A New Chapter: Jessica Karpathios and The Curious Educator Collective
New Beginnings, Bold Ideas, Meaningful Learning
Dear colleagues and friends,
I’m excited to share both personal and professional updates as I enter a new chapter in my career. First, I recently got married and have officially changed my name from Jessica Holder to Jessica Karpathios.
As I step into a new chapter, I’m filled with excitement, reflection, and a sense of possibility. After 11 fulfilling years, at the beginning of 2026, I made the decision to step away from Discovery Child Care Centre. I am now focusing fully on The Curious Educator Collective; my space for supporting educators in creating bold, reflective, and meaningful learning experiences.
I’d love to hear from you! For all correspondence moving forward, you can simply reply to this email, or email me at hello@jessicakarpathios.com.
This newsletter is my way of bringing you along on the journey. Over the coming weeks and months, I’ll be sharing stories and reflections about:
Saying goodbye to Discovery Child Care and what I’ve learned along the way
Reconnecting with the early learning sector through travel and hands-on experiences
The beginnings of writing a book and exploring ideas I’ve long wanted to share
Continuing to explore pedagogy in ways that are practical, playful, and deeply reflective
Married in the warmth of Rob’s grandparents’ home—just the four of us; and Rosie, of course!
“All eras must come to an end”-Taylor Swift
As I step away from Discovery Child Care Centre, I’m filled with gratitude and love for the incredible journey I’ve shared with colleagues, children, and families. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a Toddler and Preschool Educator, Centre Supervisor, and, since 2020, my most fulfilling role as Pedagogical Leader, where we cultivated some of the work I am most proud of.
This season of transition has immersed me in the important topic of succession planning. Through my firsthand experience navigating a centre transition, I hope to support others who are embarking on a similar journey, sharing insights and guidance to help make these transitions thoughtful, reflective, and positive.
As I shared the news of my departure from Discovery Child Care Centre, one family gifted me a daffodil along with a heartfelt card reflecting on the meaning of this flower. The daffodil, a symbol of renewal, hope, and new beginnings, perfectly captures the spirit of this season in my life. It’s a reminder of the love, connection, and encouragement I’ve received throughout this journey and the possibilities that lie ahead.
What’s next: I’m looking forward to using this experience to support the sector in navigating succession planning, recruitment, and retention. My goal is to share practical insights and guidance that help others approach these transitions thoughtfully and confidently.
Sabbatical of Disorientation
A season of travel, exploration, and curiosity. Falling in love with life all over again, reconnecting with the sector, and discovering new pedagogies along the way.
I’m immersing myself in new contexts; through travel, art, and connecting with different communities across the globe. I’ll be visiting spaces alongside dear pedagogical friends I’ve met along the way, exploring how child care and early learning environments come to life.
Along the journey, I’m reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones, finding inspiration in unexpected places, and falling in love all over again with the work that drives me.
“The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size.”
Albert Einstein
What’s next: I’m hitting the road to visit early learning environments across the sector, and I would love to come into your space. Together, we can observe practice, problem-solve real challenges, and explore strategies to strengthen curriculum, support children’s learning, and enhance team development. If you’re looking for guidance, fresh ideas, or hands-on support, this is your chance to collaborate and take practical insights back to your program.
Curiosity in Action: Professional Learning with The Curious Educator Collective
My commitment to professional learning and educational consulting is stronger than ever. Guided by curiosity, reflection, and deep pedagogical values, I aim to immerse myself directly in the real-world contexts of educators; observing, learning, and exploring solutions alongside them.
It’s this hands-on, reflective approach that inspired the creation of The Curious Educator Collective; a space dedicated to supporting educators, leaders, organizations, and municipalities in solving real-world challenges while nurturing bold, thoughtful, and meaningful practice.
Looking Ahead
As I step into this new chapter with The Curious Educator Collective, I’m excited to stay curious, explore innovative ideas, and tackle the real-world challenges our sector faces every day; grounded in the values that guide our work. I look forward to sharing insights, reflecting together, and discovering thoughtful, creative solutions alongside you. Thank you for being part of this journey. I can’t wait to see where our curiosity and our values take us next!
— Jessica Karpathios
Upcoming Events:
Saturday April 18, 2025: Dufferin County Half Day Conference.
I’m excited to invite local Dufferin educators to a half-day professional learning experience celebrating the magic of play! We’ll explore hands-on stations indoors and outdoors, reflecting on how children build knowledge, express ideas, and make meaning through play.
Together, we’ll practice using documentation to make children’s thinking visible and deepen our roles as curious partners in learning. I’ll kick off the day with a keynote, “The InterPLAY of Our Work”, inviting us to reimagine our work and see documentation as a tool for intentional, relationship-centered practice. Breakfast and giveaways from Louis Kool & Galt (valued at $2,000) are included. We can’t wait to connect, play, and learn with you!