April Lord Ruzicka
Owner and former student
April has her bachelor’s degree in media communication from St. Edward’s University in Austin and her master’s degree in marketing & advertising from The University of Texas. She has thrived throughout her career in various managerial and leadership roles as both a preschool owner, and an active member of the community, receiving many leadership and community service accolades. She also has the pleasure of sitting on the Board of Trustees for St. Edward’s University, where she attended school for her undergraduate coursework. As a Board Member, she actively participates in the decision-making process for higher education.
When April began to mentor and teach at risk children through volunteering for AmeriCorps, the direction of her life changed forever. From there she became a lead camp counselor for the YMCA, hosted fundraisers and was the spokesperson for JOY International and volunteered for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. April has always strived to learn more in order to positively impact as many lives as possible.
When April was a student at Summerfield Academy almost 38 years ago, little did she know that the culture and philosophy I experienced there would have such a lasting impact on her. As a young girl, Summerfield created the foundation for April to strive, grow and excel. Her life has come full circle, as I have been the proud owner of the school that meant so much to her, 9 years and counting! Working with children is something she has always dreamed of doing and now she’s living her dream!
“I still remember Mrs. Clark and the smells on spaghetti day. Being a student at Summerfield Academy changed my life forever!”
When asked to describe in her own words the school she now owns, April responds without hesitation, “Unique, Inspiring and Simply Amazing!”
April has been happily married to her soul mate, best friend and husband Joel for over 14 years. Together they have been blessed with three young children who are their world; Annabelle (10), Maddox (8) and Mason (5), who currently attends Summerfield Academy in the Five’s Classroom. April feels very fortunate that all her children have had the opportunity to come to school with her every day and experience what it’s like to be a student at Summerfield Academy. Just as their mother did, Annabelle, Maddox and Mason have made memories that will last a lifetime.
Joyce Harlow
Founder
Joyce holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Joyce founded Summerfield Academy in 1985 on an acre of land in Spring, Texas. She was the first president of the North Houston Area Association of the Education of Young Children. Joyce has been a validator and mentor for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC.) She conducted workshops for teachers on how to implement Thematic Literature Based Units of Study. These workshops were based on the curriculum “Story Play™” that she developed at Summerfield Academy. On September 29th, 2014 Joyce sold Summerfield Academy to one of her first students, April Lord Ruzicka. Joyce had all the confidence in the world that April would be the perfect replacement for her. She believed April would bring great energy and dedication to her new venture as head mistress of Summerfield. April has asked Joyce to stay on board as a consultant and a mentor.
“Surrounded by students, Joyce clearly remembers standing in the middle of her newly purchased acre of land, when a smiling, curly, red-haired girl named Summer came running across the field towards her yelling, “Mrs. Harlow, Mrs. Harlow!” “In that moment I knew my preschool had to be named Summerfield Academy.”
When asked if Summerfield Academy is her legacy, Joyce responded “Yes, this program is timeless!”