JWB’s Fourth KidsFirst Award Winner is the “Toddler Whisperer”

During the September JWB Board Meeting, Chief Operating Officer Karen Boggess recognized and celebrated JWB’s fourth and final KidsFirst Award Winner of 2025: Johanny Crisostomo.     
 
Johanny is an Infant/Toddler Teacher at R’Club Early Learning Academy. For 17 years, she has poured her heart into creating an environment where little ones can grow, thrive, and build the foundation for lifelong learning.  
 
Johanny’s journey is inspiring. She started with just a high school diploma and a love for children. Over the years, while raising her own family, she earned her CDA credential, her associate degree with honors, and, most recently, her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education leadership—Summa Cum Laude! All while working full-time and mentoring others.  
 
She excels at creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for the children; using play and structured activities based on age-appropriate curricula, Johanny fosters their social, emotional, and cognitive development. Her team lovingly refers to her as the “Toddler Whisperer!”      
 
She was announced as a KidsFirst awardee at a surprise presentation in August among her peers at R’Club Lemon Street. We’re proud to call Johanny a KidsFirst Award winner, alongside Paul Kleeman, Gabriella Moran, and Pilar Bradley. We are excited to celebrate each of them at the 2025 KidsFirst Awards Luncheon in October, where we’ll also announce our Dillinger-McCabe “Putting Children First” Leadership Award winner.