For Amanda O’Day, education wasn’t just about earning a degree– it was about finding her passion, making a difference, and building a business that would impact young lives for years to come.
A graduate of Mid Michigan College’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program, Amanda is now the owner of Ms. Panda’s Play & Learn Children’s Center, a multi-location childcare business dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education. Her journey is a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and the strong foundation she built at Mid.
Amanda’s inspiration to pursue early childhood education came later in life. As a mother of three, including a son with an immune deficiency, she initially took a substitute teaching position to stay close to her children. That experience sparked a passion for early childhood education, leading her to enroll at Mid Michigan College. With its small class sizes and convenient location, Mid provided the flexibility and support she needed to balance her education with her family life.
“Mid gave me the confidence I needed to start my own business,” Amanda said. “The courses provided the skills, but more than that, they gave me the belief that I could take the leap into something bigger.”
Her time at Mid instilled in Amanda a strong sense of responsibility and accountability– qualities that have been essential in her journey from student to business owner. She credits the ECE program with giving her the confidence to take the leap into entrepreneurship. The structure of the coursework, combined with hands-on learning experiences, helped her develop the skills necessary to start and manage a successful childcare center.
Today, her childcare facilities reflect the values and education Amanda received at Mid Michigan College. She emphasizes attention to detail and the importance of building secure attachments between children and caregivers, creating an environment where young learners feel safe and supported.
Her work is more than just a business– it is a calling. One of the most rewarding moments of her career came when a three-year-old in her care, preparing for surgery, told his mother he needed to be brave “like Brave Fish,” a reference to a story they had read in the classroom. It was in that moment that Amanda saw the true impact of early childhood education and the relationships built within her centers.
“Every time I face a challenge, I remind myself that Mid prepared me for this,” Amanda said. “College may seem hard now, but once you’re done, you’ll see just how much it prepared you for the real world.”
To those considering a career in early childhood education, Amanda encourages them to work hard, make connections, and not settle for average. She believes that success is possible at any stage of life and that education is a powerful tool for creating lasting change.
As a Mid Michigan College graduate, Amanda carries the lesions she learned with her every day. Her story demonstrates that when students choose Mid, they are choosing more than an education– they are choosing a future filled with opportunity.
Whether your heart is set on a career, or you are still finding your passion, #MidMovesYou.
