Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dinna Marie Bacordo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Dinna Marie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I believe success is based on your determination, setting goals, perseverance but the most important attribute is your attitude. We are faced daily with challenges but having a positive mindset and recognize a challenge as an opportunity, you can make any kind of day a success! Everyday is a different day and it is up to us how we want it to be. Ask yourself… do I want it to be a good day or a bad day? It is really up to you, life is how you make it.

Your attitude and positive energy spreads and touches people whenever you share it. It is contagious! Your smile is infectious. The positive things you say is very important. It affects any person’s day. It stays in their mind. It gives them the rush of good feelings.

As a Director of a center and I have a team teachers that depend on my leadership.. Being a teacher is not an easy job. But creating an atmosphere of love, motivation and emphasis on team work gives them the energy to do their job to the fullest. Happy teachers become more creative and goes above and beyond expectations. As a leader, I lead by example and work in the classrooms with my staff and let them know that yes, I am your Director but together we make the school successful.

Dinna Marie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

When we moved to the US in 2005, we had our one year old son. I started looking for a job. I have a Bachelor’s degree and Hotel and Restaurant Management and experience in Banquet sales and hotel operations. I applied in a lot of hotels but no one got back to me since I do not have experience in the US. I also worked with Nestle Philippines under the Foodservices Dept. as the Key Account Specialist for 3 years but the headquarters was in California and we want to live and start our lives in Frisco TX. I was desperate for a job since I am the type who cannot just stay home, even work from home. Since my son was just a year old, I was thinking maybe I should work in a school. I went to a community college and talked to a counselor. When I came for help, she said, “What?! You want to become a teacher. OK, go to this Montessori school, my son goes there, they will hire you! She was right, when the owner of the school in Garland Montessori met me, he took me and my husband to lunch and hired me the same day. He made me assist and sometimes lead in all the classrooms to learn and experience being a teacher and made me run the front office. I was the janitor too at the end of the day! I worked 12 hour shifts! He made me go through a Montessori training to get certified and my Trainor said, “Dinna, you can be a Director!” She made go through 3 interviews. One interview was with someone who wanted to build his own school but it won’t work since I do not have a Director experience. second was, they want me as a Director, but i was afraid that I won’t do well. The third interview was with a Russian owner looking for an assistant Director. When she was showing me her school walking to the playground, she pointed to the play equipment. She said, “Dinna, I bought this piece of shit for $6,000!” I said to myself, I will work for this lady! I told my mentor about it and she said, that is a perfect school, you will learn a lot from it.
As time goes, I was getting the experience, learning from mistakes and challenges, building relationships until I was getting recruited by owners to manage their schools. Reputation is so important. My last Montessori school that I worked at found me because of my reputation. They said they were looking for a good director and my name keeps on coming up. “Who is this Dinna.” While working for them for 3 years, I was recruited by KinderCare. This is the 2nd center that the company has trusted me to take over,
What I love about KinderCare is not only that we are a 500 fortune company but they take care of their people. I get the support from a great team of strong and driven Directors in the district and we are lead by a supportive District leader. Everyone has their own strengths and help each other where one needs to support to be 100% successful. Everyday is a different day, we rely on each other to solve problems we encounter. Our job is not easy running a center for 12 hours and taking care of little children. Retaining and hiring experienced teachers and minimizing parent complaints. Overall, creating a safe learning environment for everyone everyday.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

We are all human, we treat people like how we want to be treated. Yes, I am running a business but I cannot control when my staff has family emergencies. getting sick, medical appointments. I would rather have them get all this done, get well than force them to work with a bad attitude that the children are affected with negative emotions. It will only be a day of complains. Being flexible is important. A balance with life and work is important.

I am a believer of maintaining high morale with my team. This is the main component of a strong school culture. I give my teachers all the support they need. I make sure I talk to them and sit in their class and listen. I empower them to own their classrooms and fix it the way they want it that shows their talents and own creativity. This makes them enthusiastic and confident in performing at their best. They will be willing to do more than what I expect from them. Happy teachers are more effective teachers. I only have 3 non-negotiables. 1. Respect 2. Cleanliness 3. Be Happy

I am very lucky to have staff that are dedicated. Most of them have worked and have followed me from my previous schools. It is not me who makes the school a success but it is them. Happy teachers make happy students and happy parents.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I have the best reviews!!! I believe that your hard work will pay off. Just keep on going! Reputation is important. It is valuable than money. I strive to high quality education for my students and ensure a clean and safe environment for my teachers and students. It reflects me as a leader. How we run our household is the same as how we will run our business.

Furthermore, I think my success comes from working with a good attitude. Have goals for yourself. I know what I am good at and keep doing more of it. Trust that hard work and doing good, your reward will come at the right time.

In my 4th month in Legacy KinderCare, my reviews started coming and it is not stopping! Life is good and God is GREAT!

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dinna.bacordo.7