By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Karen Thomason didn’t just care for children. She helped build confidence that stayed with them long after they left her classroom.
Thomason of Hays Area Children’s Center began as a stay-at-home mom raising three children before going on to care for multiple generations.
"I have had children of children. I had their parents as children, and years later, they brought their own children back," Thomason said.
Thomason is set to retire Jan. 9, marking 37 years as a child care provider. She said she began her career under an organization that later merged with another to form what is now the children’s center.
Thomason had prior experience through involvement in school activities, a parent-teacher association and church-based work with children. Her skills were recognized when an employer noticed her during an interview break.
"I wanted to go back to work, and they had some interviews. There were children out on the playground," she said. "I went over there and helped the kids with sharing and taking turns. I guess the lady who was hiring saw me and said, 'I think you'll be great.'"
Thomason's classroom is licensed to care for up to 15 children ages 2 and a half through kindergarten. In her classroom, children focus on motor skills, positive guidance, outdoor play, work on having family-style meals and occasionally have dance parties.
Thomason said she has built close relationships with students’ parents and has been invited to birthday parties and later to graduation celebrations at the end of their K–12 education.
"I want them to take confidence with them and to believe in themselves," she said. "I know they're only little, but I feel like if we're building that inside of them, they'll be ready to learn something new."
Thomason celebrated her retirement with a party at the center, sharing memories to close out her career. She said the months leading up to her announcement, including when she wrote her retirement letter, were very emotional.
"What I'm gonna miss the most in my classroom is the children. You try to provide the best environment and come up with new ideas and lesson plans. You work a lot of nights... just their little smiling faces and their loving faces," she said.
Thomason said she will also miss her coworkers, but plans to stay connected to the center through fundraisers, event participation or possibly an advisory role.
Thomason enjoys fishing, hunting and gardening, and looks forward to spending more time on those hobbies in retirement. She also plans to travel more and attend more of her four grandchildren’s activities, such as sports and school events.
"This was my passion, and I was fortunate to be able to do what I wanted to do," she said.
Thomason was named December’s Child Care Champion after receiving multiple nominations from parents and coworkers. The Hays Area Children’s Center has served the Hays community for 60 years, providing care for infants through school-age children.
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