Leading with Heart
February often invites us to reflect on matters of the heart. In early childhood education, however, being heart-driven is not seasonal or symbolic—it is foundational. At Eventus Education, we talk often about systems, accountability, enrollment, and sustainability because those elements matter deeply to the long-term success of our schools. Yet none of them work without a strong, steady, and intentional heart at the center of the preschool experience.
Being heart-driven in a preschool setting does not mean operating on emotion alone. It means grounding our decisions, interactions, and expectations in empathy, purpose, and an unwavering belief in the dignity and potential of every child, teacher, and family we serve.
For teachers, being heart-driven begins with presence. Young children do not separate learning from relationships; they learn through them. A heart-driven educator understands that their tone, patience, and consistency matter just as much as their lesson plans. It shows up in how a teacher kneels to a child’s level, listens without rushing, and responds with calm even on difficult days.
At the same time, being heart-driven does not mean lowering expectations. In fact, it requires professional courage. It means holding children to developmentally appropriate standards because you believe they are capable. It means engaging in honest reflection, seeking feedback, and committing to growth—even when it is uncomfortable—because the children deserve the best version of us.
Heart-driven teaching is deeply human work, and it is also disciplined work. It requires boundaries, self-care, and support. When teachers feel seen, supported, and respected, they are better able to extend that same care to their students.
For children, a heart-driven preschool environment is one where safety comes before achievement. Emotional safety is the gateway to learning. When children feel secure, valued, and understood, they are far more willing to explore, take risks, and persevere through challenges.
This means recognizing behavior as communication, not defiance. It means responding to big emotions with guidance rather than punishment, and curiosity rather than frustration. A heart-driven approach asks, “What is this child telling me?” instead of, “How do I stop this behavior?”
In these environments, children learn more than letters and numbers. They learn empathy, resilience, problem-solving, and trust. These are not “extras.” They are the building blocks of lifelong learning and healthy relationships.
Families entrust us with what matters most to them. Being heart-driven with families means honoring that trust through transparency, communication, and partnership. It means listening without defensiveness, celebrating milestones together, and navigating challenges with honesty and respect.
A heart-driven preschool does not position itself against families when concerns arise, but alongside them. Difficult conversations are handled with clarity and compassion. Expectations are communicated consistently. Successes—big and small—are shared generously.
When families feel welcomed and valued, they become true partners in their child’s development. That partnership strengthens outcomes for children and reinforces the sense of community that defines a strong school culture.
At the organizational level, being heart-driven requires intentional leadership. It means making decisions that balance care with sustainability, compassion with accountability, and mission with margin. It means recognizing that strong systems exist to support people—not replace them.
At Eventus Education, our commitment is to lead in a way that honors both the heart and the work of early childhood education. We believe that when preschools are heart-driven, they become places where children thrive, teachers stay and grow, and families feel confident and connected.
As we move through February and beyond, my encouragement to every educator and leader is this: protect the heart of your work. Nurture it thoughtfully, support it structurally, and lead with it consistently. When the heart is strong, everything else has the opportunity to follow.
Dr. Jason Lody, CEO