Community Highlights: Meet Theresa Smith of Dream Catchers Academy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Theresa Smith.

Hi Theresa , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started out in Physical Education and was coaching for quite a few years. Unfortunately, about 8 years ago I suffered a knee injury that left me unable to do the tasks that were required.
I decided to go back to school and get a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and began teaching in the classroom in 2019. At the time, my daughter and I lived in California, but in 2021 we relocated to North Carolina. I started teaching at a school in Raleigh right away.
After talking with my mentor and expressing my desire to start my own school, they encouraged me to begin to take the steps needed to fulfill that dream.
In 2022 I opened Dream Catchers Academy with 1 student enrolled. By the end of our first year we had 6 kids and have been growing ever since.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think any time you start a business there are always challenges and obstacles along the way. For me the first year was the hardest. Having one student the first two weeks of school financially was hard but also required some perseverance. While we have grown each year, we are looking forward to growing continually.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Dream Catchers Academy is a premier play-based preschool situated in Hillsborough, NC, dedicated to nurturing the growth of children aged 3 to 5 through engaging, hands-on activities. Our educational approach emphasizes the importance of creativity and imagination, which are vital for cognitive development during these formative years. We recognize that the experiences children encounter in preschool are instrumental in shaping their lifelong learning journey.

What distinguishes us from other preschools is our unwavering commitment to fostering a positive and playful learning environment. We prioritize kindness, creativity, and imagination as core values, which not only enhance the learning experience but also inspire a genuine curiosity in our students.

At Dream Catchers Academy, we aspire to cultivate a love for learning in every child by providing them with enriching opportunities that spark their imagination and encourage exploration. We invite readers to discover how our unique approach can set the foundation for their child’s educational journey.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Don’t give up. There are always challenges when you are working on a dream or vision. Generally things don’t just happen without some kind of bump in the road, but even when it seemed impossible, reaching small goals kept me moving forward.

Pricing:

• Full Day Classes- 8:30 – 3:15 5 days a week~ $775 4 days a week~ $625 3 days a week~ $475
• Half Day Classes- 8:30 – 12:30 or 9:00 – 1:00 5 days a week~ $475 4 days a week~ $425 3 days a week~ $345

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dreamcatchersacademync.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamcatchersacademync?igsh=anEwYmk0bGF3b2o1&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DreamCatchersAcademyNC?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr