Congratulations and Farewell to Jean Wiseman on her Retirement

It gives me great satisfaction to congratulate Jean Wiseman on her 17 years with Brightside Up and wish her a relaxing and rewarding retirement. We all recognize, respect, and appreciate the valuable contributions she has made to the child care and health industries.  It is painful to say goodbye to our colleague and a dear friend. We express our sincerest gratitude to Jean for her incredible contributions, not only to Brightside Up but to the child care community.

Jean joined Brightside Up (then the Capital District Child Care Council) in 2003 as one of the first Health Care Consultants in New York State.  She helped define the initiative that has been successful in supporting child care staff to promote healthy and safe environments for young children. Jean has spent the last 17 years sharing expert information, resources, and a helping hand to ensure that young children have every advantage for healthy growth and development. 

Jean’s work has been effective in increasing health and safety policies and practices, children’s immunization rates, and environmental health practices within early childhood and school-age programs operating in the Capital Region.  In fact, most of the staff at Brightside Up get annual flu shots due to her persuasive urging!

While at Brightside Up, Jean served as Director of Health Education Services.  Her hard work, determined-spirit, and ability to motivate enabled our team to set, meet, and even exceed unprecedented goals. Always a careful planner, Jean established protocol for accountability that will sustain the organization long into the future. 

Jean's impact on Brightside Up and the field of child care goes far beyond what can be seen on paper—working alongside her has been a profoundly enjoyable experience and I know her absence will be felt by all of us.

Always responsive and nurturing, Jean is known by many child care programs as “our nurse”.  She is loved.  She is respected.  She has touched all of us.  We bid a reluctant farewell to Jean – an exceptional leader and mentor.

Thank you,

Abbe Kovacik & the staff at Brightside Up