Tell us about yourself.
My husband, Jake, and I are originally from Columbus, Ohio (Go Buckeyes!). We both attended Ohio University, and after graduation we moved right outside of Chicago. Jake’s career brought us to Owensboro in 2016, and we’ve been here ever since! He’s an engineer for Commonwealth Rolled Products, and I teach preschool at Highland Elementary. We have two sons, Brooks, age 3, and Silas, 7 months, and our black lab, Mia. We love anything and everything outdoors, traveling, and spending time with our friends and family.
What do you love most about being a preschool teacher?
As cliche as it sounds, it’s such a rewarding career. For a lot of our students, preschool is the first school setting they’ve been in, so being able to help set the tone for school, build those relationships, and get them excited about learning is pretty cool. Teaching young students through play and hands-on experiences and seeing them make real world connections….it just makes the challenging days that much more worth it. I love getting to know my students and building those relationships. Preschool students are so innocent and unfiltered. They can make you feel like a celebrity one minute and humble you real quick the next!
As both a mom and a preschool teacher, what advice do you have for parents sending their kiddos to preschool for the first time?
It’s OK to feel all the emotions! It’s a huge transition for most families. It can be scary, but your child is going to be better because of it. You’re setting your child up for success in more ways than one, so give yourself a pat on the back.
How do you balance life as a teacher and mom?
It can definitely be challenging at times, but over the past couple years, I’ve learned that it’s OK to leave right after dismissal some days. Being with my boys and spending that time with my family helps sharpen my saw, which in turn, helps me become a more effective and intentional teacher. I’m so grateful for my husband who is such a hands-on father and is the first to tell me to go do something for myself when I could use a break. While the majority of our family is back in Ohio, we have the best Owensboro village who have stepped in multiple times when we’ve needed them. We are also so grateful for all of the teachers and staff at our boys’ daycare who love on them daily, making it easier on us to not be constantly worrying while we’re at work.
What are three things that you recommend for parents to prepare their littles for preschool?
Encourage them to be independent! Let them try to put their shoes on or zip up their own jacket. I know it’s easier to just do it for them so you can get out the door faster (I’m guilty of this with my own 3-year-old), but basic self-help skills like that will help them in the long run.
Read with your child; make it a part of their every day routine. Ask them what they notice about the pictures or what they think is going to happen in a story. Exposure to books is so important and so easy to do!
Encourage them to share their feelings. Social-emotional learning is one of the most important parts of preschool. Helping your child identify emotions and validate their feelings will help in that learning process.