Paula Echeverri Durango - December 2024 Shero

Congratulations, Paula Echeverri Durango and Harold A. Blanco, Springfield, MA 

Paula Andrea Echeverri Durango and Harold Antonio Blanco are dedicated educators and owners of Paula's Barn Inc. - Child Care, a family-oriented, bilingual, and multicultural program established in Springfield, MA, in April 2018. Paula, an experienced child care professional with over 20 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in Education from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana and a CDA accreditation. She continuously expands her knowledge through various training programs and certifications from esteemed institutions like Springfield Technical Community College (STCC), Holyoke Community College (HCC), and Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). In addition, Paula is a dedicated Strong Start Facilitator with the Professional Learning Community (PLC), actively contributing her expertise to the "Art of Marketing Your Child Care Business in the Early Education Field" course in Spanish. This role further demonstrates her commitment to supporting and enhancing the skills of fellow child care professionals in the field. Harold, an Industrial Engineer from Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), and a Certified FCC Assistant, joined the business due to the pandemic, contributing to the program's expansion to accommodate 10 children. With over 15 years of experience in Project Management and Leadership in Corporate America, Harold is also a Real Estate Investor in the Springfield, Mass Area. Together, Paula and Harold are committed to providing high-quality education for children and families across the Commonwealth, fostering inclusive, bilingual, and supportive environments. Paula and Harold at Paula's Barn, Inc. offers personalized education, fostering relationships and critical thinking skills for children to thrive in their communities. They have demonstrated resilience and adaptability, transforming into an "Emergency Child Care" facility during the pandemic and prioritizing the safety of children and staff by strictly following CDC and EEC regulations with the support of The 9:30 Call, organized by Strategies For Children. The 9:30 Call played a significant role in communication and distribution of early education information; helping Paula's Barn, Inc. and other participants to navigate challenges and support the well-being of children and families during these unprecedented times. Both Harold and Paula completed a year-long Advocacy and Leadership program with the Advocacy Network from Strategies For Children. As part of this commitment, they developed a proposal to improve access to information for Spanish-speaking FCC educators, culminating in the creation of the WhatsApp Community ECCHO-Latino (Committed Educators for the Quality of Early Education in the Home - Latino). Through these efforts, they are dedicated to enhancing access to valuable resources that educators need to raise the standards of education practices in their programs. Strategies For children wanting to connect to more Spanish-speaking early educators, offered to Paula and Harold to become cohosts of The 9:30 Call at Night in Spanish. The nighttime format differs from the daytime call. Instead of 30 minutes four days a week, the Spanish-language nighttime call is once a month for an hour: a 30-minute presentation delivered by a guest speaker and 30 minutes for an open discussion forum. The call takes place on the third Wednesday of every month, providing an opportunity for Spanish-speaking educators to access valuable information and connect with their peers. Paula and Harold are also members of the Western Mass FCC Affinity Group and FCC Western Mass Pyramid Alliance. Paula and Harold are actively implementing the Pyramid Model Framework to promote social-emotional competence and reduce challenging behaviors in young children. Through their tireless work and dedication, Paula and Harold continue to make strides in providing high-quality education for children and families across the Commonwealth, with a focus on fostering inclusive, bilingual, and supportive environments.

The Business Training we took with Shared Services of Massachusetts in 2022 helped us structure our program as a solid business and become more detailed and aware of our financial status. Additionally, we built valuable connections with other participants and staff.  

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Colombia, and education truly runs in my DNA—my mom and cousins are all educators. As a mother myself, I’m deeply involved in my son's development, and I strive to provide him with the same enriching experiences I offer to my students. My goal is to contribute to positive change by fostering empathy and resilience in children. I believe that by nurturing these qualities, we can help shape compassionate individuals who are well-equipped to face the world."

* Visit from the EEC Commissioner Amy Kershaw and State Representative Carlos Gonzalez this past August 2024.