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"The hallmark of ECPC's teaching style is that it provides opportunities
for children to make choices that help them develop the self-confidence
necessary to play independently and with other children in socially
acceptable ways without suppressing their individual personalities. The
fact that our first child and now our second child have always looked
forward to going to preschool each day is one of the marks of an excellent
preschool program."
"Nga provides a haven of constancy and security for the children in her
care, and above all, respects them and their needs, as varied as they are."
"My son entered the preschool at age three and a half. He had fairly
severe speech delay which affected his ability to communicate, follow
directions, participate in activities and interact with other children.
To many parents of children with disabilities, the world can be a very
unfriendly place. Ann always made it clear that we were not only welcome
at the preschool but also wanted. (My child) has since been diagnosed with
autism. To say that Ann was supportive and helpful in this whole process
would be a gross understatement. Our gratitude goes beyond words."
"Jenny's special way with kids is a rare talent. Her open heart, guiding
hand, and love for kids meant a great deal to our family."
"Sally's style clearly demonstrates years of working with young minds and
souls - and she is good at it! Beyond that, she clearly enjoys it. Sally
consistently takes down our children's stories - a practice that I treasure
so very much. She has a way of perfecting detached engagement. She will care
for each child sincerely, but demands that they find their own voice, their
own way of figuring out a difficult puzzle on a project. She gets kids and
is consistently patient."
"Par has a fun enthusiastic interaction with the kids...I think they
consider her a partner and confide in her as well as being their teacher."
"I appreciate to this day, how Ms. Clements taught me to reconsider my
expectations of my son who was not performing the tasks I expected him to be
doing at his age. Once I was taught that developmentally, it was OK for a two
and a half year old to not be able to clean up after himself, and to not be
interested in potty learning, it improved my relationship with my son."
"Jenny is just a wonderful role model for the kids. She is kind & loving,
yet respects boundaries. She is light-hearted and joyful, but also really
makes sure that the kids know how to resolved conflicts themselves. We love
Jenny!"
"In circle time, children are not required to sit in a perfect circle.
But, what you see is a group of engaged children - they listen, participate
by singing, listening to a story, sharing news from home. The teachers know
how to hold the children's interest, create opportunities for fun, learning
and growth."
"My child feels very connected with Nga and awaits her arrival every day!
Our child has felt comfortable at ECPC from the first moment he met her. As
parents, we too feel comfortable talking with her about anything we need to
discuss, and we joke that if we ever needed to cry, Nga would be the first
person we'd go to for consolation."
"The teacher's never ending efforts to create more stimulating experiences
for the kids are outstanding (camping night at the preschool; eggs becoming
chicks project, taking kids to a snake, lizard and insect pet shop; stone
soup, and so on.)"
"Ann's priority is always the well-being of her students. She has been
honest with us about our children's strengths and needs. At the same time,
she has enough confidence to change a plan of action when required."
"My children always loved going to preschool. It was a safe place for
them, where they could run or paint or dig in the sand, whatever suited their
fancy. There was just the right amount of structure to make it a comfortable
place. For many years after she left there, my oldest daughter complained
that it wasn't fair that she couldn't go there anymore, Now that she is old
enough, Rachel volunteers there one morning each week and loves working with
Ann."
"Par's clear and pleasant, even if as a parent you are not doing what you
should be doing she'll let you know in a firm but kind way. Par always goes
out of her way to tell you about something your child did during the day that
she either observed or had direct involvement with them. If she notices your
child is having trouble, she will work on that issue for several weeks to help
them get through it and report to you often so you have feedback on the progress
of the situation."
"Nga always tells me about my child's day. You know she was paying attention.
Her gentleness, patience and love for the kids is really amazing. She is always
very open to my questions and I really appreciate that. I also love her subtle
sense of humor."
"Sally is one of the most accepting people I've ever met: she takes you as you
are, and lets you grow and change. And this is true of kids and grown-up."
"Ann's optimism and straight forward approach engages the kids and helps
parents with the challenging work of parenting. When asked what she likes about
Ann, our 3-year-old rattled off a list of her favorites including 'she told me
about turtles' and 'I learned how to dance with scarves.'"
"We spent a lot of time at the preschool! Having two children in the program
required us to participate in the coop two times per week. It was always a pleasure
to be there alongside the teachers."
"Nga is outstanding! My daughter LOVES her!! Nga's kindness towards every child
and every parent is palpable. She is emotionally available to all and this makes
kids & parents open up to her."
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"Sally is very good at getting the stories from the kids. She's always walking
around asking kids for their stories. She also reads to the kids at the lunch
tables."
"I love the way Nga speaks to children--her calmness, her caring, her
understanding, the understanding for others she conveys. "He/She is learning just
like you." I've heard her say that. What a wonderful environment she creates with
her energy. I get that she truly cares about the kids."
"Sally's 'How does your story begin?' activity is a HUGE asset. She is extremely
knowledge about children's books and this is a resource that should be inquired
about more. She is very attentive listener when it comes to the kids sharing 'news'."
"Over the last year, we have watched Ann help guide many children forward in
their development, She has helped shy children to become more comfortable at school,
aggressive children to learn to talk rather than to hit, and children stuck in a
rut of feeling sad about separating from their parents to deal with those feelings
and move on to enjoying their time at preschool. Her skill at meeting each child
where he/she is, and working with them at their developmental level, is truly
outstanding!"
"Nga demonstrates how to parent/teach/love firmly but with unyielding
consistency. She is a clear communicator who does not manipulate. She takes the
time to get to know each child."
"Par does really well with adding acting and physical activities to the day,
which is great for little bodies that can't sit still. She is really good at
creating specific daily activities on an individual basis responding to interests
of a child on any given day. She indulges them this way, and fosters their
creativity to explore an idea."
"Nga sees and hears everything. She is there when intervention is needed yet
not always there so kids are still given their space to be individuals. She knows
all the kids inside and out. She approaches each child differently rather than
using one blanket approach to them all. You really can't ask for better attention.
And you know she's doing a great job just by seeing all the smiles on the children's
faces when they walk in to the school and sees her. They all run up to her and want
to share their news they have with her."
"Sally is a great teacher who blends a matter-of-fact style with a warm heart
and great sense of humor."
"I learn a lot by merely observing Sally negotiate the demands of children. She
takes the needs of children seriously and truly hears their side, but she also
makes it clear what the limits are. Whenever I have a question, Sally takes the time
to offer me a clear explanation. When we meet at the end of our shift to discuss the
day, Sally genuinely inquires about things went."
"One of the strengths I most admire in Ann is her ability to deal with children in
conflict. I know for myself I have learned a tremendous amount from her in this regard.
She has a serious, but soft way of helping children work through their difficulties,
without laying blame or shame on anyone."
"Ann's special way with kids is a rare talent. Her open heart, guiding hand, and
love for kids meant a great deal to our family."
"Nga keeps track of what I tell her about our home family life and is then able
to incorporate this information into how she works with my child at school. She
supports me in my parenting and helps me when I ask for parenting advice. She laughs
at the quirkiness of each kid, which helps me keep my humor about my own. There is
something about Nga and Sally that makes ECPC calm and fun."
"Sally seems to be constantly looking for ways to present interesting materials
and inviting spaces for the kids' exploration. Listen to kids, show how to set limits
in a kind and respectful way. She and Nga are a great team."
"I always remember the heartfelt way Janet talked to us about the problems with
praise at the orientation meeting. It made it easier to hear and was very evoking."
"Par's warm and loving attitude towards the children is wonderful, especially as
it is combined with her ability to recognize when limits need to be set and her clear
irect way of setting those limits. I give her a lot of credit this year for running
the group time with the little ones. They are a handful but she doesn't loose her
patience."
"Janet is warm, friendly, and accepting. She is a lovely presence for the children.
She lets her humanity, vulnerability, and humor show. She deeply understands the
philosophies of the school and conveys them."
"Par has made some suggestions of waffle block stuff (beds, paths) or mat setting
up for those that want to wrestle. She often gets out multiple sheets to add to forts
that children want. She's good at getting 2 different 'rival' projects to coordinate
together and share play items in a constructive way. (one room wants an airplane,
other room needs suitcase...then we get deliverers, baggage claim folks and additional
passengers working together). Par is particularly good at adding to the art area needs.
She has gotten them robot costumes in the past- a huge hit! She is also very into
changing the environment and switching things up!"
"Jenny is fun and the kids really respond to her gentle and caring way of doing
things and interacting. She's such a wonderful addition to an already stellar teaching
team! Love Jenny!"
"When our child first started at ECPC, he had had issues at other schools and we
were nervous about how he would be received at this new school. I deeply appreciated
Janet's statement at the first membership meeting, when introductions were being made,
that she and the other teachers had already fallen in love with all our children. I
knew then that our family had found the right place."
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