JACKSON, Wyo. — Building strong connections with young students is critical to fostering an environment of trust, growth and learning.
“I think I enjoy connecting with the students the most, just talking to them, getting to know them, building a relationship with them, playing with them. Building that connection is one of the best ways to be a great educator and have time to spend with them and know that they can trust you and you can trust them and that we’re all on the same page.” – Carissa Post, Teton Literacy Center
Carissa finds that many believe early childhood education is easy and primarily involves playing and having fun with young children. However, this perception significantly underestimates the complexities and challenges involved. Post explains, “I think, especially for early childhood, a common misconception is that it’s easy to do. If you’re with younger kids, everyone’s like, ‘Oh, that must be the best job; you just play and have fun all day,’ which you do, but it’s also a lot harder to teach those self-emotional skills, teach kids how to be independent, how to communicate, what their feelings are.”
The skills children learn in preschool are critical building blocks for their future academic and personal success. Carissa emphasizes, “Skills they learn in preschool are skills they’ll use in kindergarten and the rest of their lives. So it’s a really important step in their educational career.” This underscores the importance of early childhood education as a foundational step in a child’s lifelong learning journey.
Organizations like the Teton Literacy Center, Children’s Learning Center and Jackson Hole Children’s Museum are crucial in providing quality early childhood education to students who might not otherwise have access to such opportunities. These programs are instrumental in setting students up for success from the very beginning.
“I think these organizations provide a huge foundation for these students, a lot of whom might not be able to access this kind of education without these programs. That just sets up students for success right from the beginning,” Carissa notes.
According to Carissa, one of the standout features of these organizations is their commitment to involving parents in the educational process. “TLC and CLC and the Children’s Museum – they do a great job of just getting parents involved and just parents and teachers and students working all together to make the students successful.” This collaborative approach ensures that students receive consistent support at school and home, enhancing their overall educational experience.
To be a part of this collaborative early education environment and read more inspiring educator stories, visit https://championsforchildrenjh.com/teacheroes/.
