Danna Florendo is one of those rare people, who, upon first meeting, you can instantly feel her kindness. The warmth she emits to all those around her, is what makes her a loving and supportive mom and now, an incredible Early Childhood Educator. This is the story of how Danna rediscovered her true self for the love of her life–her daughter.
The beginning
Growing up as the youngest child in an immigrant household, Danna remembers herself in her early years as spoiled and filled with rebellion. With a set of loving parents and two doting older sisters, she often slipped under the radar and got away with more. She doesn’t remember having a definitive plan for her future, but her parents encouraged her to pursue a career in medicine, such as in Nursing or Dental Hygiene. However, Danna dreamed of becoming a Kindergarten teacher and working with kids.
“Danna always brightens up the day for students with her words of encouragement. I hear genuine laughter from everyone she encounters.”–Jenny Kim, Instructor
Like many young people just out of high school, Danna didn’t take life too seriously, nor did she have a plan. Everything changed when she became pregnant at 19. With the father not wanting to be involved, she was on her own and she had to grow up fast. She had to find the strength to become the best version of herself for her daughter. And so, her journey begins.
A new path
Danna never lost her desire to work with kids and took the first step towards rediscovering her true self by enrolling in Stenberg College’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program. This felt like a natural choice, as both of her older sisters were Stenberg alumni, and one is a faculty member in the Practical Nursing (PN) program.
“Every time I encounter her on campus, I see that she is always striving for greatness. She will even come early to class and stay later to help her classmates. All the other students admire her.”–Sandra De Vera, Instructor
She enjoyed her time in the ECE program, stating, “This program was very interactive, and my instructor was incredibly helpful.” She grew immeasurably in the program, and through presentations and group work, learned to overcome her anxiety and build her confidence. Danna excelled academically, graduating with an outstanding 97% grade point average (GPA).
Her kind and compassionate nature shone through in everything she did. This is reflected in the words of her instructors and classmates. Her instructor, Jenny Kim, remarked, “Danna always brightens up the day for students with her words of encouragement. I hear genuine laughter from everyone she encounters.” Classmate Jamilah Cooper added, “Danna was consistently considerate and kind, whether it was helping a classmate or taking the lead in group projects.” Another instructor, Sandra De Vera says, “Every time I encounter her on campus, I see that she is always striving for greatness. She will even come early to class and stay later to help her classmates. All the other students admire her.”
Cherry Causen, whose two daughters have spent time under Danna’s care, said, “Her success isn’t just from her achievements; she radiates contagious optimism. Her inspiration to overcome all adversities in life with her warm and cheerful attitude is admirable. She encourages others, including myself, to reach our highest potential.”
Throughout her education, Danna’s greatest source of inspiration remained her daughter, Kamila. Balancing the challenges of being a single mom with the demands of her studies, she looked for strength from her daughter, “She’s the main reason I keep moving forward in life.”
Bright future ahead
When Danna speaks about Early Childhood Education, her face lights up. Her passion for caring for children comes naturally, and she understands the pivotal role she plays in their formative years. “It’s nice to be a resource for children, to comfort them, and to create a safe space where they feel welcome. If this were my daughter, I would want the same for her,” she says.
“It’s nice to be a resource for children, to comfort them, and to create a safe space where they feel welcome. If this were my daughter, I would want the same for her.”
Danna isn’t done with her education yet. She plans to return to Stenberg College to further her career by enrolling in the Early Childhood Education Post-Basic (ECEPB) program. This program will equip her with the tools she needs to support infants, toddlers, and children with special needs, a demographic she knows needs more care providers. There’s no stopping her now, and there is absolutely no doubt that Danna will positively impact many lives throughout her career.
Since graduating, Danna has officially begun working as an Early Childhood Educator. She and Kamila have moved into their own place, and Danna uses the techniques she learned in school to help her daughter grow into the best version of herself. “I used to be very anxious. I want my daughter to be more confident and outgoing than I was.” Having just started Kindergarten, Danna glows when she speaks about Kamila. Life couldn’t be better for mother or daughter.
