When it comes to careers, one could argue Teams of Tomorrow Director Breanna Elam has seen it all. Formerly a high school teacher, church youth leader, nanny and nine-to-fiver of corporate America, Breanna joined TOT as a franchisee in 2014.
A TOT director planted the first seed while Breanna was attending seminary in Dallas, Texas. Laura Braxton directed TOT in the Plano, Texas, territory at the time, and Breanna began working for her while finishing seminary.
“The biggest thing I saw was that [the program] improved the confidence in children,” she said.
When Breanna graduated from seminary, she had been married for a year and decided ministry was not part of her path. She wanted to have children and stay home with them. Breanna also loved TOT and felt it was an amazing ministry for children. Rather than doing vocational ministry, Breanna decided to make TOT her ministry.
Breanna and her husband, Lloyd
The Nebraska native started her first year as a TOT franchisee, teaching 14 classes in a busy but refreshing 30-hour work week. Since then, Breanna has hired two teachers, which leaves her more time to spend at home with her 18-month-old daughter.
She’s also relocated and initiated her new TOT franchise in Des Moines, Iowa. Breanna’s involvement has sparked the interest of her husband, who sometimes jumps in to volunteer with TOT activities.
Breanna said the most rewarding element of directing a TOT program is experiencing the excitement of the kids.
“It just makes such an impact in these kids’ lives,” she said.
The best part of the business side?
“There’s nothing better than being your own boss,” Breanna said.
Breanna with her daughter, Zerah
She views herself as the type of person who can take an existing framework and execute the project to create something awesome. Breanna said TOT equips directors with everything needed to succeed, and she applauded the program’s forward-thinking improvements it makes every year.
“They always have innovative ideas,” she said. “The world is always changing, and if you’re not changing with it, your program may not grow.”
