiing at four. I was an avid Girl Scout until I went to Ole Miss. Today, I’m just as passionate about reading—whether it’s a gripping murder mystery or the latest research in Early Childhood Education.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rippleeffectus.wordpress.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RippleEffectUS
