Lois Freeman-Augustine.

Today, the young entrepreneur is proud of her decision and is the Owner and Principal of Kids Connection Day Care and Pre-School and Pelican Gate Kindergarten and Elementary School.

She credits her business success to the hands-on experience she received from her alma mater as a teacher.

A former student of the Enid Scatliffe Primary and the Althea Scatliffe Primary Schools, Lois went on to pursue her secondary education at the BVI High now Elmore Stoutt High School, and upon graduation, took on her first job as a trainee teacher at Althea Scatliffe, where she taught Class 1, which was a very important element to her career choice.

“It was then that I really fell in love with this age group that I work with. The experience at Althea Scatliffe was valuable to me, as I later attended university and could have drawn from my experience there,” said the educator, who explained that because of her experience there, she was able to complete her undergraduate degree in only three years. She graduated from the Florida A & M University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1999 and proceeded to complete her Masters in Education in 2001.

When she returned home in 2001, Lois was fortunate to again be placed at Althea Scatliffe, but this time as a trained teacher, where she worked for three years before she went on to open her own day-care and pre-school.

When asked what it is that she loves most about working with kids, the teacher said with a bright but yet shy smile: “I am not a people person, but I love kids so much; they bring about a different person in me. I cannot pinpoint what it is, but something about when they look at you and say ‘teacher I love you’. They just make me feel like a superhuman person and they make me so proud. When it comes to the kids, I see promise in every kid, there is something in them that shines and I feel like I can help them.”

The teacher spoke of her love for teaching and educating young minds, who she said inspire her and push her to reach greater heights. “I always wanted to have my own business and something to do with kids I know I would love doing,” said the teacher, who explained the genesis of her day-care and pre-school. The daughter of Kenneth and Anneka Freeman said her dad constructed a building in Baugher’s Bay with the bottom floor for commercial purpose, and she asked him to give her the space to see what she can do for herself.

On June 1, 2006, Kids Connection Day Care and Pre-School was opened in Baugher’s Bay with four teachers, including herself, and a full complement of students.

Today, the school has grown to have over 60 students and is one of the early childhood education institutions in the Virgin Islands to be reckoned with.

Since the institution opened, Lois has given her full attention to it and come September 2010, she has various new initiatives she plans to implement to further improve its standards.

More recently, she has introduced the kindergarten and elementary classes, with a second school, Pelican Gate, located in West End. The institution, which currently has a kindergarten and Class 1, is a phased development, where every year, a new building and a new class is added, as she plans to eventually have an entire elementary school.

“Like any other principal, I try to build strong self esteem and get the children to believe in themselves, and we do that with a very hands-on curriculum where they can manipulate things, make mistakes and self correct,” said the experienced teacher, who added that her teachers and the curriculum are there to facilitate the students and be their guide, while the students are placed in the driver’s seat.

As a young person who ventured out to start her own business, Lois said she had every butterfly in her tummy and there were times when she felt it was not possible.

“There are times when I would doubt myself and say it was not going o happen. After a while, I said I will give it what I’ve got and I believe if you are to make it a measure of success I would say it has been successful from day one,” said the accomplished businesswoman.

The mother of Jaden, 6 and Taryn, 19-months, is thankful for the support and encouragement she has received from her family, especially her husband Steve Augustine. “It is not easy being young and having this kind of responsibility, as I have two young kids at home who depend on me and my husband to care for. Thank God I have an excellent husband who definitely steps up to the plate as a husband and a dad and that makes it nearly a hundred times easier for me,” said the proud wife, who enjoys nurturing her family while still making the time to manage her two schools.

The family-oriented young professional still makes it possible to spend quality time with her family by going to the beach, travelling or even enjoying dinner at home with her family, which they all enjoy.

For the ardent educator, the challenge she faces is to find members to work on her team who share the same vision that she shares for children. “Every day, I pray and ask God to give me people who will be as vigilant as I am. It will continue to be a challenge, which I am fully prepared to face and handle,” said the principal.

Her advice to anyone who wants to start their own business is not to do it just to get rich, but rather to follow their heart and not their head, and use their head to guide their heart.

“Expect naysayers who will tell you everything you cannot do, but if it is something of your heart, you will find your inner strength. And for those who are spiritual, give it to God and leave it there, and once you know what you are doing is good and right and honest, you are to remain focused on your goals and keep doing all you can do to make your dreams a reality,” she advises.