CA Pride - Julie Deans

I really enjoy listening to Julie Deans when she is working with our preschool students in the computer lab across from the office. Sometimes it is hard to tell who is more excited .. Mrs. Deans or the children! She is so happy when a child succeeds in mastering a skill or discovers something new. This enthusiasm for helping young children learn characterizes Mrs. Deans approach to teaching Quite simply she loves kids and that says it all.

I first met Mrs. Deans when I was hired to teach 2nd and 3rd grade classes at The St. Christopher School and taught one of her children. When I returned a few years later as Head of School, my predecessor recommended that I hire Mrs. Deans as a Teaching Assistant in Preschool. Little did either of us know that we would still be working together sixteen years later...and how glad I am that we are! One of the things I value so highly is her perspective as a parent of former students and her sense of CA's history.

You may not know that Mrs. Deans is also the Teaching Assistant with first grade science and social studies classes in the afternoon . For several years she supervised lunch for various grade groups including fourth and fifth grade students. She often has told me how much she enjoys the opportunity to interact with students she first taught at the age of three. She continues to supervise lunch with K students on Tuesdays.

Being a very creative person, Mrs. Deans taught the Kindergarten art class for many years and has also
taught Adventure Kids art classes. Maybe her son, Matt, gets his creative talent from her. He designed our Mouse and Lion logo.

Mrs. Deans brings the same level of interest and caring about the individual child to her teaching regardless of the age or grade. She has high expectations of her students and wants to see each child be the best that he or she can be. She has this innate ability to sense when a child is not okay whether it is due to not feeling well or being sad about something. I believe our young students sense this and, as a result, feel secure and nurtured.

Every now and then, Mrs. Deans comes to me and says “You just have to see what the kids are doing.” (I have shared some of these moments with you via Facebook.) When I get to the room, I have to say again that it is hard to tell who is more enthusiastic about what is happening ...the students or Mrs.Deans! Now that is what I call fostering a love of learning.