My daughter just finished her second year of Preschool and her first full year of Ballet. She loves school and she wants to be a ballerina when she grows up. She was also taking swim lessons and asked to take a break from that. She wants to know when school and Ballet can begin again. She rarely mentions swimming and is happy to play in the kiddy pool in the backyard. Why ballet and not swimming?
The preschool she attends is in the top three of just about any parent or parent-educator I know. I felt good with that choice but didn’t really know if it was right for my daughter. After watching her teachers, and the school, I can’t believe they are paid so little and do so much. The art projects alone are amazing. But the teachers themselves have some spark of life that is visible. It may even be tangible for the kids. They are always happy, chatty, and together. They are not worn out, or burned out. My son will have the great privilege of working with these teachers in the fall. I consider education one of the most important gifts for my kids so I’m happy this period is filled with such amazing teachers.
The Ballet school is switching teachers next year, and I’m exciting about the new teacher. I’ve seen her work with kids before and she brings that same spark of life to the dance studio as the preschool teachers. I look forward to my daughter’s enthusiasm with her new instructor.
I know of companies that look for the right fit for employees. Some leaders even get to craft their team from previous successes. The Internet allows you to rank college professors and restaurants but what about ranking a person for overall joy of life, positive attitude, fun to work with? Where do I get to rave about those people? Oh, right here.
Thank *goodness* for those folks who work SO HARD to the great benefit of our kids. This is the community (aka village) that’s bringing up our children!