Dreams Realized: Luna’s Story
When Milton Hershey School (MHS) graduate Luna Pastor walked back into a Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS) classroom in her first full-time teaching role, it felt like a moment years in the making.
“I think it’s so cool that they built CHS for younger children in addition to what MHS provides,” Pastor said. “It helps families and children from the very beginning, giving them a better future.
“Becoming a full-time teacher here was really a dream come true.”
Finding Her Passion at Milton Hershey School
Pastor started her education at MHS in August 2012. In high school, she progressed through the Education & Human Services Career Pathway and completed an internship opportunity at CHS Hershey.
“When I was interning at CHS as a junior at MHS, it really sparked my interest in Early Childhood Education,” she said. “Now I’m here for good.”
Pastor was eventually hired as a Seasonal Assistant at CHS upon graduating from MHS in 2025. In September, she was promoted to a full-time Assistant Teacher role, working alongside a Lead Teacher and Associate Teacher in an infant/toddler classroom.
Infant/toddler classrooms at CHS have up to eight children with three teachers, allowing a collaborative environment and individualized support. The low teacher-to-child ratios allow the team to get to know each child, identify their areas of strength and need, adapt learning approaches accordingly, and build confidence.
“The kids were literally babies when I started,” Pastor said. “Now they know how to say my name. One of them said it for the first time the other day, and I almost cried. He’s only one, and he already knows my name!”
From Intern to Full-Time Teacher
CHS creates personalized and engaging small group education experiences for our children using a blend of research-based approaches, a whole-child, comprehensive curriculum, and industry-recognized design principles that are inclusive of all learners.
Pastor has learned from watching CHS teachers implement those experiences as an intern and further developed her understanding as a Seasonal Assistant.
“Now as a full-time teacher, I’m a part of those approaches and experiences,” she said. “I feel even more like part of the team and family. In our classroom, the teachers help each other out. If something’s not working, we talk about it and figure it out together. We communicate so the classroom runs smoothly, and the children can thrive.”
Pastor also emphasized the role of teachers and the Family Success Team building a connection with families.
“We help parents, too,” she said. “We tell them about their child’s day, build a connection with them. I’ve seen some of my children and families outside of school and it felt full circle.”
Continuing to Dream Big
As for what’s next, Pastor is focused on obtaining her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. She continues to work with her mentor and former teacher at MHS, Mrs. Christine Fisher, who is guiding her through the process.
“I still keep in contact with some of my MHS teachers,” Pastor said. “Miss Fisher still checks in and helps me study for my CDA. She always makes sure I’m doing well at CHS.”
Pastor hasn’t ruled out going to college and was grateful that CHS encourages career growth and offers benefits such as tuition reimbursement if she decides to do so.
“Even though college isn’t my top priority right now, CHS and MHS are both helping me reach my goals,” she said. “I’ve had some up and downs in my life, but I stuck it out, graduated, and secured a full-time job. I’m grateful for this experience. Not everyone gets opportunities like this.”
Dreams Realized series: As the 2025-26 CHS school-year theme “One Team, One Dream” was launched in August, stories will be shared throughout the year showcasing members of the CHS community following—and realizing—their dreams. Vol. 1: Dil’s Story, Vol. 2: Lily’s Story, Vol. 3: Luna’s Story.
