海角社区

Brenda Finkelstein applied for more than 200 jobs before landing one at 海角社区.

She knew she鈥檇 be a custodian at the university. Still, she said she had no idea she鈥檇 be working in the 海角社区 Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool鈥攐r that the job would become one of the greatest joys of her life. 鈥淚t was a happy surprise,鈥� Finkelstein said.

Nearly three years later, she鈥檚 a cherished part of the preschool family. And she鈥檚 being recognized for her work on a national stage as a top 10 finalist for award. But to her, the real reward is the children she cares for daily.

鈥淚 take this job seriously. I treat these children as if they were my kin. How would I want somebody to provide for them, and how can I help the teachers and the staff that need to do what they do,鈥� Finkelstein said.

A Life of Service

Her career journey began in the military. After graduating from high school in New York, she enlisted in the Army, serving nearly six years on active duty and eight more years in the reserves. She specialized in logistics, a role that took her across the world, from Korea to Central America and South America.

Service was a natural path for Finkelstein 鈥攈er family had a strong military tradition.

鈥淚 had a lot of female role models who were in the Army, specifically. My father had been in the Army, my uncle, aunts, cousins, and such,鈥� Finkelstein said.

But after years of traveling, she eventually settled in Florida. Then, a single moment changed her course once again: Finkelstein reconnected with the love of her life, a fellow Army veteran she hadn鈥檛 seen in 40 years. One phone conversation was all it took.

鈥淚 found him, and we spoke, and the next day, he asked me to move to Baton Rouge.鈥�

Within a month, she was there, starting a new chapter she never expected.

鈥淐oming to Baton Rouge for this man who I've been in love with my entire life; 40 years is a long time to love somebody you don't think you're ever going to see again,鈥� Finkelstein said.

Finding a New Family at 海角社区

When Finkelstein took the job at 海角社区, she didn鈥檛 anticipate how deeply she would connect with the preschool community.

鈥淚 have no little children in my life,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow, I get to be surrounded by them every day. It鈥檚 what drives me.鈥�

From keeping classrooms spotless to ensuring the school is stocked with just the right amount of toilet paper for potty training kids, Finkelstein does it all with a sense of ownership and care. The children know her by name, simply as 鈥淢s. Brenda.鈥� She watches them grow, celebrates their milestones, and treats them as if they were her own.

鈥淭he amount of teamwork that I see here every day, and I never really understood childhood development until I came here, and I see it with my own eyeballs,鈥� Finkelstein said.

Her colleagues recognize that dedication. One of them secretly nominated her for the National Custodian of the Year award, and now she鈥檚 in the top 10.

"There's no one more deserving of this award than Ms. Brenda.  I'm so glad she was nominated, as she is an essential member of our winning team. Ms. Brenda goes above and beyond to make sure the needs of ECELP are met," said Kamille Watson, director of the ECELP.

The Honor of a Lifetime

Though the nomination humbles her, Finkelstein remains focused on the job she loves.

鈥淭his award is an incredible honor, but honestly, just being here is everything,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his school, these kids are the best part of my day. 鈥奣hey have made me feel part of the family and I couldn鈥檛 ask for a better job. This award is like cherries on top of the ice cream sundae because having scored this gig here is everything, honestly.鈥�

Winning would come with a $10,000 grand prize鈥攁 sum she already knows how to use.

鈥淚 went to South Florida to see my kids for Christmas. On the first day there, I lent my son my car, and he was in a very bad wreck. He walked away unscathed, but the car was totaled,鈥� Finkelstein said, and she purchased a car when she returned to Baton Rouge.

If she wins, she plans to use the money to pay that car off.

Why Brenda Finkelstein Deserves Your Vote

The Cintas National Custodian of the Year award isn鈥檛 just about keeping things clean鈥攊t鈥檚 about making a difference, and Finkelstein does that every day. She served her country, found a second chance at love, and now pours her heart into the children of 海角社区鈥檚 preschool. But a in the competition can help her win.

鈥淚 truly live a blessed existence. I'm not trying to leave this world anytime soon, but I tell you that if this was my last day, and I leave this life, I leave a very happy woman.鈥�

 

Next Step

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