Ms. Vicki started working here in 1996 as a part-time substitute teacher. Soon after, she became the lead teacher in the 3-year-old classroom. At the time, her classroom was located in our Y’s personal training room. In 1999, she began working at our former Grand Street Child Care location, which she did until Grand Street closed in 2016. When COVID-19 started, Ms. Vicki decided to retire, but didn’t stay away from the Y for long. She returned last year as a part-time teacher in the toddler room – a first for her since she’s only taught the 3 and 4 year olds during her Y career. “I came full circle,” she said. “I started part time and now I’m ending part time.” She added, “I’ve enjoyed my years at the Y. I’ve enjoyed meeting the children and families. You know what touches my heart? Each year, I get a Christmas card from one of my first kids, and this year, the Christmas card had photos from her wedding.”
Reminiscing on her career at the Y, Ms. Vicki, who also worked in Child Care administration here for a few years said: “We’ve always had such a wonderful staff. Everyone always worked together as a team, which to me is very important. My mantra is ‘together, everyone achieves more.’”
Ms. Vicki encouraged her children, including Ms. Roxie to work at the Y. About 20 years back as a teenager, Ms. Roxie began working in the Child Watch Room. Ms. Vicki’s two sons also started working at the Y around the same time, helping out in the gymnastics department. Ms. Roxie then began working in Child Care as well, first at Grand Street and then at the main building. Currently, she’s a teacher in the 4 year-old classroom. For a while, Ms. Roxie noted that she left the Y to care for her own children, but like her mom, found her way back. “The Y is a place that works with you. As a working mom, this was very helpful. The Y is a welcoming place and very family oriented.”