Linda Granville

Consultant, Together for Kids Project

Linda Granville used her associate’s degree in early education from QCC to carve out an impressive career in early childhood education, providing programs not only at the YWCA of Central Massachusetts, but throughout Worcester’s schools.

“I was able to learn so much working with people at the top of their field,” Ms. Granville said of her time at QCC. When she attended QCC she was a parent, working full-time in the childcare field while taking classes at night. At the YWCA, she worked with her staff to help them complete their bachelor’s degrees.

“Quinsigamond has been instrumental in providing the groundwork for some of our staff who start with a high school education and may need remedial work in math or language arts,” Ms. Granville said. “Some people are natural with children, and we want to help educate them on why certain methods are important to a child’s development.”

After 23 years at the YWCA, serving as Director of Children’s Services since 1997, Ms. Granville recently retired. While at the YWCA, she oversaw children’s services at five locations in central Massachusetts, providing education and care to more than 300 children daily, ages one month to 16. Both early educations sites, in Worcester and Westborough, are accredited through the National Academy for the Education for Young Children. The YWCA was the recipient of a Massachusetts Universal pre-kindergarten grant and an Out of School quality grant to support high-risk children.

She plans to continue consulting work and her work with Together for Kids. Together for Kids Project is a coalition of parents, providers, and advocates, that created a model of support for children with challenging behaviors, which includes mental health consultation, teacher training, parent skill development, and improved communication between the childcare center and parents.

Ms. Granville serves on QCC’s Early Childhood Education Advisory Board, and said she has seen more flexibility in the program from when she attended. She had to take a sabbatical from her job to finish her practical internship for her degree, but now students can still work while completing an internship.

She was as a School Council member for Roosevelt, Wawecus and Elm Park Community Schools was a major stakeholder in the Worcester Public Schools turnaround plans for both Burncoat Prep and Union Hill School. She worked with the schools through her position, providing afterschool and summer programs for students in Worcester.

Ms. Granville believes continuing education is important. She recently received her bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Anna Maria College and throughout her career was involved in workshops and training.

She is a recipient of the Gwen Morgan Leadership Award, United Ways Key Person Award, the Montachusett Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction Award as well as the 2014 Employee of the Year for the YWCA. She and her husband live in Rochdale, part of Leicester, Mass. They have two sons and four grandchildren.