Maria Morcillo was born and raised in Colombia,immigrated to the United States in 1988 and became a United States citizen in search of economic stability and greater opportunities. “My husband and I made the difficult decision to leave our children in the care of family until we could establish ourselves and reunite. It was a sacrifice driven by love and long-term vision,” she says. One of ten siblings, she has always held strong family values. Education has been a consistent theme throughout her life, both for herself and in support of her children. Her passion for early childhood education began when she enrolled her young daughter in preschool in Colombia. “Observing her teacher’s kindness and respectful approach toward children left a lasting impression on me. That experience inspired me to begin volunteering in her classroom,” she says. “From a very young age I had dreamed of teaching high school, but after seeing how positively my child responded to her first school experience, I shifted my focus. I wanted to help other children grow in the same way and give families the reassurance that their children were in loving hands. The more I learned, the more I fell in love with the profession.”

She had already started college-level coursework in Early Childhood Education in Colombia when she arrived in the United States. Unfortunately, those credits were invalidated due to how much time had passed, which meant starting over for Morcillo. However, she remained committed to her goal.  “My husband and I enrolled in nightly English classes, attending every day with urgency and discipline. We knew that learning the language was critical to building a life here and becoming active members of our community,” she explains.

That determination laid the foundation
for everything that followed: earning her Child Development Associate (CDA), returning to college, and ultimately completing her bachelor’s degree in 2006 at Kean University in Union, New Jersey—all through in-person courses while simultaneously working full time as a prekindergarten teacher.

After spending 19 years in New Jersey and completing her degree, Morcillo and her family relocated to Sarasota—her husband arriving first to establish roots—where they’ve now lived for more than 19 years. “Sarasota has become home, and the community here has helped shape who I am both personally and professionally,” she shares.

When she arrived in Sarasota, Morcillo began searching for opportunities in early childhood education, and that’s when she found Children First. “I started at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. site, where I was the only Spanish-speaking educator at the time,” she explains. “It was an honor to serve as a cultural and linguistic bridge for families who, like I once did, were learning English while building a life in a new country.” Over the years, she’s worked at several campuses for the agency, always in Pre-K settings.

“Throughout my time with Children First, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside exceptional co-teachers and mentors who have deeply influenced my growth. What has stayed with me most are the relationships built—seeing former students and families in the community who still remember our time together is incredibly moving. The trust and gratitude they express, even years later, reminds me of the lasting impact we can have,” she says. Morcillo says that the spark for teaching has never left her life. “Today, I see how vital this work is, especially in the early years when children need warmth, support and structure. Their transition to kindergarten is such an important step and I’m proud to help lay that foundation.”

One of Morcillo’s favorite moments each year is celebrating with the children who have completed the program and are going to kindergarten in the fall. “I spend the final month preparing the children for their next big step and encourage them to reflect on how much they’ve grown. I’ll say, ‘Do you remember when you started in August? You were just learning how to write your name. You couldn’t count past ten. And now look at you!’ When they recognize their own growth, their eyes light up. They say, ‘Wow! I know so much!’ It’s a powerful moment of realization that often gives me chills. It’s also incredibly rewarding to see students who are not only academically ready for kindergarten, but emotionally resilient as well. That readiness is the result of the care and connection we’ve built together.”

Morcillo firmly believes that early childhood education is more than just a career—it’s a calling that requires deep compassion, patience and understanding. “Children may enter the classroom carrying trauma or emotional challenges, and we must meet them where they are, adapting our approach to each child’s needs and giving them unconditional regard and genuine attention,” she says.

To help educators rise to this challenge, Children First offers a series of in-depth trainings in curriculum and social-
emotional strategies, all grounded in developmentally appropriate practices based on Head Start and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards. “When you feel the passion to guide young children, you become more and more interested in acquiring the content knowledge that prepares you as a professional,” Morcillo explains. “Then you feel happy and fulfilled for making a difference in a child’s life.”

She emphasizes that effective early educators must go beyond teaching the curriculum. “As educators, we must be flexible, creative and emotionally present. Success in this field comes not just from curriculum delivery but from building trust, supporting families and fostering resilience in young learners. If you choose this path, do it with your whole heart.”

There is a favorite quote Morcillo always refers back to: “If a child is not learning the way you are teaching him, you need to teach him the way that he learns.” You cannot reach a child who is in distress until you address the root cause of that distress. Only then can learning truly begin. That’s why I believe so firmly in Children First. It provides the strongest support system for children and families who need it most,” she says.

Being honored as a Good Hero in our community is truly an honor, and one that feels surreal to Morcillo. “I’ve always admired stories of everyday people making a difference but never imagined I would be recognized in this way. This work is my passion. Even if I didn’t have to work, I would still choose to do this every day. What has always mattered to me is being where I’m needed most—not only helping children grow academically, but making them feel seen, supported and valued. Recognition like this is deeply meaningful, but it’s the children and families who inspire me every day.”

With plans to retire in December, Morcillo says she’s been blessed to work with incredible colleagues–dedicated, compassionate and creative professionals who bring joy to the classroom.“I’m looking forward to what’s next: traveling with my husband, volunteering more in the community, spending time in my garden and exploring the arts. While I plan to continue substitute teaching through 2025, I remain committed to supporting early learning in every way I can.” 

Maria Morcillo was honored as a Good Hero by SRQ Magazine in December 2024.