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October 23, 2006
Preschool Preview
Today I get to do a brief presentation at a preschool planning conference. The recent Preschool For All initiative was not passed, but preschool is still on the minds of lots of folks around the state and the country for that matter. If you haven't guessed, I've been a fan of quality preschool programs since my children were little. I certainly don't expect preschools to take the place of a wonderful, loving family environment, but I do expect them to provide children with opportunities they might not have at home.
I've thought this way for a long time, but a couple years ago I had the opportunity to visit schools in Texas and Oklahoma. I went to Texas because that was first of all where my son was graduating from his Air Force training so it was a great personal reason to go, but secondly because Texas is where No Child Left Behind has its roots. I spend great periods of my work life dealing with issues around NCLB and it seemed only right that I should find out why I do that. I arranged to visit several schools in Texas and in each case I wanted to know what was working, what made a difference and why we should be proceeding down this path. I found out a great deal of valuable information about English Learners, Special Education, and High School issues, but the area I found really fascinating was the preschool arena.
Aldine Independent School District is in Houston, Texas. I visited with Nadine Kujawa, the district superintendent. I am still using her quotes today about what she found in their district when they started a preschool progam. They started a voluntary program for 4-year-olds. She indicated that was the only thing they did differently that year. After operating their preschool program their special education program dropped from 12% to 9%.
When I visited the Oklahoma State Department of Education, I talked with Ramona Paul. She was the State Assistant Superintendent who had started the preschool program in Oklahoma. She talked about Oklahoma being considered the "nanny-state" for having taken on such a hair-brained idea. Now she was having people from all over the country ask what she did and how. Preschool programs had made a difference in Oklahoma and other people were beginning to see what they could do.
I've always been a believer so this was good reinforcement for me. Today I will go talk about those experiences, those and the ones I see when I visit the preschool programs we operate. When I walk into a classroom and see children listening to stories, playing with toys, blocks, sand, and water, using vocabulary that I know they didn't have before they came to preschool, I am excited for them. I see the language they are developing and I know how much easier it will be for them in school. And it's fun. The kids and adults have a great time while all that learning is taking place.
I do enjoy talking about this topic. Wonder how I'll fit all of that into 7 minutes??
Posted by Dr Joni at 06:08 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 08, 2006
New Learner, New Learnings
My daughter Jennifer got married in March. She and her husband Jordan are doing well and enjoying thier life togehter. They've added a kitten and a puppy to their household and a few month ago they added Jordan's sister Liz. Last week they added one more. Jayden Wesley Tyler was born five days ago.
Yesterday I had an awesome opportunity to hold Jayden. My children are in their twenties. It's been a long time since I've held a newborn. You forget, or at least I do, what a wonderful experience it is to hold a child in your arms and know that child will grow up some day and you'll have had some influence in their life.
As I looked at Jayden sleeping so peacefully, I looked around at all the things he'd be learning soon. There was a kitten nearby and he'd be running that kitten shortly. There was a boy on his bike. Jayden would be out riding his bike in the park very soon. There was a young man working in the garden. Jayden could be taking care of his own yard all too quickly. There was a grandfather watching his daughter and his grandson. He'd do that too. All of those things he'd learn, and he's only five days old.
That's probably why I went into education in the first place. I like being a part of the learning that goes on in people's lives. I like providing the experiences, the lessons, or just the opportunities for people to grow and learn. II'm getting close to retiring from almost 40 years in schools. Of course you realize I started at two, but I could tell yesterday, I'm not through. Perhaps it's just me and one of my favorite characters, Don Quoxite, tilting together at windmills, but I don't think so. I believe people are born to learn, to evolve, to change. My job is to make it easier for them, at least the ones I come in contact with, to do so.
My thinking must have rubbed off. Jennifer had already asked for some children's books to read to her new nephew. "I know he won't understand them," she said. "but I want him to be smart."
I found two Winnie the Pooh books in the garage and picked up two Baby Einstein books at the bookstore. I've postponed writing my next book on preschool activites until the state standards are adopted. Looks like I better get moving on that very soon, standards or no. That book needs to be done before Jayden starts walking.
I wonder where I put the safety catches for the cupboards. I know I had them somewhere.
Posted by Dr Joni at 08:08 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 03, 2006
Judging the Best
A few days ago I spent part of my day judging 4-H displays. When I judge science fair exhibits they are in the same room and I just need to go a few steps from one to the other to view the next piece. The 4-H exhibits were all over the county.
I finished visiting the bank and the two window displays in Willows. Lunch was eaten on the road to Elk Creek. For those of you who don't know my area, Elk Creek is up the road apiece from Willows. It's about 25 minutes away and a beautiful drive. I tried to make sure I didn't spill hot sauce on my shirt as I drove.
The display in Elk Creek was in the beauty shop. As I was standing out front doing my best juding I was invited in to see the rest of the display inside. I spent the nest 20 minutes talking to folks about their lives, kids, and how much doing things like 4-H kept kids out of trouble.
Taking the back roads to Orland, I had a chance to think about my almost 20 years in the county. It's been a good 20 years. Who would have thought I'd come here and have the opportunity to meet the people I have and accomplish the things we have.
I visited the next three displays in Orland stopping to talk to more folks abount kids and community. Then I drove out to Capay School. The principal told me a number of people had come to see their display and it was the first time some of them had ever seen the school.
It's really fun to visit parts of the community, stop by the schools, and just talk with people. The displays were great, and I know the kids enjoyed the process of putting them together, but it was even more enjoyable to see the involvment of all kinds of businesses and folks who want to support the kids and each other where we live. Now that's the Best.
Posted by Dr Joni at 07:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack