Staff Spotlight: Iranique Anderson

Years at Children’s Council:

1.5 years

How I contribute to the success of Children’s Council: 

I have a solid background in early childhood education, starting my career as a teaching assistant at two children’s lab schools and child development centers. This hands-on experience allowed me to explore various areas of education through an internship tied to my degree from UT Austin. I originally majored in Applied Learning and Development with a focus on early childhood education, but later pivoted to Youth and Community Studies.  

After that, I joined Teach For America as a middle school teacher, which was a transformative experience for me. While I was teaching for about five years, I also pursued my Master’s in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Along the way, I held various roles, including instructional coach for a well-known consulting agency, department lead at my schools, and lead school data reporting specialist for an emerging EdTech company. Most recently, I served as a community impact coach in Texas where I focused on DEI frameworks, adult leadership development, and transformative educational practices.  

I believe my unwavering commitment to children, families, and communities has been key to my success at Children’s Council. I genuinely feel that everyone involved in a child’s life deserves access to the resources and services that can help them thrive. My goal every day is to turn that belief into reality in my role, within my team, and across the entire agency.

What is your proudest moment at Children’s Council? 

One of my proudest moments was when I collaborated with engineers and developers to create the innovative Space Check Tool. This proprietary tool ensures we stay compliant with health and safety regulations for both small and large family child care homes. It significantly streamlined our process, reducing what used to take hours or even days to just a matter of minutes, which has made my team’s work so much easier and more efficient.  

What inspires your work each day?

I draw inspiration from our shared commitment to the agency’s mission and values. I’ve worked in several nonprofits, and I can genuinely say that the impact we make here is real. We’re not just talking about change; we’re actively practicing our theory of change and seeing the results in our work.  

What’s your favorite thing about working at Children’s Council?

My favorite part of working at Children’s Council is the incredible sense of community. This is the first job where I’ve felt such a strong, visible culture of support and inclusivity. Everyone genuinely values each other, and that collaboration really drives home the idea that we can achieve so much more together.  

What is the greatest challenge in your position?

One of my greatest challenges is constantly seeking new ways to evolve and innovate our work to enhance our clients’ experiences and satisfaction. Every change we make has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of children, parents, and providers. It’s crucial that we keep engaging with them to collect feedback and remain responsive to their needs. 

What would you do with a large donation? 

If I received a large donation, I would want to invest it back into our dedicated staff to recognize their hard work and commitment. I would also ensure that it supports families and child care providers directly, enhancing their opportunities and experiences.