The preschool room hums with soft chatter, tiny footsteps against tile floors as blocks clatter and picture books rustle. In one corner, a pair of preschoolers argue over who gets the red crayon; in another, a child clings to a stuffed animal after a tough morning. Amid the noise and unpredictable emotions, one student moves with an almost instinctive calm. Without hesitation, they crouch down, level with the children, their voice soft and steady as they ease tensions and redirect chaos. For the kids, this moment feels like a crisis. For Rowen Canabal, it is exactly where they feel most at home.

Canabal’s passion for childcare has grown throughout their time at WEGO, especially after joining the child development pathway. The classroom experience confirmed that working with children is not just something they enjoy, but something that feels purposeful. Canabal sees childcare as a chance to model patience, empathy, and support in every interaction.

“Patience and compassion are the key to success,” Canabal said. “That doesn’t change the fact that all of the kids that I meet, I care about.”

Brittney Bauer, child development teacher, believes Canabal is someone she can always count on. Whether the preschool is chaotic or calm, Rowen steps in with leadership and confidence far beyond their age. Bauer calls them one of the most dependable students she has ever had.

“She is stellar. She takes initiative. She does everything correctly. She helps out where needed. I don’t even have to tell her what to do. She automatically does it,” Bauer said.

For Canabal, challenges in the preschool are not frustrations; they are opportunities to teach. Canabal believes children deserve guidance, not punishment, especially when they are still learning how to express themselves. Canabal tries to meet every child with understanding because they know kindness makes the biggest impact.

“[Children] don’t understand that it’s not right, you can’t punish them because they don’t understand it. You’ve got to teach them so that they can understand it,” Canabal said. “Kindness costs nothing.”

Classmate and friend Stephanie Bustamante noticed Canabal’s kindness from the first day they met. She says Canabal is the type of person who helps others without hesitation and makes difficult moments feel manageable.

“My first impression of her was that she would help anyone who looked like they were lost, and she would try to help them,” Bustamante said.

Bustamante has also seen Canabal take charge in the preschool when things become overwhelming. Instead of panicking, Canabal calmly guides both the children and the high school students through difficult moments.

“I’ve seen Rowen get along with kids, as well as she knows how to control the preschool when it’s getting out of hand, and the students don’t know what to do,” Bustamante said.

Bauer agrees that Canabal’s future in childcare is wide open. She believes Canabal could succeed not only as a teacher, but in any role that supports children emotionally or socially. No matter the setting, Bauer is confident Rowen will make a meaningful difference.

“It really could be in an office if a kid needs, like, some emotional, social help,” Bauer.

For Canabal, the goal is simple: to ensure every child feels supported, understood, and never alone. Canabal wants kids to know what they are worth and grow into confident people who do not need outside approval to believe in themselves. Everything Canabal does, every interaction, every lesson, is grounded in compassion.

“I want to make sure that my students and everyone that I meet is able to at least know that I am there,” Canabal said.