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.
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