Our History, Mission, Purpose, Philosophy and People
Camille Brown, owner and Executive Director of Stepping Stone Preschool, Elementary and Middle School began her career as a kindergarten lead teacher in a private school in Tyler in 1966. She taught reading in public and private school, and directed two preschool programs, which she founded. Camille is also involved in numerous national, state, and local professional and civic organizations. Her hobbies include reading, fishing, gardening, and flying. She has two children of her own, two stepchildren, twelve grandchildren, and one great grandchild. In 1968, Camille ventured out on her own with 18 students and another teacher to open a preschool. Within two years, the school had out-grown its leased facility. Property was purchased and a new building was constructed. In 1976 Mrs. Brown bought out her partner. The school continued to operate as a half-day preschool program for three through five-year olds until 1990. Also, during this period from 1982-1988, Camille founded Stepping Stone preschool in Kilgore, Texas. In seven years this program grew to 160 students and employed 20 teachers and support staff. In 1988, this school was sold. In early 1990 Camille embarked on an expansion program on the Tyler campus that would fulfill the need for a quality all day preschool/childcare with extended hours for working parents, which she identified as lacking in the Tyler service area. As an advocate for children, Camille desired to give area children every advantage to succeed in a quality, secure environment so their parents could go into the workplace, not worry, and know that their children were receiving an excellent child-centered education. In pursuing that goal which the Tyler native views as “a calling” she was “led” to fulfill, Mrs. Brown began the first school expansion. The expansion of the preschool program consisted of purchasing the adjacent property and building and constructing 4,200 square feet to the existing facility. This gave the school a total of 15 classrooms for 3 years through kindergarten. Rapid growth in student enrollment and parent requests prompted her to expand the corporate mission to include elementary students:
“To meet the working parents need by providing their children with high quality all day care that cultivates confident, eager learners that exhibit superior skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic.”
In 1994, a construction program phased over three years was initiated. In 1994, an 8,000 square foot gymnasium was completed. In 1995, a 20,000 square foot elementary building containing 14 classrooms, an office, library, music, science, Spanish, technology, and art room were added in addition to a cafeteria. An Olympic heated pool was constructed as well as an additional elementary playground and soccer/baseball field. A 2,600 square foot wing to the gymnasium was added to house the growing pre kindergarten enrollment and the after school age care extended clubs (SAC).
Currently, Stepping Stone occupies 40,000 square feet. The school provides an outstanding education to Tyler and East Texas area students in a year round program.
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