by Shawn Bariana

July 7, 2022

After a lifelong career enriching the lives of children, Jackie Brader, from Lehigh Valley Children's Centers on Union Boulevard in Allentown has taken on a new adventure, retirement!

She first began teaching with Lehigh Valley Children's Centers in 1979, during the early decades when the organization was known as Lehigh Valley Child Care. After leaving LVCC in 1988, then returning again in 1997, Jackie taught different age groups at two locations in Bethlehem—the former Raspberry Street location, followed by Fowler Center on Main Street—before moving to Union Boulevard, Allentown in 2011. More recently, she taught in the state-funded Infant-Toddler Contracted Slots classroom. 

“I liked working with all the age groups, but toddlers are so much fun,” Jackie said.

In the classroom, Jackie often could be found reading to a small group of children or crouching to a small child’s level to have a conversation. Many of the active games they played together required the children to use their imagination. With one activity, for example, Jackie would make animal sounds to simulate a farm or zoo as the young learners moved around on riding toys in the gross motor room (gym). The children would then identify the type of animal that made the sound.

Jackie is looking forward to swimming during her newly-acquired free time this summer. She will also have more time to enjoy her other hobbies—reading, word puzzles, and watching TV. To her families and fellow co-workers, she sends this message.

“I’ll miss everybody, but I’ll be popping in,” Jackie said.

Get to know Jackie Brader

Although Jackie avoids talking about herself, she responded to my questions. Read on for her replies: 

What makes you smile?
“Being with the kids—running around with them, talking with them, and hearing the funny things they say.”

How did challenges help you grow as an individual?
“I learned to be flexible.”

What advice would you give staff first entering the early childhood education field?
“Enjoy yourself! I enjoyed being with the kids.”

Five Fun Facts about Jackie Brader
 

I asked co-workers to tell us a few nuggets of knowledge not everyone knows about Jackie.
 

1. Jackie loves chocolate… to the point that a bowl of chocolate would be empty by the end of the day. Naturally, her co-workers threw her a retirement party filled with, you guessed it, tons of chocolate candy.

2. She enjoys being in the summer sun. Much of her summer is spent outdoors.

3. Although Jackie comes across as having a tough exterior, her co-workers say she’s a real teddy bear inside.

4. She is a dedicated and dependable employee. She consistently arrives on time and never asks to leave early.

5. She’s great with the younger children. She gets them engaged in physical activities, like playing games in the gym.

Jackie will always be valued for her commitment and dedication to children. She’s so dedicated that she plans to substitute periodically at LVCC on Union Boulevard starting July 2022. Please join us in wishing Jackie all the best in her retirement!