Hanna Copeland Found Her Calling in Early Childhood Education

“I’ve always worked with kids,” she said. “Even when I was younger, I thought about becoming a teacher and later in life, I realized that’s still what I want to do.”

Hanna is a 2024 Aims Community College graduate with multiple  Early Childhood Education Certificates. She is now a lead teacher at Community Preschool in Loveland. Hanna is preparing to step into a new role as the school's director in the upcoming academic year. Her journey from graduation to leadership highlights a steady career progression.

Building a Foundation at Aims

Before coming to Aims, Hanna already held a degree in agricultural business. But when she decided to pursue early childhood education professionally, she turned to Aims to gain the certifications she needed to enter and grow in the field.

She earned her Early Childhood assistant teacher and lead teacher certificates and ultimately completed her director certification. “I basically worked up the line,” Hanna said. “Everything I did at Aims was early childhood-focused. It gave me exactly what I needed to move forward.”

What stood out most to Hanna was how the coursework directly translated into real-world skills. “I loved how hands-on everything was,” she said. “We weren’t just learning theory, we were building things we actually use, like curriculum plans and emergency procedures. I still pull from those projects today.”

Hanna credits Aims faculty for their strong community support and the value of mentorship in education.

To pay it forward, Hanna offers words of wisdom to people considering or working on a career in early childhood education at Aims. “Take it seriously and enjoy it,” she said. “Most of what you learn, you’re going to use when you get into the field.”

That advice reflects the same approach Hanna brings to her own classroom one rooted in purpose, preparation and passion.

Guiding Young Minds Through Play and Growth

Hanna has had a relationship with Community Preschool for many years, beginning as a parent when her own children attended the school.

In her current role as lead teacher, Hanna spends her days guiding two- and three-year-olds through play-based learning. Preschool provides children with the foundation they need to succeed academically and socially. Hanna explained that children learn essential skills, such as using scissors, writing their names, recognizing letters and the alphabet, and building skills through hands-on activities. Just as important, they learn how to sit, listen and participate in a classroom setting, skills that prepare them for kindergarten. “By the time they get there, they’re actually able to do most of the kindergarten checklist,” Hanna said, noting that preschool helps children gain independence and confidence in ways they may not at home.

Hanna’s students are a continuing source of inspiration and their presence keeps her motivated. “I love their imagination,” she said. “They’re just amazing little human beings. Children will surprise you every single day, even when you think you’re prepared.”

Her proudest moments are seeing how children evolve over the school year. “On day one, there’s usually a child who doesn’t want to let go of their parents,” she said, and then, by Christmas, they’re excited to come to class. That’s my greatest joy.”

This fall, she will take the next step in her career by transitioning into the director role at the Community Preschool. “It was always the plan,” she said. When the current director announced her retirement, she asked Hanna to step into the role.

From the start, her goal has been to move into a more administrative role. For Hanna, the opportunity is about more than advancement; she is aware of her potential impact. “I love working with both kids and parents,” she said. “I love the challenge of problem-solving and running a program.”

In the future, Hanna can see herself returning to the classroom in a new way, guiding college students and aspiring teachers as they begin their own journeys in early childhood education. “Someday I want to teach college students,” she said. Hanna also expressed interest in serving as a guest speaker to share the mentorship she received as a student. 

Reflecting on where she might be without Aims, Hanna is clear about the difference it made. “I would probably still be a stay-at-home mom,” she said. “Now I get to influence more children, not just my own.” 

Through Aims, Hanna found a way to turn her passion into a career and a love of education that she is passing along to others.