staff | Grove School

Welcome Ms. Tanja!

Scott Andersen | June 11, 2010 | Comment

All of us here at The Grove School are thrilled to have Ms. Tanja with us. Ms. Tanja started this week and will be working with all of the students in our school as our strand teacher. Classes will come into the multipurpose room for lessons in art, music, dance, theatrical play, etc. that have been especially designed for them by her. She will also be here in the mornings to work in the wrap around program.

Tanja is from Germany and received her degree in Early Childhood Education there. She studied holistic movement, dance, relaxation and fitness there as well. She has worked as a preschool teacher, a dance teacher, a movement teacher, a multi arts teacher as well as a nanny.

We are fortunate to have her with us. We hope that you will stop by and introduce yourself to her. I know she would love to meet you!

Watch her video below.

Keywords: Cary, Grove School, staff

Welcome Ms. Katie!

Scott Andersen | May 12, 2010 | Comment

All of us at The Grove School would like to welcome Ms. Katie Markelz to The Grove School family! She started work May 11. Katie will be working in our Early Preschool room (2 year olds).

Katie was born and raised in a small fishing village known as Homer, Alaska. Her childhood spent running in the woods, swimming in rivers and hiking mountains inspired her to study education and learn skills for providing all children with positive childhood experiences.

Katie received her degree in Early Childhood Education and focused on studying educational philosophies including Waldorf, Montessori and Reggio Emilia. She holds teacher certification in many states including North Carolina. She has a wide range of experience with children 3 months to 8 years old in varies settings including public schools, private schools, preschools, elementary schools and in-home childcare.

In addition to education, Katie is passionate about ballet and was a dancer for 14 years. She loves to travel and has lived in Spain, Bermuda, Bahamas and Austria. She enjoys spending her free time reading and swooning over her black tabby cat Mukluk.

We are thrilled to have her with us!

Please take a moment to stop by, say hello and introduce yourself to help her feel welcome in our family.

Keywords: Cary, Grove School, staff

Providing Positive Guidance

Sue Davies | March 11, 2010 | Comment (1)

In my daily interactions with the children in my care I often refer to the class as a “team”. The children respond to this in such a positive way.

We are a little family in our preschool classroom. A community of three, four and five year old boys and girls, learning through socialization how to be a friend, appreciate each other’s differences and similarities and respect the people and the world around us.

A child’s sense of self comes from the support of the adults in his or her life.

As a teacher, I know I play an important role in helping children deal with every day feelings in their world. I know that each child is an individual. I speak to each child with respect and interest, always addressing them by name and asking them to do the same for me. I happily greet each child as they walk into the room each day and follow up with friendly conversation with their parents too. While these gestures come naturally, I know too that I am modeling for the children the basics of socialization and communication each and every day.

I support the children in their efforts to communicate, helping with words and accepting their feelings as they develop the ability to grow and make sense of the world. The use of positive language, so crucial when speaking to children, builds a trusting relationship with each child.

In the preschool classroom, children learn to develop social skills to help them work and play, take the initiative and cooperate with those around them. Sharing, taking turns, respect for others and friendship is modeled by the adults in our school.

There are very simple and direct rules to follow in my preschool classroom…be kind, be safe and be the best friend you can be.

I assist the children in verbalizing their needs in a socially acceptable way. I encourage the children to be kind, caring and show empathy to all and thus find a room full of multi-tasking, problem solving children with a real sense of pride and accomplishment in who they are and what they can do.

For me, it is truly rewarding to see the mastering of skills in each and every child as they blossom and grow into bright and independent thinkers at The Grove School and beyond.

Susan has been married for 27 years to her husband, Barry, and is the mother of three daughters. Caring, teaching and loving them has reinforced her desire to be an educator of young children. She has over 20 years experience working with young children.

Keywords: Cary, early childhood education, Grove School, staff

The most important arrival–our teachers!

Scott Andersen | January 1, 2010 | Comment

Since mid-October, I have been writing, blogging and making videos about the progress that has been taking place with the facility, furniture and equipment for The Grove School of Cary. It has been thrilling to watch this facility transform from a bare shell of a building into a state-of–the art and environmentally friendly learning environment. Some of you have shared this journey with me.

Well, Monday, January 4th marks the most important arrival of all for The Grove School – our teachers. The best thing we do for our children in any school environment is to put a highly trained and child-centered teacher in the classroom with them each and every day. We have scoured applications from hundreds of teachers from around the country and have selected a wonderful cadre of highly trained professionals who not only embrace the early learning philosophy, but do so with a commitment to instill the ideals of “healthy body, healthy mind and healthy planet” throughout the school day.

The Grove School leadership, at all levels, recognizes and values the role that teachers play in the teaching and learning process. It is the teachers who, in concert with the parents, work the real magic. It is the teachers who will creatively guide, shape, inspire, motivate, stretch, challenge, correct, and praise our children as they begin this most important journey of learning.

I hold great anticipation of the many wonderful experiences the students of The Grove School will have in their expert hands.

Yes, the building is wonderful. Our furniture is beautiful and sustainable. Our technology is first class. However, more importantly, the same words describe the teachers of The Grove School. They are wonderful, beautiful and first class!

Check back soon as we will be posting videos, bios and photos of our staff. I invite you to stop by and meet all of us sometime real soon!

Keywords: Cary, staff, teachers, The Grove School

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