Mary Sue Watson

Love and concern for children started MSue’s career some 60 years ago. First, teaching pre-school in both non-profit and for-profit schools. Having an entrepreneurial spirit combined with her dedication to nurturing children, Mary Sue and her husband, Wayne, founded their first school in 1971. They went on to develop and operate 10 schools.

Mary Sue did most everything. She planned the menus and did the food shopping. Many times, she did the cooking—everything was made from scratch as they provided breakfast, morning and afternoon snacks, lunch, and supper.

She wrote the training manual for staff, trained employees, wrote the parent manual, did tours for parents, designed marketing plans, oversaw the daily curriculum experiences for the children, drove the van to take and pick up school-age children from grade school (one of her favored times), worked with the 20+ government agencies that had some form of control on one’s operation, did MANY reports to the appropriate government offices, and wrote grants.

For 25 years, MS provided training for staff on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Most of the time, MS presented the education.

MSue planned summer camp activities as the schools were turned into a jungle, or a circus, or maybe outer space for the summer. She personally went on many of the field trips.

She acted as full-time Director for many years. This gave her time with the children. The kids are where MSue sparkles!

Long before computers, Mary Sue did payroll by hand, by figuring the Federal and State tax deductions on an old-fashioned adding machine.

Mary Sue supervised the administration and financial part of the businesses, and her husband managed the facilities and government contracts. Wayne went on many field trips and was part of the government report process! (He would say, the child cannot snap his pants but he can dismantle the playground! It was TRUE!)

Nationally, MSue has trained and motivated staff, as well as parents, through her workshops, seminars, TV, and radio shows.

In 1993, MSue traveled with the People To People Citizen Ambassador program from the United Nations in a professional exchange to share ideas and visit with peers in Russia, Lithuania, and Hungary. In St. Petersburg, Russia, the group met with the State Department of Education.

Over the years, MSue has been actively involved in political issues concerning children—not only at the state level but also going to Washington, DC several times as an advocate for children.

Among the many committees MSue has served on are the ASU Revision Childcare and Guidance Curriculum Committee and the AZ Dept. of Education’s Early Childhood Assessment Work Group. MSue also served as a board member of the Arizona Childcare Association for many years and has served on the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation Policy Board.

Since its conception, MSue has supported the HERO/STRIVE programs by employing and mentoring high school students. She has served as an advisor to this program.

Named in the Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals for several years and The Elite Who’s Who Among Outstanding Female Executives “For Her Leading Abilities to Achieve Excellence” in 1999.

Having had many hands-on experiences in the childcare setting, also with the Montessori approach, and completing the CDA (Child Development Associate program), completing the CCP (Child Care Professional program), and completing the NAC (National Administration Credential), MSue wanted a college degree. She did graduate—with honors—earning an Early Childhood Education degree. One morning she picked up her graduation robe and then went to the Social Security office to sign up for benefits… all in the same hour!

Over the years, MSue served the Early Childhood community as a CDA, CCP, and NAC trainer. She was also a national verifier for NECPA (National Early Childhood Program Accreditation). She was certified to teach CPR and First Aid and was trained by The National Library Association to teach a parent literacy awareness program.

The Watsons' schools have primarily been located in low-income, minority areas, thus giving MSue, as the Owner/Director, opportunities to encourage and educate parents of varied ethnic backgrounds. In one school, at one time, we had children who were refugees from 17 different countries.

MSue has become proficient in the areas of classroom management, parent/staff training, and business administration—lending this expertise relevant to even the Head Start program.

MSue devoted her career to making thousands of children, their parents, and their staff feel loved and secure. After spending 60 years in the Early Childhood field, Mary Sue has recently retired.

Mary Sue married her high school sweetheart at just 16 years old and, 64 years later, they are still happily married—a testament to their enduring love and partnership. Together, they raised three sons and are the proud grandparents of four grandsons and five granddaughters.