Have you met our wonderful teachers yet? Let’s pretend you are entering St. Paul’s Day School for the first time as a three-year-old… You walk into a cheerful classroom with tables and chairs just your size, lots of interesting books that you can touch any time you want, and fun posters and pictures on the walls. There are all sorts of toys to play with (your favorites!) You sit down on a bright colored rug, and you hear a voice say, “I’m so happy to meet you!” A smiling lady sits down next to you and says, “What’s your name? I’m Ms. Karen!” She listens as you tell her all about your Mom and Dad and your dog “Ruff” and she tells you all about the fun activities she has planned for your class and introduces you to your new best friend!

You see, Ms. Karen is skilled at social emotional growth as well as introducing PreK-3 students to letters, numbers, colors and shapes. She is an experienced and passionate Early Childhood Educator. Having worked with ages one to five, Ms. Karen understands that this time of life in a child’s development creates the foundation for all the learning to come. A child’s brain reaches 90% of its adult size by the age of 5. And because children learn more and faster at this time, we cannot waste time on empty “entertainment.”

Ms. Karen has practical experience with three children of her own. Ages 7 to 12. She’s been “knee deep” in education at home as well as school! Her own experience with unique learning styles gives her a deep understanding that children do not all process information the same way, at the same rate. So, she’s a creative partner in the discovery which is the way each individual child learns.

This all sounds very serious. But Ms. Karen also has the most contagious laugh, an impish sense of humor, a sweet and gentle heart and an artistic way of looking at the world. Three-year-olds love her silly songs, her fabulous storytelling and her willingness to get on the floor and play!