December’s Center Spotlight shines on the Sea Wing Teachers! The Sea Wing is lead by Mable Mulenga, who was featured in September’s Center Spotlight on the Team Lead Teachers.

The Sea Wing is comprised of three classrooms, the Seahorses, the Whales, and the Seals. The classes are taught by Michelle Benson & Caraline Benbow, Mable Mulenga, and Gwen Wesley.

This month in a continued series meant to introduce all the BGCC Teachers we did a Q&A with our Sea Wing Teachers.

How long have you been teaching overall? At BGCC?

Starting with Mable, she has been teaching for 13 years, and six of those years were here at BGCC.

In the Seahorses Class, Michelle has been teaching for 24 years and at BGCC for three years, and Caraline has been teaching for six years, with three of those years at BGCC.

In the Seals Class, Gwen has taught early childhood since 1993 in various childcare centers, with 12 years, collectively, at BGCC.

What is your favorite thing about teaching the Sea Wing age group?

Mable said her favorite thing about teaching the Sea Wing age group is, “the fact that the children can verbalize their thoughts. I teach and learn from them at the same time. They have funny stories to tell.”

For Michelle, her “favorite thing about teaching in the Sea Wing is that it’s a year full of early learning where a lot of what is taught is more noticeable. The children are able to communicate well and absorb everything being taught. It’s so fun to watch.”

Also in the Seahorses Class, Caraline’s “favorite thing about this age group is the growth of the independence, they really learn what they are capable of and love to explore the world around them.”

For Gwen, teaching the Sea Wing age group is preferable since “the children are older and eager to learn, they are beginning to listen and follow directions better.”

What does a typical day look like for the kids in your class? What is your favorite part of the day?

In Mable’s Whales Classroom the day starts with hand washing. Upon arrival, children wash their hands and choose which interest area (play center) they want to play in. Mable said, “I have eight different interest areas in my classroom where children learn and play. After that, we have breakfast, and go through work time, recall time, large group time, etc. The units we cover dictate what kind of activities we do at small group time. We eat our meals in a friendly atmosphere, and the children also have nap time in the afternoon.”

Mable’s favorite part of the day is being outside, or music and movement. She said, “children seem to enjoy the openness of the outside environment, rather than being contained in one room with limited space for exploration. Music and movement brings relaxation! Also, I love it when children make silly faces trying to imitate the lyrics in the song.”

A typical day in the Seahorses class involves the kids exploring the environment and learning to get along with one another. There is a lot of laughing and noise dancing and fun. There is playing during our work time, working together during game time, and having fun running up and down the hill on the playground and in the field. Michelle says she enjoys the whole day!

Caraline’s favorite part is “when we come inside in the afternoon and I gather all the children around to play a game together. Before the game starts I ask the children what their favorite part of their day was.”

In the Seals Class, a typical day involves “busy buzzing children with lots of energy and sounds until outside time.”

Gwen’s favorite time of day is outside time on a sunny cool day.

What makes working at BGCC different from other childcare centers?

For Mable, what makes BGCC different is “the diversity! I have learned so much since I started working at BGCC.”

Caraline believes “working at BGCC is different than other childcare centers because of the dedication to creating an anti-bias education environment. The level of respect and inclusion at BGCC is heartwarming and encouraging for the future.”

Also in the Seahorses class, Michelle said, “The curriculum is different from what a traditional preschool has and learning it has its challenges but is exciting and fun.”

Similarly to Mable and Caraline, Gwen appreciates that “there are so many children from so many places at BGCC.”

How do you help your student workers learn about early childhood education?

Mable said she is “a role model to them. I encourage them not only to supervise the children but also to be active participants in the teaching of the children, and to ask questions if they are not sure about something.”

Michelle helps student workers by communicating expectations, allowing them to add ideas, pointing out things that are working and things that aren’t. Michelle repeats to them often “to have fun, seize the day, reflect daily so always be your best and if not your best, then how will you get back there.”

Caraline tries to help the student workers learn that the job takes a lot of patience, dedication, and joy. She said, “there is so much about this job that cannot be taught through textbooks and homework assignments, so much comes from on the job trainings and hands on experiences in the classrooms. These student workers bring a wonderful new perspective into the classrooms.”

Gwen assists student workers in their educational path by “teaching them things [she] knows and [has] learned on [her] journey.”

Is there anything else you would like parents/families to know?

The last thing Mable wanted to say is that she, “ loves teaching and enjoys singing and dancing with the children.”

Michelle wanted families to know “After 24 years of teaching directing or case managing children and families of preschool ages I am still just as passionate as I was when I first started as a twenty something year old. You will see children happy to come to my class, explore an environment that they enjoy, you will see and hear how I love my job, and will easily see I treat these kids as my own. They are special and loved.”

“Teaching at BGCC has been the highlight of my teaching career and I’m forever grateful for the families I’ve met and the skills I’ve learned in my time here at BGCC,” Caraline said.

Gwen wanted to tell parents and families, “I love teaching. I hope that my patience and persistence in learning leaks out and drips on the children I teach. I come to work each day with a fresh perspective to do the best job I can do.”