Picture of Meela Thao.
Meela Thao sat on a lounge chair next to a window in the Brooklyn Park library. A cup of Caribou coffee in hand. The library was bustling and energetic with children running around and adults reading. Parents guided their children through the rows of bookshelves. The sun beamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating patrons.
Seated inches away from the touch of the sun’s warmth, Thao introduced herself. “My name is Meela Thao, and I am an early childhood educator–– or teacher.”
Thao had just finished teaching her Friday morning class in Minneapolis. A tired but optimistic expression unfolded on her face. “It’s a parent child interaction class. A lot of parents love these classes because they get to connect with other parents and share different parenting styles with one another.” She said.
Thao earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Northwestern University in St. Paul and then began her career as a paraprofessional at Minneapolis Public Schools.
Paraprofessionals support lead teachers by working one-on-one with students, managing classroom behavior, helping prepare lessons, supervising activities, and assisting students with special needs. They serve at all educational levels, from early childhood through high school.
Thao began assisting in a preschool program called High Five, which helps transition 4-year-olds into kindergarten. The experience sparked her love for early childhood development and inspired her to pursue a teaching license.
“It’s fun to see that excitement when they’re so young and really laying that foundation for success.” Thao said enthusiastically. “that’s what made me start to fall in love with the job.”
She went back to school to get her teaching license while continued working as a paraprofessional. After earning her teaching license at Concordia University, Thao returned to Minneapolis Public Schools as a teacher. She taught in a High Five preschool program for four more years before stepping into the role of an early childhood educator.
“Early childhood educators plan and lead educational activities. They work directly with children from birth to age five, develop curriculum, assess developmental progress, conduct family outreach, and create a safe, nurturing learning environment. In the classroom, they take on a leadership role.” She explained.
Thao has spent the past two years working as an early childhood educator, adding on 15 years of experience at Minneapolis Public Schools.
An estimated 425,115 people live in Minneapolis, where 61.6% are white, 18.3% are Black, 5.2% are Asian, and 10.5% are Hispanic or Latino. Thao teaches many students from diverse backgrounds in a community with an average median income of $80,269.
“I work with immigrant families too and they don’t know how or where to start sometimes. I help them understand the system in navigating the world for their children and for themselves as well. I think it’s very powerful for them.” Thao said.
Her eyes kept twinkling as she spoke passionately about the children and parents she works with, never letting the buzzing atmosphere distract her.
“It may seem like we as educators are just playing with the children but there is always a meaning behind everything that we do. I love doing what I do, and it is that even though I don’t know what is going on in a student’s home life, but when they show up for class, I can provide them the time, the space to explore, to be themselves. That is one thing that pushes me to keep going.” She said, smiling and never once doubting her commitment.
As the government disassembles and abandons education, Meela Thao offers a fresh reminder of the hope and courage that many educators still embody. She leads, provides, and compassionately guides children and those who need support—not just as an educator, but as a caring and passionate human being.