Every Child Has a Story. Every Family Does Too.
Meet 2026 Ann Babb Outstanding Service Award Recipient Lindsay Zimmerman
By Megan Pedersen
Left to Right: Leidia Siffledeen (Supervisor), Ann Babb, Lindsey Zimmerman, Erin Gobolos (CEO)
When Lindsay Zimmerman talks about teaching, one theme surfaces again and again: family.
She talks about parents navigating uncertainty, children discovering confidence through play, and the relationships that develop over the course of a school year. For Lindsay, those relationships are every bit as important as the lessons happening at circle time or the milestones celebrated in the classroom.
“It’s important not to make assumptions, every family comes from a different place. You have to meet people where they’re at.”
That perspective has shaped Lindsay's 17-year career at ABC Head Start Society and reflects the qualities recognized by the Ann Babb Outstanding Service Award. Named in honour of Ann Babb's extraordinary commitment to children, families, and colleagues, the award celebrates individuals whose compassion, leadership, and dedication leave a lasting impact on the people around them.
This year, that honour belongs to Lindsay.
A Career That Started Exactly Where She Wanted
Some educators discover teaching over time. Lindsay always knew. "I was one of those kids," she laughs. "Everyone would come over to my house and I'd make them sit down in my ‘classroom’ and tell my friends the lesson plan, because I was the teacher."
After graduating from the University of Alberta in 2007, Lindsay began her career at ABC Head Start as a Designated Special Needs Assistant (DSNA), providing one-on-one support to a child in the classroom. Working alongside experienced educator and mentor Jaye-Dee Bradshaw gave Lindsay an invaluable opportunity to learn the rhythms of early childhood education, observe a seasoned teacher in action, and begin developing the thoughtful, relationship-centred approach that continues to define her teaching today.
Seventeen years later, she's still at ABC Head Start, now inspiring a new generation of children and families. Over nearly two decades, classrooms have changed, programs have evolved, and her role has grown. One thing, however, has remained constant: her belief that children learn best when the adults around them feel supported too.
Beyond the Classroom
Ask Lindsay what a typical day looks like, and she describes classrooms filled with movement, conversation, and play.
There is structure, but there is also flexibility. Children are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and follow their curiosity while educators meet them where they are developmentally. "It's about nurturing their love of learning," Lindsay explains. "That's how you build confidence and school readiness."
For Lindsay, those early years are about much more than preparing children academically. They are an opportunity to help children discover that school is a place where they belong and where they are capable of succeeding.
Just as importantly, they are an opportunity to build trust with the people who know each child best.
Getting to Know the Whole Family
Throughout our conversation, Lindsay returned to one idea more than any other: every child has a story, and so do the people who care for them.
As ABC Head Start's approach has evolved, so too has the role of its teachers. Conversations about assessments, developmental milestones, and school readiness have become a natural part of the educator's role. Through ABC Head Start's Learning Beyond the Classroom programming, teachers may also spend time in the homes of eligible families, sharing strategies that build on classroom learning and strengthen the connection between home and school.
Lindsay embraces that responsibility.
“I want families to feel safe with me, I want them to know we’re here to help.”
She speaks warmly about getting to know parents, learning their stories, and understanding the circumstances that shape each family's experience. Over the years, she has learned that no two families are alike, and that empathy often begins by listening.
"I always try to tell parents they're doing a good job," she says. "A lot of families come in feeling frustrated or feeling like they're not doing enough."
She hopes they leave believing something different.
"I want every family to know their child is going to be successful at something. Whatever challenges they're facing now won't define them. Every child has strengths."
The Moments That Stay With You
When asked about a moment that stands out from this year, Lindsay doesn't mention a lesson or a classroom activity.
Instead, she remembers Literacy Backpack Day.
Hundreds of families came together to celebrate the end of the school year. One family in particular had been on Lindsay's mind throughout the year. Their son had experienced significant emotional regulation challenges, and as newcomers to Canada, they were navigating assessments, new systems, and the many changes that come with settling into a new country.
Although Lindsay and the team had worked hard to support the child, she sometimes wondered how the family was feeling. They hadn't been especially vocal throughout the year, and like many educators, Lindsay found herself questioning whether she could have done more.
Then the mom and her sister arrived at Literacy Backpack Day.
As Lindsay handed the child's mother a backpack and a framed class photo, she watched her quietly stop. She set everything down and wiped away tears.
"It completely surprised me," Lindsay recalls. "I hadn't expected that reaction."
In that moment, Lindsay realized the family's quietness hadn't been disappointment at all. They were deeply moved. Seeing their son celebrated, included, and thriving meant more than she had realized.
"We're often hard on ourselves," Lindsay says. "You think, 'I could have done more.' Then something like that happens and you realize maybe you did make more of a difference than you knew."
The little boy will return to Lindsay's classroom next year, giving them another year to continue building his confidence and strengthening the relationship with his family.
Kindness That Lasts
If Lindsay could leave every child with one lesson, it wouldn't be about reading or math.
It would be kindness.
Being a good friend. Learning to share. Looking out for one another.
Those lessons, she believes, stay with children long after they leave preschool. The same could be said of the relationships she builds with families. When asked what she hopes people remember about her years from now, Lindsay's answer is simple.
"I just try to be kind to everybody. And accepting."
After spending time with her, it's easy to understand why those qualities have earned her this year's Ann Babb Outstanding Service Award.
Like Ann, Lindsay understands that meaningful work begins with relationships. Sometimes that means helping a child discover confidence through play. Sometimes it means reminding a parent that they're doing a better job than they think.
Either way, the message is the same.
Every child has a story.
And every family does too.
About Heroes in Orbit
Heroes in Orbit is a storytelling series from ABC Head Start Society that celebrates the everyday champions who make our mission possible. From educators and family support staff to volunteers and community partners, these are the people who lift others up, go the extra mile, and embody the heart of ABC.