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In 2005, Joanna began her career as a bilingual Kindergarten teacher in the public school system, while searching for the perfect Pre-K program for her twin daughters, Sydney and Brooke. At the time, many schools in her community didn’t offer Pre-K, but Joanna knew how vital early education was. She wanted a program that combined compassion with strong educational foundations. Fortunately, she was able to enroll her daughters in one of the few public Pre-K programs available, giving her peace of mind while she continued teaching nearby.

Over the next six years, Joanna gained valuable experience in various teaching roles. She found a deep passion for teaching reading and writing as a bilingual 4th-grade teacher, eventually receiving specialized training to become a reading recovery teacher for struggling first-grade bilingual students. Around this time, her youngest daughter, Sofia, was approaching Pre-K age. Although she was satisfied with Sofia’s childcare program, Joanna was concerned about the depth of its educational approach. After noticing that Sofia’s daily paper claimed she had learned to spell the word “beautiful,” Joanna, knowing the typical abilities of three-year-olds, realized the program lacked focus on the fundamental skills Sofia needed for Kindergarten.

Determined to find a more comprehensive, well-rounded educational program for Sofia, Joanna toured multiple childcare facilities but couldn’t find anything comparable to the strong Pre-K programs she had seen in the public school system. After much reflection, she made a bold decision: she resigned from her position at Emerson Elementary after ten years of teaching and used her savings to launch her own preschool.

With the help of family, Joanna transformed a small quonset hut into a two-classroom childcare facility, and in October 2014, she opened the doors of Bright Minds Academy. Starting with six Pre-K students—three of whom were family members—and eleven preschoolers, Joanna took on the roles of both director and Pre-K teacher during the first year.

Joanna’s vision was clear from the start: to raise the standard of early childhood education in her community. She developed a curriculum focused on exciting themes that not only sparked students’ curiosity but also provided them with the critical skills needed for academic success. As a bilingual Mexican American who spent her childhood summers in Monterrey, Mexico, Joanna grew up with a deep appreciation for Mexican culture and the Spanish language. She now integrates Spanish into daily lessons, fostering an environment where children learn to appreciate diverse cultures and languages.

Today, Joanna remains actively involved in the daily operations of Bright Minds Academy, guiding her team of directors and continually improving the curriculum to adapt to changing times. Although the academy has expanded to serve younger age groups, Joanna firmly believes in calling her facility a “preschool” rather than a “daycare.” Her goal is for students to graduate from Bright Minds Academy more than ready for Kindergarten, equipped with the social, emotional, and academic confidence needed to thrive, along with an appreciation for different languages and cultures.