Children grow and learn at different paces, but Stephanie Webster, a former kindergarten teacher in Sumter, South Carolina, was deeply concerned when some of her students didn’t know their own names. “They’d give me a nickname because they weren’t taught their real names, and they didn’t understand that wasn’t truly who they are,” she explained. 

Her time in both the public school system revealed profound gaps in academics, self-awareness, and identity development. That realization led her to leave public education and pursue her passion: supporting young learners at a foundational level. 

This year, JMBC Christian and Academic School celebrates 65 years of serving young children and their families. Stephanie also marks her 26th year at the school, from volunteering in her son’s classroom to eventually taking over as director. Under her leadership, the school goes beyond preparing students academically—it creates space for children to discover who they are. 

“We provide opportunities across the board, not just a safe and educational environment, but a place where children can begin to understand themselves and develop the skills to connect with others,” Stephanie said. 

JMBC encourages creative exploration, allowing students to pursue their interests and passions by giving them the opportunity to experiment and create, as well as the books and resources they need to pursue their own learning. “They begin to tell us who they are and what they’ve discovered about themselves, because we’ve given them that opportunity,” she added. 

Stephanie believes that knowing who you are begins with learning how to look inward and express yourself. That’s why JMBC uses mindfulness-based programs like Conscious Discipline, part of the SC First Steps 4K curriculum, to foster emotional intelligence. These programs give children the tools to name their feelings, manage their emotions, and communicate effectively with their peers. “When a child knows themselves, they can confidently say, ‘No, I don’t want this,’ or ‘Yes, I do want this.’” Stephanie said. “Without that self-awareness and confidence, they might be tempted to follow others.” 

For Stephanie, the focus on emotional intelligence and self-awareness naturally extends into broader lessons about navigating life beyond the classroom. The skills children develop at JMBC not only prepare them for kindergarten, but they also lay the foundation for how they engage with the world. “It’s bigger than just handling what you do when somebody pushes you or how that made you feel. We’re helping them process what life is like outside of small groups, because they have to be prepared for that,” Stephanie said. 

As students begin to understand who they are and how they relate to others, they take on real responsibilities in the classroom that help build a sense of purpose and belonging. Each child is assigned a task at the start of the day: the electrician turns the lights on and off, the gardener waters the flowers, and the custodian picks up leftover trash after lunch. “It teaches students that everyone’s roles are equally important. And that these different roles make up our society,” Stephanie said.

JMBC prepares students with a solid foundation for life. That lasting impact is something Stephanie has seen come full circle in the most meaningful ways. She recalled one father in particular who she watched grow up from the time he was a baby, until graduation. “I was subbing for a teacher that day, and I remember him telling me what he wanted to be and what he wanted to do,” she said. “We gave him that confidence in himself to pursue his dreams.” Today, he works at the State House and his daughter now attends JMBC. He brings from her from Columbia every morning just so she can have the same foundation he had. 

SC First Steps 4K centers like JMBC Christian and Academic School gives students the chance to thrive so they can become their best self. “For me, as a parent, I think that First Steps is giving your child the best gift that they could have to the introduction of early childhood education,” Stephanie said. “And we have been blessed in South Carolina to be provided the opportunity to give it.”

How can you support 4K centers like JMBC Christian Academic School?  

Consider donating to SC First Steps  or contacting your state representative to advocate for kindergarten readiness programs.  

SC First Steps partners with more than 270 licensed childcare centers and private schools across the state, making it easy for families to find a high-quality program that meets their needs. To see if your child qualifies for First Steps 4K, a free, full-day four-year-old kindergarten for children in South Carolina, learn more about eligibility.   

Topics: First Steps 4K