CA PRIDE - DONNA KEENE

One of my favorite things is to hear Donna Keene laugh with her students. It is easy to tell that she enjoys learning,exploring and playing just as much as her young students. Donna Keene has been our Preschool teacher for sixteen years. In addition, Mrs. Keene along with Mrs. Penland started our afternoon K - Cubs program in 2008. I will I write about that program in a future blog.

Teaching our youngest students presents unique challenges and opportunities. It begins with that first day of school which may be their very first time away from Mom and Dad or grandparents. There usually are tears those first days (sometimes it is the parent’s and not the child's tears). In just a short time Mrs. Keene, along with Mrs. Deans, have the children so busily engaged in playing, singing, creating, and making new friends that the tears disappear replaced by smiles. There is always time for a hug or a word of encouragement and, best of all, shared laughter.

It is hard to describe all that happens in our Preschool class without oversimplifying. Circle time is a great example. Circle time typically includes taking turns being the leader, adding a date to the calendar, checking the weather, listening to stories, and singing. A closer look gives you the idea of the cognitive, academic, motor and social skills that are introduced and reinforced during circle time. Our young students are learning to function in a group by following a routine and classroom rules such as transitioning from one activity to another and showing respect for each other's space and time to speak. Students don’t just add another number to the calendar. They are learning the day of the week, month , and year. They count the days building number recognition and counting skills. Then they use the letter of the month or of their name to begin recognizing other words with that same sound. Learning continues with a story related to the theme for the day along with songs. Story time often leads to lively discussions. The songs typically include motions and movement. Often there is time for kids to request their favorite songs again and again. Keep in mind that all that I have described and more happens in about twenty minutes. Ms. Kenne moves through it seamlessly and with lots of smiles and encouragement. And then it is on to crafts, outdoor play, centers, and snack (which is also a learning time).

What I value the most about Mrs. Keene is the way she gets to know each child individually. She knows well that each child will achieve developmental milestones at his or her own pace. She can also tell when something is impeding a child’s progress and possible future learning difficulties. She is on the front line of our young students' education which is the best time to begin intervention. Over sixteen years her instincts have almost always been right on target.

Mrs. Keene has created a warm, nurturing classroom with many different areas for the children to play, learn, and make friends. She is constantly refreshing these centers with different toys, manipulatives, materials and games. I know that she is always looking for additional resources and ideas to enhance the learning experience because I see these new ideas in action. I think the best resource she brings to her instruction is her own curiosity, joy in learning something new together, and especially sharing laughter with her students. Now that is what I call fostering a love of learning.

CA PRIDE - Leigh-Ann Hartley

Ms. Hartley often tells me that she is the fun teacher! And then she quickly adds with a smile that this only because she is the one who takes the Pre-K students out on the playground each day. I think many of the kids will say this is true because she has just the right balance of good humor and high expectations. I enjoy dropping in on Ms. Harley's class because I know that I will see students who are actively engaged in learning in the most interesting ( and often fun ways).

Since joining the Christopher Academy staff in 1996, Ms. Hartley has become a respected leader among our faculty. Most of you know her as the Pre-K music teacher who plans and directs our wonderful Pre-K musicals including Grandparents Day, Angel Band, and Calendar of Songs. Our Bears, Ducks, and Fish love to sing and have acquired quite a repertoire of songs by the end of the year. Many of these songs reinforce academies skills such as letters of the alphabet or counting. Others are just for fun or provide a way to move and coordinate specific motions. Getting thirty Pre - K students to sing and perform before an audience would be a daunting task to most of us. Ms. Hartley with the help of her team teachers makes it look easy!

A nice surprise for our elementary students is to discover that they have Ms. Hartley for their social studies teacher in first, second and third grades. After the Pre-K students leave, she shifts gears and teaches afternoon social studies class with same energy and enthusiasm. Students explore a range of topics in such interesting ways. You might find Ms. Hartley sharing a very interesting book or video or you might find the students role playing a moment in history. They become urban planners, map makers, and lawmakers. They go on fantastic field trips to Olde Towne, Colonial Williamsburg ,and the Jamestown Settlement. They learn to take notes and are expected to demonstrate mastery of concepts through projects, presentations and tests....all with a smile and a "can do" from Ms. Hartley.

Many of you may not know that Ms. Hartley has administrative duties as well. As the Preschool Lead Teacher, she works closely with both the Preschool and Pre-K teams to ensure continuity in curriculum, to coordinate schedules, and to collaboratively plan programs and school events.

I often tell Ms.Hartley that the best kept secret at CA is that she is a very firm teacher. She has very high expectations for both excellent conduct and best effort at all times. She has an amazing ability to redirect poor behavior and encouraging best efforts while not missing a beat with whatever she and the students are doing at that moment. Students want to meet her expectations and do their best...now that is what I call fostering a love of learning.