Tidings

Welcome (Back), Candace Duclos!

Welcome (Back), Candace Duclos!

by Stacey Duggar, Preschool Director

I had the privilege of working with Candace for 13 years when she was our VPK/four-year-old teacher in the preschool (2009 – 2012). I am overjoyed that she is returning to Trinity as the children’s ministry director, and I look forward to working with her. I just know you are going to love her enthusiasm and dedication to the job!

I sat down with Candace to ask her a few questions to help you all get to know her better.

  1. Where were you born?
    Right outside of Washington, D.C. in Suitland, Maryland.
  2. Tell us a little about your family.
    Chris and I have been married for 26 years. We came to Tallahassee as FSU students and stayed. We have four children—Hannah, Wyatt, Chase, and Sarah. Our oldest daughter, Hannah, married Oz Stelter in October of 2021 in a beautiful ceremony held in the sanctuary at Trinity. They now live in Falmouth, Massachusetts, where Hannah serves as the children’s and youth director at John Wesley United Methodist Church. Both of our sons, Wyatt and Chase, are students at FSU, and Sarah is a rising junior at Lincoln High.  I worked at Trinity United Methodist Preschool while my children were attending the preschool. My kids enjoyed Trinity’s NETkids, and we soon found ourselves making Trinity our home church.
      
  3. What is your educational background?
    I am a graduate of FSU with a BS in elementary education and an MS in reading education. I have taught preschool and kindergarten for the last 25 years.  
  4. Why/how did you feel led to apply for this position?
    Working with children of all ages is something I enjoy. I love watching children learn new concepts, apply ideas, and question the world around them. As an educator, I have felt very privileged to be a small part of a child’s learning journey. This position called to me because I felt led to use my skills not just for academic learning but to encourage and lead children to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. My goal is for each child at Trinity to know that they are loved by God and this church family.
  5. What do you like to do when you are not working? Reading, baking, or enjoying time at our family lake house.
  1. What is your favorite Bible verse?
    “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, loving one another…” Ephesians 4:32. This one is my favorite because it is the foundation upon which I strive to live. It reminds me to be kind to everyone I meet and to remember my only goal today is to love others. (Stacey: I remember Candace teaching her children this verse each year when she worked at the preschool.)
  2. Do you have a funny story to share about working with kids?
    So MANY! One of my favorite ones happened this past year. The children ask me how old I am all the time. My standard reply is “106”—to which one of my darlings shouted—“WOW!! You don’t have ANY wrinkles”!   
  3. What are you most looking forward to as you rejoin the staff at Trinity?
    Returning to Trinity feels like coming home. I am looking most forward to working with the children and volunteers. Relationships are essential to our program. I cannot wait to work with those who are led to work with us as we continue to grow a fabulous program.

Image caption: The Duclos family at daughter Hannah’s wedding. Candace is second from the right.

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