After breaking new ground in GIPS Early Childhood Education, Amy Richards has shared that she will be moving on to new professional opportunities at the end of the school year. We are, of course, sad to see her go but are incredibly grateful for the advocacy, progress, and innovative education she has brought to the O’Connor Learning Center and the Preschool programs at Grand Island Public Schools. 

Ms. Richards served as Director of Early Childhood Education and the O’Connor Learning Center for four years. Throughout her years leading Early Childhood Education she remained a strong, compassionate voice in providing individualized, high quality learning experiences for students. She was instrumental in the process of opening the new O’Connor Learning Center which reimagined an abandoned Shopko store into a state-of-the-art Preschool facility. Those that have had the opportunity to work with her know first-hand the positive impact she has brought to her staff, students, and families. 

We cannot thank Ms. Richards enough for all she has done to propel Early Childhood Education to the forefront for our district and the Grand Island Community. 

Richards reflected,

“The commitment of the school board, district leaders, teachers, para-educators, and support staff and specialists to providing individualized, high quality early learning experiences is tremendous. It has been an honor to work alongside these dedicated professionals throughout my time with the GIPS.

I am grateful to Grand Island Public Schools and know the district will continue to move forward providing high quality early childhood experiences so our youngest learners will not only be prepared for success in kindergarten but throughout their lives.”

As Ms. Richards moves on to the next exciting chapter of her career, GIPS will begin the process of finding the next visionary leader of the O’Connor Learning Center and Early Childhood Education efforts. We will share more as the process develops in the coming months. 

Grand Island Public Schools is incredibly grateful to Ms. Richards for making a true lasting impact in the lives of countless students and families.