Melinda Toler
Hi, my name is Melinda Toler and I have been the Assistant Director/Toddler Teacher at the Early Life Academy for the past ten years.
I was born in Missouri and am number five of six siblings, three sisters and two brothers. I moved to Florida when I was ten years old and have been here for thirty plus years. I graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1992 and received my Associate Degree in Design in 1996. I have lived in Land O’Lakes for thirty years and I have been married to “my best friend,” Eric Toler, for twenty-three years.
Together we have three boys who I am enormously proud to have them call me Mom. We also have three beautiful grand babies who I love to the moon and back. And we cannot forget the seven fur babies, four dogs and three cats, that live with us. I am all about family and love every opportunity to spend time with them.
I became a member in 2007 of First United Methodist Church, all due to the power of my son Shaun. It was during the time when Shaun was working to earn his Cub Scout God and Me Award from the Methodist Church. Shaun attended every session by himself, over the six months, learning about being faithful in his duty to God. At the conclusion of earning the badge, we brought Shaun to a Sunday service here at FUMC-LOL to watch a program by his Cub Scout Pack. We immediately fell in love with the people, this church, and its mission.
As a member, I have volunteered as the 3-4-year-old voyagers’ teacher, a preschool teacher in the nursery, and have helped with many of the Children’s Ministry programs, while also supporting our Youth Ministries and LOLHS 5th Quarter events.
I have also been involved with Special Olympics for thirteen years with our youngest son Chris. And I am very much involved in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Both of these organizations hold a close place in my heart.
Ten years ago, things changed in my life. I was going to have to go back to work and I was not sure what I was going to do. Having not worked outside of the home for so many years, transferring my “Mom skills and knowledge” to prospective employers was challenging.
It was not until Tonya asked, “Had I ever considered being a preschool teacher?” This career had never crossed my mind but I agreed to meet with Becky for an interview. I loved what I heard and how I could shape other children’s lives, much like my own, by working in the ELA. Initially I started working one day per week, which quickly grew into a full-time position. This has been the best decision I could have made. I love my kids, their families, this school, and the staff – which by the way are not my co-workers, they are my family. I do not see this as a job, rather, my calling and my life.
