How can early childhood educators create high-quality learning environments while supporting diverse student needs?

Adrienne Anzelmo shares her journey from college student to founding Be Curious Children's Learning Center, now a leading early education facility in Billerica, Massachusetts. Adrienne traces her path from working at her first preschool to developing Be Curious's innovative approach to early childhood education focused on purposeful play and social-emotional development.

The conversation explores Be Curious's comprehensive approach to early education, including age-appropriate curriculum development, social skills building, and creating rich learning environments. Adrienne emphasizes the importance of focusing on emotional intelligence and conflict resolution alongside academic preparation.

Adrienne candidly discusses the personal challenges she faced when her second child began identifying as female at 18 months old, including navigating healthcare, social acceptance, and family dynamics. She shares how she supported her daughter through gender transition while running a growing business, ultimately writing children's books to help other families facing similar journeys.

As an industry veteran, Adrienne offers insights on adapting to changing conditions, including the impact of COVID-19 on early childhood development and the ongoing challenges of teacher compensation and retention. The discussion concludes with Adrienne's perspective on the future of early education and her upcoming children's books focused on neurodiversity and celebrating educators.

Mentors that shaped Adrienne's approach:

Her mother, who partnered with her to launch and run the business
Her older sister, who provided wisdom about continuous growth and improvement
Her younger sister, who serves as a healthcare consultant
The team at Boston Children's Hospital gender unit, who provided crucial support and guidance

Don't miss this engaging discussion with an early education pioneer who's built a successful center while advocating for both quality childcare and gender-diverse youth.

References:

Facebook: Adrienne Keith Anzelmo
Be Curious Children's Learning Center on Facebook
Books: "No Matter What" available on Amazon
Upcoming: "The Curious Adventures of Mrs. Beasley" (2024) and "Brendan's Box" (2025)

Anthony Codispoti, AddBack Benefits Agency

https://www.addbackbenefitsagency.com/

Transcript | From Purposeful Play to Personal Growth with Adrienne Anzelmo

Youtube - Inspired Stories Podcast by AddBack BenefitsAgency

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-2KCy3zqjALje6hwzWT0VA

From Purposeful Play to Personal Growth with Adrienne Anzelmo

The Inspired Stories Podcast