About Jessica
Over 40 years of watching children, and the grown-ups who love them, get stuck in the same power struggles. Then finding a better way.
Jessica Shields Flowers has spent her career figuring out what actually works with young children, then teaching it to the adults around them. She started as a preschool teacher in 1980, co-founded Sunbow Preschool in 1982, and spent 19 years directing Vienna Baptist Children's Center in Virginia, an NAEYC-accredited program that grew to 22 faculty and 200 children under her leadership. That work was cited in two books on early childhood leadership, Faith in Children and Taking the Lead: Investing in Early Childhood Leadership for the 21st Century.
She holds a B.A. in Biology from the University of Mississippi and an M.Ed. in early childhood education from George Mason University. After moving to Charleston in 2004, she trained directly under psychologist Dr. Becky Bailey, founder of Conscious Discipline, and became South Carolina's first Conscious Discipline® Certified Instructor.
Today she works as an independent early childhood consultant, coaching programs and families directly rather than through any single organization. She's trained and coached for South Carolina First Steps 4K, Spartanburg County First Steps, Childcare Resources of Indian River County in Florida, and New Castle County Head Start in Delaware, and has presented at the NAEYC National Conference. She lives on Johns Island, SC.
She previously served on the board of directors for the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry and partnered with the museum on free community sessions for parents of infants and toddlers. With new leadership now at the museum, she'd welcome bringing that kind of community programming back to museums, libraries, nonprofits, and community organizations.
Outside the classroom
Jessica brings the same steady nerve to a ropes course as she does to a room full of overwhelmed parents. She'll tell you it's the same muscle: stay calm, breathe, take the next step.
Credentials
M.Ed. + B.A.
Early childhood education, George Mason University. Biology, University of Mississippi.
40+ Years
From preschool teacher in 1980 to national consultant today, with 19 years directing an NAEYC-accredited center along the way.
First in South Carolina
South Carolina's first Conscious Discipline® Certified Instructor, trained directly by its founder, Dr. Becky Bailey.
National Reach
NAEYC National Conference presenter, with coaching for SC First Steps, Head Start, and independent programs across 24 states.