Exploring Life & Business with Brigitte Buckingham of Children’s Rocky Mountain School

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brigitte Buckingham.

Hi Brigitte, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Brigitte Buckingham, and I am an immigrant from Germany. I was born in Poland and moved to Germany as a refugee when I was five years old. For the next 15 years, Germany became my home—the place where I became a sister to two brothers, formed meaningful friendships with people from all over the world, and began my journey in early childhood education.

After completing an internship at a Reggio Emilia-inspired program in my hometown of Hamm, I decided to take a break from education and travel to the United States as an au pair. My goal was to learn the language, explore the world, and eventually become a flight attendant. That adventure brought me to Aspen, Colorado, where I experienced intense culture shock in my first two months. I was ready to return home. But my mother, who always believed in my strength, encouraged me to stay and finish what I had started—and I’m so grateful she did.

Finishing my au pair year was truly one of the best things that could have happened to me. I became more fluent in English, built friendships with people from all over the world, and spent a wonderful year with my host family—an experience that shaped me both personally and professionally.

When I completed my au pair year in August 2004, never imagining that during that year I would meet the love of my life Willis and make the Roaring Fork Valley my home for the next 22 years (and counting). After, my visa expired, I returned briefly to Germany—only for my boyfriend (Willis) to follow me there and propose. In early 2005, I returned to the U.S. to marry him and begin a new chapter.

Although I had intended to leave the field of education, it found its way back into my life. I began working at a preschool in Aspen, where I was fortunate to meet my mentor Tina and my dear friend Tsvetana, who remains an inspiration to me. I later became a mother to my son Hayden in 2008 and my daughter Savannah in 2010. Wanting to stay home with my children, I opened a FFN program while continuing to teach part-time.

My passion for early childhood education led me to the Early Childhood Network, where I was offered a position as an Early Childhood Coach. I had the opportunity to support programs from Carbondale to Grand Junction, guiding them through Colorado Shines ratings and helping them grow in quality and confidence. While I loved this role, I missed the deep relationships with families and children that come from being in a classroom.

In 2021, a close friend who I had once helped begin her early childhood journey encouraged me to apply for her position as the Director at Children’s Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) in Carbondale—a small, beautiful Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool founded by Debbie Condalo, who believed deeply in the “100 languages of children.” With my Reggio Emilia background and my love for working directly with children and families, it was the perfect fit.

As an immigrant who had to learn German as a child and English as adult and navigate the professional world from the ground up, I know the value of being seen, supported, and believed in. I am the person I am today because of the mentors, friends, and community members and my husband who lifted me up—and I strive to do the same for others. I believe every family, student, and teacher has incredible potential. My mission is to continue to build a high-quality, inclusive early childhood program where all families feel welcome—regardless of the language they speak or the challenges they face.

At Children’s Rocky Mountain School, we are proud to support a diverse community of families. Thanks to the state’s Universal Preschool initiative, CCCAP, and the incredible generosity of our families, board members, and community sponsors, we’re able to keep tuition accessible. Support from organizations like Alpine Bank and Mountain Paw Vet, along with vital funding from the Circle Grant, Aspen Community Foundation, Aspen Thrift Shop, El Pomar Foundation, and the Town of Carbondale, has made it possible for only 37% of our families to pay full tuition. In a region where the cost of housing and food continues to rise, this level of support is truly life-changing.

Running a preschool—especially one rated Level 5 by Colorado Shines—requires more than tuition to survive. It truly takes a village. And just like raising children, sustaining a high-quality early childhood program demands the collective effort of our entire community.

One of the biggest challenges we face is staff retention. Early childhood professionals are often underpaid and undervalued, despite the critical role they play. My goal is to grow and mentor my team, helping young educators build lasting careers in this field and—someday—take the reins of this beautiful Reggio Emilia-inspired school that we all love.

Though my original plan was to travel the world and leave education behind, life had other plans. And I couldn’t be more grateful. This work is my calling, and I’m proud to be part of something so meaningful and deeply rooted in love, learning, and community.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
At Children’s Rocky Mountain School, we’re proud to support a diverse community of families. Thanks to Colorado’s Universal Preschool initiative, CCCAP, the dedication of our board and families, and the generosity of local sponsors—including Alpine Bank, Mountain Paw Vet, and grants from the Circle Grant, Aspen Community Foundation, Aspen Thrift Shop, El Pomar, and the Town of Carbondale—only 37% of our families pay full tuition. In a region where housing and food costs are among the highest in the state, this level of support is absolutely life-changing.

And yet, these supports are not enough.

Like many early childhood programs across the country, we face enormous challenges. Widespread funding cuts and limited operational funding make it nearly impossible for nonprofit preschools like ours to stay sustainable. While we work hard to keep tuition costs manageable for families, we also struggle to pay our staff a living wage—despite the incredible, skilled work they do each day. The cost of living in the Roaring Fork Valley is incredibly high, and without competitive wages or benefits, it’s difficult to retain qualified teachers. Many are forced to leave the profession or relocate entirely.

Running a high-quality, Level 5-rated preschool takes more than passion—it takes real investment. Tuition alone does not cover the true cost of care. It takes fundraising, advocacy, community partnerships, and state support to make it all work. Just like raising a child, sustaining early childhood programs truly takes a village.

As you know, we’re big fans of Children’s Rocky Mountain School. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Children’s Rocky Mountain School Inc. is a nonprofit preschool serving children ages 3 to 6 in the Roaring Fork Valley. Founded in 1989, the school was originally located on the Colorado Rocky Mountain School campus, providing an enriched, experiential program while engaging high school students in early childhood education.

After 27 years, CRMS Preschool relocated to 126 Main Street in downtown Carbondale, CO, in 2016. This new location offers a dynamic learning environment with an art center, dramatic play, music and movement areas, a sensory station, a full kitchen, and dedicated literacy, math, and science spaces. The outdoor area offers full grown trees, a kids bike path, playhouse, a garden area, sandboxes , and balance blocks and rocks.

Being in town allows for hands-on learning experiences, including nature walks, cross-country skiing, projects at the Carbondale Clay Center, and visits to the library, parks, True Nature, the Launchpad, Carbondale Rec Center and local businesses.

CRMS serves a diverse community, welcoming families from Rifle to Aspen, regardless of income, abilities, or cultural background. We support a wide socioeconomic range, including families utilizing UPK and CCCAP. With four bilingual teachers and a bilingual creative curriculum, our environment fosters inclusivity. We collaborate with local resources and provide support for families facing financial challenges, demonstrating our commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
No matter where you’re from or how your journey began, if you have a passion for early childhood education, go for it. Believe in yourself. Trust your community, your family, and your team. There will be hiccups along the way—but know that you are not alone.

Running a nonprofit early childhood program is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also complex and challenging. There’s a lot to learn—from licensing requirements to budgeting, staff support, and family engagement. But the impact you make on children, families, and your community will outweigh every obstacle.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your regional coaching team, licensing specialists, and community networks are here to guide you through the process. Tap into those supports—they exist for a reason. Learn everything you can. Attend trainings, explore every funding stream available in your area, and never stop growing.

And most importantly: take care of your team. Be present. Listen. Create a workplace culture where teachers feel valued, supported, and heard. Give them the time, space, and breaks they need to show up fully. Remember—they are the heart of your program.

Make your school a place where families feel safe and welcomed. Parents entrust you with their most precious gift—their child. Let them know you see that. Let them feel that love in every classroom, every interaction, every day.

Build relationships with other directors. Yes, this is a business—and yes, filling your spots matters—but don’t let competition isolate you. Every director, no matter how long they’ve been in the field, is still navigating challenges. Connections are key. Collaboration is powerful.

As my board president reminds me often—you can’t do it all. Running a preschool is like managing a post office: the mail never stops coming. Make time to rest. Shut the computer. Let the emails wait. Your family, your health, and your well-being matter. You can’t lead with a full heart if you’re running on empty. Be the example your team deserves.

This work is not easy, but it is deeply meaningful. And you are making a difference—every single day.

Pricing:

• $85 per day

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.childrensrockymountainschool.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildrensRockyMountainSchool/

Image Credits
Brigitte Buckingham