While I have appreciated many joys as a result of being a parent of children in the HBR school district, today It is my pleasure to share some of the joys that I experience as a result of being an employee in the HBR school district.
In August, I started in my new position as a paraprofessional in Blair Rodgers’ Early Childhood classroom. I felt so warmly welcomed from the outset, and between both Blair and Tamara Reddington’s classrooms, I could tell that I had just joined a team that genuinely cares—both for each other and for the youngest learners in our district. Each member of the EC team has a special enthusiasm for serving children well, which makes coming to work both inviting and fun.
Outdoor learning is another source of joy in the Early Childhood program. From spraying snow with watercolor paints, to making “birdseed-strawberry popsicles” for the squirrels and birds to enjoy this winter, to enjoying imaginative play in the snow, and more, EC students engage the world around them in creative ways on a daily basis. Last week’s extreme temperatures gave us the opportunity to bring the outside inside for our students. One favorite activity was using pipettes and paintbrushes to paint snow inside.
Character development at this early stage of education is another source of joy for me personally. It is a pleasure to see the students practice compromising, sharing, and peaceful conflict resolution. Our students are taking risks and trying new things in an environment that makes it safe for them to do so.
Having incredible teammates, facilitating creative learning experiences, and intentionally fostering positive character traits in our students are just a few of the many joys that come from being a part of the EC team. I’m grateful for the privilege that it is to serve students in our community and to be a part of the HBRES staff.
Written By: Fran Kriesch, HBR Parent and EC Paraprofessional