They call me Dr. Day Care. I suppose this nickname comes from desire, at a very early age, to show the people who doubted that I could go to college or run a business. And, a life-long passion to give children a high-quality education at the earliest of ages. This is the story of how I got here and the values that I will bring to the State House if I am able to earn your vote for State Representative on November 3rd.
My family reflects the two communities in House District 46: Lincoln and Pawtucket. My dad’s parents, Patrick Killeen and Mary Smyth came from Ireland in 1925 and settled in Saylesville because Patrick was recruited to play on the Sayles Finishing Plant Soccer team and was employed at Sayles Mills for his entire career. My mom’s parents, Jim Prete from Italy and Anna Whyte, from Scotland, both settled in Fairlawn and raised their family.
As a child, I often heard stories from my parents Jack and Betty Killeen about how hard my grandparents worked to earn a living and to support their family. In many ways, I modeled my work ethic after my grandparents and I am proud that I was named after my 2 grandmothers, Mary and Anna.
My parents chose Lincoln to raise our family with my three brothers and sisters: Billy, Kevin and Carol. I have proudly lived in Lincoln ever since. My elementary education began at Saint Patrick’s School and from 4th grade on I attended Lincoln Public Schools, graduating in 1970 from Lincoln High School. Since my graduation in 1970 to date, I have been an active planning member, along with my peers, for our high school reunions. As my mother used to say, once I become involved in a project, I stay active and committed!
My family was a middle-class family, but I got the message at an early age that there was not a lot of money left over for the extra things in life, so, at the age of 11, I became the neighborhood babysitter. Most of my entire life, since age 9, I have been fascinated by the development of children.
With the money I earned as a babysitter, I immediately helped my family pay for my clothes and shoes. I knew deep in my heart this took the burden off of them to be able to put toward family needs. At this time in my life I did not realize I was developing the needed skills as an entrepreneur.
I was very active in high school; I was a member of Future Business Leaders of America, Dramatics Club and Future Teachers of America. One significant part of Lincoln High that changed my life was applying to be an Educator for a Day, an event that the Future Teachers Association held annually. I applied and was chosen to be Superintendent for a day. I was so thrilled! I received the honor to spend an entire day with Mr. Sheehan, Superintendent of Lincoln Schools in 1969. He was my mentor for a day and we visited every school in the district. Mr. Sheehan answered all my questions about education and from that day forward, I knew I wanted to be a teacher and a leader.
The summer before my high school graduation in 1970 I had a conversation with my parents about college. I had to bring the topic up because I had received that traditional message throughout my life that college was not for girls and girls did not need to go to college. I let them know I wanted to go to college to be a teacher and I had saved up the money to do so. My parents objected and said that they were not going to financially support me in my future education goals.
Despite my parents, I took it upon myself to enroll in Rhode Island Junior College (RIJC). After the first semester I dropped out of college and decided to get married because of the lack of family support and transportation.
At 19 years old, in 1971, I married my high school boyfriend Billy Shallcross. One year later, I gave birth to my son Keith and had saved enough money to purchase my grandparents’ home in Saylesville. After, I returned to work full time and went to the yellow pages in search of child care for my son. I only found one listed. And, it had a waiting list.
So, in 1972 my entrepreneur juices started flowing; I had lots of babysitting experience, high school home economics class taught me child development and I had a need for a care giver for my son. I decided to advertise in my church bulletin and put up a note card in my local drug store advertising babysitting services in my home. I soon found out: not only did I have a need, my neighbors did too! My phone starting ringing immediately and my home child care business began!
In the 1970’s, there were no child care regulations for child care in a home. A good friend, Norma Sutcliffe, who was also caring for children in the neighborhood and I contacted DCYF looking for guidance for caring for children in our homes. Together with DCYF and other state providers, we wrote the first regulations to keep children safe and well cared for in a family child care home.
In 1978, I gave birth to my second child, Amy Shallcross (Vogel) who completed our family. Around the same time my son Keith started kindergarten at Saylesville School, the same elementary school my Dad, siblings and I attended. I immediately became a member of the PTO and also taught CCD confirmation classes, which I continued doing for 22 years at St. Jude Church.
9 years after graduating from Lincoln High School, in 1979, my younger sister Carol Killeen enrolled me in a child development class at CCRI. I thought I was going to our weekly ceramics class when she drove up to CCRI in Lincoln and said “We are going to a college class tonight – we are no longer going to ceramic class.” A year earlier she had begged me to go to CCRI when she enrolled but I told her that I was not college material and reminded her of our Mom & Dad’s message that girls don’t need to go to college. My sister said “Mary Ann, we can go to college; it’s okay, let’s do it together!” Carol and I walked into CCRI that evening and I never looked back.
From 1979 through 1995, while raising a family, leading a growing child care business and volunteering, I earned an Associate Degree from CCRI, a Bachelor Degree from URI and a Master’s Degree from RIC . My Doctorate in Leadership and Child Studies is from Nova Southeastern University.
Looking back on the day spent with Superintendent Sheehan back in 1969 and remembering his lesson about the school committee’s role, I decided to run for Lincoln School Committee in 1988. I was so proud, honored and excited to win my first election. I could not have accomplished this without the support of my family and friends.
Two years later, because of wait lists in my licensed home daycare, I stated a child care business with 2 business partners. The child care centers cared and educated infants, toddlers, preschool, pre-k and school age children. In 2004, I became the President, CEO and founder of Dr. Day Care Learning Centers. Dr. Day Care has since grown to 9 locations in the state of Rhode Island.
To date, I have over 48 years of experience in the early childhood profession and operating a small business. I am very honored to employ nearly 300 committed, talented employees! My learning centers are nationally accredited and offer an integrated special needs program with curriculum aligned to state standards.
One of my favorite volunteer accomplishments was in 2000 when I was asked by members of the Foster Parents Association to lead them out of financial troubles. The association was struggling with minimal funds and membership. A small group of us worked together toward a common goal that was achieved with in 2 years. A big win for all foster families! This association – Foster Forward – continues to thrive today under their present leadership and members.
Later, working with teams of committed individuals to have Rhode Islanders receive their original birth certificate led me to be nominated and receive the Angel in Adoption Federal Award in 2011 for my leadership in this rewarding endeavor.
At this stage in my career, I am ready to take on this new challenge. Many have asked me how I will find the time, and I am proud to say that my daughter Amy Vogel is continuing my legacy as she has been stepping into the leadership role at Dr. Day Care. I am so incredibly lucky to have my family’s support in both my day care business and as I pursue this new role.
My family is the biggest blessing and my number one priority in life. I am married to Ronald Smith, RN and have 3 adult children who all live and raised their families in RI; Keith W. Shallcross & Joann Belisle; Christopher J. Smith & Jennifer Proulx and Amy & Andrew Vogel. My son-in-law Andy is an Army veteran who fought in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and continues to keep me updated on the needs of veterans.
I am very lucky to have five amazing grand-children; Mitchell, Benjamin & Oliver Shallcross, Alta Smith & Avery Vogel and, it is true, grandparenting is the best role in life ever!
Sincerely,
