Bright Horizons Celebrates Over 400 Graduates from its Horizons Teacher Degree Program at Commencement

May 22, 2024 – This past weekend, over 400 Bright Horizons employees who participated in the company’s Horizon Teacher Degree program were recognized in a virtual commencement with friends, family, and colleagues to celebrate the incredible accomplishment of earning either a CDA, an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree through program this year. 

Established in 2018, the Horizons Teacher Degree Program is the first-of-its-kind, free, CDA and college degree benefit program offered to all full-time employees in the company’s early education centers and preschools. Employees participating in the program do not have to pay for any expenses out of pocket, including tuition, fees and books.

This year’s commencement featured remarks from Bright Horizons CEO Stephen Kramer, Bright Horizons COO Mary Lou Burke Afonso and Bright Horizons, VP and Chief Academic Officer Rachel Robertson. Graduates were also treated to a commencement address from Natalie Vega O’Neil, President of the NAEYC Governing Board. 

Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from two graduates about their experience in the Horizons program. Ozra, a teacher at Bright Horizons at South Lake Union in Seattle, WA, shared why she decided to earn her CDA and then continue on to earn her associate degree through the program. While Tesha, a 20-year Bright Horizons veteran and business manager at The Dealey Child Care Center managed by Bright Horizons in Dallas, TX, shared how her son was her inspiration to earn her associate and bachelor’s degree through the program. 

To learn more about the Horizons Teacher Degree Program, visit here.