Throughout her childhood, education was important to Mukadas Tashieva. She attended a village school in the mountainous Kara-Suu region, where students would either walk or arrive by horse. Under the Soviet educational system, education was free and compulsory, teachers were strong, and classes were highly structured. There were challenges, however, as curricula often were outdated and lacked opportunities to develop critical thinking. In 1991, Kyrgyzstan declared independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, renamed itself the Kyrgyz Republic, and established a democratic government and market economy. Changes affected life throughout the country, including the remote villages. Mrs. Tashieva recalls, "We had independence, but we struggled to change and to survive in this new system, as there were few jobs, and businesses were just starting." As economic, political, and social reforms took place, new ways of life had to develop. This article describes Ms. Tashieva, and her most important take away from her early childhood education as a drive to help others through compassionate leadership. This was a very early idea that shaped her entire professional life as she set about rebuilding a school system during the transition of Kyrgyzstan to the independent Kyrgyz Republic in a time of significant changes to education and challenges to teachers. Her journey, studies, lessons, as well as concerns and goals for the future are shared.