Pansy Henry

1. What is your role and what does a typical day look like for you?  

I am a Resource Educator in the Every Child Belongs program at Toronto Children’s Services. I work in the Scarborough area in licensed child care programs with children who have disabilities and additional support needs. A typical day involves collaborating with Early Childhood Educators and Assistants, diverse families, and other child care service providers to support children’s social, emotional, and developmental needs.

2. How did you find your way into municipal work?  

I found my way into municipal work in 1988 when I responded to a job posting for an Early Childhood Educator role in a municipal child care centre. Through this role, I partnered with a Toronto Children’s Services program manager to conduct environmental assessments of municipal child care centres using the Harms and Clifford quality assessment tool.

3. What part of your work has the biggest impact on your community?  

As a Black Resource Educator, the biggest impact of my work is being a trusted advocate for Black children with intersectional identities and their families. I help create spaces where Black families feel seen, heard, and supported, while guiding educators to better understand children’s behaviour through a culturally responsive and strengths-based lens.

4. What is one moment, project, or accomplishment you’re proud of?  

I am proud to serve on the Toronto Children’s Services Confronting Anti Black Racism Advisory Circle and the Every Child Belongs Discussion Group, where I contribute lived experience and professional insight to advance equity for Black children, families, and educators. I am also currently supporting a community-based research project with ASE Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities to identify barriers faced by Black families of children with disabilities or additional support needs in early learning and child care programs.

5. What’s something people might be surprised to learn about your job? 

People are often surprised by how holistic our work is. We engage with advisory committees and community hubs to identify the best ways to meet community needs. We also reinforce Assessment for Quality Improvement standards to support high quality child care and collaborate with other professionals to help child care operators deliver inclusive, accessible, and equitable programs.

6. What do you enjoy most about serving your municipality?  

What I enjoy most is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families in my community. I value building trusting relationships, advocating for equity, and supporting educators and families in creating inclusive and responsive environments where all children, especially those from marginalized communities, can thrive.

7. What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?  

I am excited to continue advancing the quality of extra support needs and special needs services by addressing anti Black racism through my work with the Every Child Belongs Discussion Group and the ASE Community Foundation. This work aligns with the strategic priorities outlined in the Children’s Services 2025 to 2030 Service Plan.

8. Anything else you’d like people to know about your role, your team, or your municipality? 

Our team is diverse and multidisciplinary, bringing a wide range of lived experiences, cultural perspectives, and professional backgrounds. We also have Resource Consultants assigned specifically to EarlyON Child and Family programs, strengthening supports for children and families across the system.