INSIDE
You’ ve described your career as nonlinear. What is it about early childhood education that resonates with you?
Preschool educators have an incredible opportunity to shape a child’ s foundational years. There’ s something powerful about witnessing the“ aha” moments when a child understands a new concept, expresses themselves for the first time in a new way, or builds a relationship with a peer. I’ m inspired by the creativity, curiosity, and resilience that young children bring to learning. This work is playful and dynamic. Every day is unique!
You teach 15 children, six of whom usually have IEPs. What does a typical day look like in your classroom?
What do you see as the chief challenges in early childhood settings today?
It can be challenging for teachers to support children’ s different behaviors. This requires collaboration with administrators and the whole teaching team to ensure that every child is learning, growing, and positively engaged( see the accompanying article“ Advice for Guiding Children’ s Behavior”). And of course, the profession needs more support and recognition of its importance. Despite clear research showing that early experiences have lifelong impacts, many early childhood educators work long hours with limited resources and inadequate and inequitable compensation.
Our district follows a specific curriculum with a scope and sequence, but the teachers have autonomy to design their days. No two are the same: I usually plan a week of lessons, and we do a lot of project-based learning. The children’ s interests help to inform what my focus will be.
My classroom is play-based and full of movement, curiosity, and connection as children learn. No matter what we’ re doing, there’ s a comforting rhythm. I welcome children with a smile, a hug, or a handshake. We have morning meeting time to build community. The bulk of the day is choice time, where children can play with blocks or with sensory materials or in the dramatic play center. During this time, I offer small-group instruction in content areas like literacy, math, and science. My instructional assistants are my valuable partners to support children’ s learning in the classroom.
Spring 2026 Educating Young Children 13