About Me

Hi! I'm Jolene Berger, or as the kids call me, Ms. Jo! I have been married for almost 30 years and am the proud mom of three adult children and grammy to one precious grandson. Working with children has been a part of my life for more than 30 years. My experience includes operating an in-home daycare and preschool when my children were young, homeschooling my children for over 20 years, leading co-ops, assisting at a local preschool and teaching survival swim lessons to young children in our community for the past nine years.

His words stopped me in my tracks. They challenged me to reflect not only on my role as a parent, but on how we, as adults, view and interact with children. We spend so much time teaching children to express themselves, but do we truly take the time to listen? Do we make them feel seen, heard, and valued?

That moment stayed with me and helped shape the philosophy I carry with me today: children are capable of far more than we often give them credit for. They are naturally curious, creative, thoughtful, and eager to learn. They deserve to be respected, nurtured, and given the freedom to explore the world in ways that are meaningful to them.

It is this belief and a vision that was placed on my heart that inspired me to create Journey & Joy: a place where children are nurtured with love and kindness, where their voices matter, where curiosity is celebrated, and where they are free to explore, create, and grow into the unique individuals they were created to be. Helping children grow in confidence, curiosity, and independence has become one of my greatest joys.