Geist Jobs: Teaching Preschool Takes Patience, Brings Rewards

I never knew my lap could accommodate three 5-year-olds — that is until I tried working as a preschool teacher at the Early Learning Center at Amy Beverland Preschool of the Arts.

Instructional Assistant Angela Lynn says this is always the case. “Not only do we teach the children, but we also learn a lot from the children as well,” she says.

I thought this would be a fun job to try because I really enjoy children. I think it is everyone’s dream to get paid to play, especially when it involves Legos. I spent a portion of the day helping a group of girls build a baby carriage and a boy build a rocket ship.

The main component of this preschool is play. Principal Dr. Denna Renbarger explains that play is an integral part of a young child’s learning experience. “It is essential for young children — and perhaps all people — to play to learn and develop in healthy ways,” she says.

The Early Learning Center houses both kindergarten and preschool classes. It was built in 2005 to accommodate the growing student body here in Lawrence Township. The Preschool of the Arts is so popular with families that all four sites have waiting lists.

The best feature of the school is its teaching staff. They are very committed to providing a child-centered learning environment. They take their job very seriously behind the scenes, despite all of the fun and games we see going on. The main focus here is to promote developmentally appropriate learning programs for the children.

The building itself was built with little learners in mind. Dr. Renbarger says this is no accident. “We believe the environment has an impact on learning, thus our buildings and classrooms reflect elements that nurture growth and development, such as subdued colors and big windows for natural light.”

One interesting touch is the boiler room. What used to be known as the scariest place usually hidden in the basement is now a highlight. The heating mechanisms are all housed in a large room with colorful windows. The well-lit interior allows for the children to see inside.

Being a preschool teacher is in essence leading the children through a daily schedule of activities like story time, trips to the playground and snack time. There are state standards that the Preschool of the Arts adheres to, thereby ensuring that children are receiving a well-rounded education to prepare them for a life of learning.

My day with the children included the ever popular show-and-tell. Surprisingly, the children sat quietly and listened intently as their friends showed drawings and pictures of new baby siblings.

Story time was, well, a different story. The kids got a little antsy and spent more time asking questions about the story than it took to read it. It is obvious that patience is an integral part of working with children! Mrs. Riley says, “You must really enjoy children and their curiosity to do well in this line of work.”

Snack time is a bit of organized chaos. We have to work quickly to clean tables and get the snack, utensils and napkins out to each waiting child. Add to this each 5-year-old’s preferences and allergy requirements… it’s not as easy as you might think. Each child did a great job of cleaning up their plates afterward. I keep my fingers crossed that they do this at home, too.

Ever share office space with a toad or a praying mantis? Animals and insects are a part of many classrooms. Last year Mrs. Riley brought in an insect egg sack one Friday. Over the weekend it hatched, and students and staff came in that Monday to a sea of baby praying mantises walking along the hallways of the school.

Mrs. Riley says this is the best thing about being a preschool teacher. “There is never a dull moment,” she says with a laugh.

I enjoyed my day as a preschool teacher, but I think I will keep on the quest for the ideal job. What do you think I should try next? Email me at christywritesindy@yahoo.com.