BY ALLEN A. BUCHANAN, Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG – Infinite Potential celebrated 10 years of providing quality Voluntary Pre-kindergarten, or VPK, to the community last month at the Lake Vista Recreation Center with a kiddie prom to end all kiddie proms.
Former Pinellas County School educator Twanna Monroe started the pre-school to better prepare young African-American scholars to be comfortable in learning who they are, preparing for the rigors of kindergarten and that “every mistake is a chance to learn more and feel good about it,” she said.
“We started with 12 children for VPK,” recalled Monroe.
Just three months into the startup, Infinite Potential was overflowing with scholars, so much so that Monroe’s husband, a local contractor, had to help the school expand its space.
Teacher Brittany Walton, who also doubled as the mistress of ceremony, made sure the parents were having just as much fun as their children. She teamed up with Monroe in the latter half of spring 2010 when she began working in the infant-to-toddler classroom. She’s now a VPK teacher.
The positive synergy between the two educators enables them to shape their pre-school program to fit the needs of children from the community.
“I love children, and I love the process of them learning,” said Walton. She wasn’t just looking for a job some nine years ago; she was looking to find a “pre-school home” where educating the whole is a priority.
Walton and Monroe’s love for their profession was evident as they danced just as much as the pint-sized scholars. VPK parents were welcome in as if they were family members.
Infinite Potential is located at 2250 Roy Hanna Drive S, St. Petersburg. If you’re looking for a top-notched pre-school, call Monroe at 727-434-0828.
To reach Allen Buchanan, email abuchanan@theweeklychallenger.com
