51
A Star In The Galaxy
WORDS & PICTURES: Jessica Schubick
Pat Spicer has been working
with Manatee County’s youngest
learners for nearly a decade at A
Child’s Galaxy Preschool in Bradenton.
Child care has become something of a
second career for Pat, 72, who retired
from the Longboat Key Club after
working there for almost 20 years in
various capacities.
Pat explained: “I had retired, but there
was nothing to do… just sit around the
house. There’s only so much you can
clean. The house was spotless!”
It was at about that time that Kristen
Terrell, owner of A Child’s Galaxy – whom
Pat has known since Kristen was about
four years old – had a suggestion for her
old babysitter. “Why don’t you come and
work a couple of hours for me?” Kristen
asked her.
Pat remembered. “Then they got short on
girls to take care of students, so I came
and worked for a while. Then I left. And
then I came back, and then I left again…
But I just keep coming back!”
Asked where her passion for
child care comes from,
Pat recalled: “First of
and two sisters – all but one of whom
were younger than me, so I always had to
help out there. Then I had two of my own.
And I took care of my sister’s children
after she passed away. Then they all grew
up and the next thing you know, I had
four grandkids. And now they’re grown,
so I came back here to work with the
babies again! My oldest grandson is 30,
and I have granddaughters who are 22,
19, and 17. So you never know, I could
have some great-grandchildren in the
next few years!”
As Pat discussed her love for caring
for young children – the one-year-old
classroom is her favorite – a toddler came
over and swatted at her with a sticky
hand. “They’re so mean sometimes and
stinky,” Pat said with a smile, laughing as
she continued, “…but sweet as can be.
It was something I could do. Something
I love to do… and I just kept wanting to
do it more!”
come over and hug you for no reason,
that just does it
right there.
This is why I’m here… this is why I’m
here.” Pat said she couldn’t think of doing
anything else at this point in her life. “I just
love it. I don’t ever want to do anything
else. It’s not for everybody – but if you
enjoy it, it’s the most rewarding thing
you can do!”
Pat occasionally enjoys time away
from children, of course. “I go to Vegas
every year at Halloween with my cousin
Phyllis – we dress up!” Pat explained. “At
Halloween, it’s the best place to be. You
can get dressed up and walk all over.
One year we dressed up like Dumb and
Dumber. We were the oldest ones there
and everyone wanted pictures with us!
We play in the casinos during the day. I
even won $27,000 once!”
Asked if she thinks she’ll still be working
with children for much longer, Pat said:
“I’ve already retired from here three
times, but I keep coming back! I’ll never
not want to be with kids. I know one
day I won’t be able to, but I’ll never stop
wanting to!”