Self-Discovery

Hamilton Learning Center

Room 105

Ms. Wonder, AA-ECE,

Hired 2013

Ms. Goodwin, MA-ECE,

Hired 2014

 

 

Morning greetings were happening as I entered Room 105. Everyone--even me--was greeted by name. The class looked at the calendar and reviewed the date. One friend did a visual check on the sky through the window. At first he looked perplexed, then he reported the happy and surprising news it was sunny. The children answered the question of the day: “Have you ever had a fortune cookie?” (most had) and they were off to hand-washing before breakfast.

Shauna Matelski, our Head Start Director, joined us right before breakfast. When she asked the children at her table if the pears being served were sweet, one child matter-of-factly offered her some. No middlemen to learning in Room 105. They are all about self-discovery.

Between breakfast and Fun Fit Friday were teeth-brushing, journaling and free play. For me, free play was a group reading of all types of books including the “Croaky Pokey.” They knew the refrain from earlier in the week, so my job was really to help the children keep their rights straight from their lefts. A special thanks to Elyria Rotary’s Literacy Committee for reading the Croaky Pokey to all the children on February 24. They also provided each child a copy to take home.

 

At Ms. Goodwin’s suggestion, one youngster read me the classroom’s self-published book “Our Color Walk.” Laminated pages showed color-specific pictures photographed by the class while on a walk through the center. The youngster claimed that he was not a good reader, but he knew every color and told the story with a strong voice. He also shared the back-story of some the photos. The children knew which photos they were in and did quite a bit of pointing. Our reader gave them their moments but never let go of the book. He pushed right through to the end and finished with a big, big smile.

Memorable Moment

The coat rack in the room included a shelf. Proudly stashed above one boy’s coat was a stuffed replica of a superhero with whom I was not familiar. I was introduced. His name was Knuckles. The cherished toy apparently is a frequent guest that stays firmly on the shelf during class. Perched as he was, Knuckles provided a watchful eye.

What I Learned from Ms. Wonder

Ms. Wonder has a relatively quiet voice, but the children hung on what she had to say. Her topic and word choices invited each child to open up and share ideas or experiences. She was surrounded by chatter. Much of it was nonsensical, but her delight in what was being said showed that did not matter. Taking a page out of Ms. Wonder’s book, the children talked among themselves, too. It made for a very verbal classroom that was also fun and respectful.

What I Learned from Ms. Goodwin

Ms. Goodwin struck me as a teacher’s teacher. The exchanges between her and our Director had that “we could finish each other’s sentences” kind of quality. You know. Like when there is head nodding at the simple use of a phrase for a whole subtext of information. I noted that she was consistently purposeful. She was also kind, encouraging and trusting. That last part is what struck me the most. She knew the abilities of the children and encouraged each to work and act at their best. The trust she places in them causes them to blossom in her care.

Linking It Together

We received the resignation of a long-term employee this week. After 28 years, Barb Williams has retired. Most recently, she has been our food service supervisor. Her dedication and knowledge made a difference and helped create the great food service team in place today. I thank her for her service and count myself among the many that will miss her. We hope she discovers all the well-deserved joys retirement can bring.

Little Ambassadors

Hamilton Center, Classroom 104
Miss Linda – BA, Hired 2014 (pictured )
Miss Yolanda – AA, Hired 2000 (Substituting)

Not long after I entered Room 104, I found myself with an armful of child sharing a hug. I must have looked like I needed one. It was a really nice welcome.

I walked into a room in full gear. While attendance was light—just six children from a roster of 11—there was still plenty of energy in the room. The morning routine dictated a trip to the restroom complete with hand washing tasks before breakfast. By this time of the year, with one exception, the children showed themselves to be well-versed in the order of things. The exception was a newly enrolled child. She was a four-year-old given to daydreaming. Using her name effectively got her attention. She had a ready smile once her attention was gained. In addition to daydreaming, she was given toward touching anything that captured her eye. While it is too soon to tell, that may be an indication she will be a hands-on learner.

A classroom veteran was her buddy in the hall on the way to the restroom. Miss Linda shared that he appointed himself the classroom rules ambassador. My sense was that empathy guided his actions. He was a very kind child. While his new friend reached out for posters and artwork hanging outside of each class, he steadfastly held her hand and kept her with the group. That little guy even escorted her to where the children wait at the end of the hall. I was struck by how we start taking care of each other at a very young age.

What I Learned from Miss Linda

You probably guessed that Miss Linda encourages hugging. The children always initiate, but her response is designed to ensure repeats. No matter what the hug interrupted, she consistently leaned into the hug being given and genuinely smiled at each child. The “thank you” that crossed her lips every time was heartfelt. Her children’s fond memories of Head Start will likely recall hugs for the taking.

Memorable Moment

We attended Tae Kwon Do class in the gym. One exercise was for the children to punch hand-held pads and then duck as the instructor slapped the pads together over their heads. I was standing with Miss Kara, a teacher from the other class receiving instruction, when one little girl went through the exercise un-coached and unafraid. Miss Kara shared that up until a couple of weeks ago the same little girl had been very timid. The little girl I saw practically skipped away from the instructor. I am not sure if the child will go to Kindergarten this fall or next. Either way she is one step closer to being ready for new things, including going to school.

Linking It Together

Scheduling conflicts put me in the classroom on a Tuesday. I will not get back again until Friday, February 27. I will be back at Hamilton as a Rotary reader on February 24. The Literacy Committee of the Elyria Rotary will be visiting with a book for every child. I will not give away the title, but I will say the book is positively “rebbit-ing.”

Three years ago we conducted an employee survey where it became clear that staff wanted more communication. Since then we have implemented global address lists to make sending messages out more timely and consistent, revamped our website, started an electronic monthly newsletter, launched an intranet site, and linked meeting agenda content so that information cascades into the organization. We publish an annual report and have added a yearly Head Start Outcomes Report started in 2012. Oh, and yes, I am blogging this year.

Yet just this week our Communications Director said she has been planning what comes next. I was all ears. Some of her ideas are additions to what we are now doing; others will take time and resources to implement. What I see in the centers is similar: employees taking initiative, personalizing their jobs and making new things possible by working together and taking each other by the hand when needed.