About Us
About Rise Above
Our Story
As owners of “Rise Above Early Learning Center, we thank you for the opportunity to learn more about us, the staff, and our center!
We acquired this center, formerly Whole Child Development Center, in January 2024. The center has been serving the community for over 20 years. Our goal in January was to modernize and create a family-owned experience for our staff and families. We are thriving (but still a work-in-progress) and super excited for families and children to experience our culture and atmosphere!
Our staff is very important to us! They fulfill the mission of our center, and we are proud of each person and their unique contributions to the learning and relational experiences. We have educators with over 10 years of experience at this Center. Our newer educators bring experiences from within the industry or some just beginning their career.
Holly began her early childcare development career over 25 years ago working with infants through school-age children, after procuring a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has worked directly in the classroom with all age groups and has served as a program director in Missouri and Kansas. Holly has worked recently as an Early Childhood Quality Specialist for the University of Missouri-Kansas City to provide coaching and mentoring for childcare administrators and owners throughout the state of Missouri. She continues her education in various certifications to extend professional knowledge in the most up-to-date studies in developmentally appropriate practices of early childhood.
Charles is a VP – Operations Manager at Commerce Bank. He travels to the downtown home office location several days a week. Before Commerce, Charles has also worked for Waddell & Reed, DST/SS&C, and National Advisors Trust Company, totaling over 25 years of financial services experience in call centers and operations. In his free time, Charles loves fitness and nutrition, personal training, projects (mini ones!), and volunteer time with Holly at Westside Family Church.
Charles and Holly both love family bonding time with their three daughters, with the youngest just graduating high school in 2024. Tuesday nights are family nights at the Pointer household to fellowship and share a meal as a family. The trend caught on quickly to other family members, who are always welcomed.
We welcome you as family to the Rise Above Early Learning Center!
Our Philosophy
We believe children are natural learners, curious, capable, and full of ideas
Child-Led Learning
Children learn best when they are active participants in their own education. At Rise Above, we follow the child’s curiosity, observing, listening, and building experiences around their interests and ideas. We see every child as a capable thinker with their own unique voice.
How We Teach
At Rise Above, we draw from two powerful educational philosophies: the Project Approach and the Reggio Emilia approach. Together, they shape an in-depth, investigative style of learning that connects classroom experiences to the real world. Children work collaboratively to explore meaningful topics, building critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills along the way.
Learning Through Play
Play is where learning comes alive. Through loose parts, open-ended materials, and intentional environments both indoors and out, children at Rise Above develop creativity, imagination, and social-emotional skills every single day.