November’s Center Spotlight shines on the Bird Wing Teachers! The Bird Wing is lead by Martey Heard, who was featured in September’s Center Spotlight on the Team Lead Teachers.

The Bird Wing is comprised of three classrooms, the Blue Jays, the Hummingbirds, and the Robins. The classes are taught by Amy Price & Breanna Nelson, Martey Heard & Elaine Moore, and Rebecca Evans & Erika Graciano-Rodriguez.

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

How long have you been teaching overall? At BGCC?

Starting with our Bird Wing Team Lead, Martey Heard has been teaching in the early childhood field for a total of 26 years, with 22 of those years being at BGCC! Her co-teacher, Elaine More, has been teaching in the field for 18 years with 10 of those years being at BGCC.

In the Robins Classroom, Rebecca (Becca) has been working at Becky Gates Children’s Center for 13 years, and her co-teacher Erika joined BGCC in September. Ericka has worked with children since 2004 in various positions and with various age groups.

For the youngest Bird Wing class, the Blue Jays, Amy Price has been working with infant and toddlers for 8 years. November 1 will be her three year anniversary at BGCC. Her co-teacher Breanna Nelson has been working in a child care center for 8 years and she was also a nanny for two years. This past August marked one year for her at BGCC.

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

Martey’s favorite thing about teaching toddlers is, “how excited they are about everyday ordinary experiences. As a toddler everything is still new to them and that excitement and enthusiasm is infectious.”

Also in the Hummingbirds Classroom, Elaine’s favorite thing is, “getting to experience their first groundbreaking moments and helping them become independent.”

Becca’s favorite thing is seeing the children smile as they enter the classroom and the conversations that they have. “The children are so fun! When the children can’t do something, and they figure it out without any assistance, they get so excited!”

According to Erika, “My favorite thing about teaching in the Bird Wing is the cute little smiles and the children’s excitement for learning each and every day.”

Amy’s favorite thing about teaching toddlers, “is watching them grow into their own personalities. I enjoy helping them explore their independence and helping them build their self esteem.”

Similarly, Breanna’s favorite thing is having the opportunity to watch children learn and grow.

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

In the Hummingbirds Classroom, according to Martey, “A typical day is generally very busy, with the children exploring the activities that have been set out. The children enjoy working with the materials in the different areas of the room, particularly when new items have been added.”

Her favorite part of the day is outside time as, “there are so many opportunities for learning and being hands on. The children really seem to connect to nature, and it is a time when they have ample room to move about without the constraints of the classroom.”

Elaine said the typical day is, “very busy, fun and joyful,” with her favorite part being when they, “do Music and Movement I enjoy dancing with the children and praising their dance moves.”

A typical day in the Robins classroom starts off with a morning greeting and washing children’s hands. The teachers engage children in age appropriate curriculum that encompasses all areas of their development throughout the day.

Becca’s favorite part of the day is “when [she] steps out of the room for a couple of minutes and [she] returns the children say “Hi, Ms. Becca” and they run up to [her] and give [her] a hug. Otherwise, when they need some cuddle time, and the children come sit in [her] lap with a book to read.”

Erika’s favorite part of the day is when she sees, “how much fun our little friends are having while learning.”

A typical day in the Blue Jays class is always full of activities, exploration, creativity and positive energy. Amy said, “there is never a dull moment and I enjoy this so much. I love and appreciate the simple joys in life. My favorite part of the day is when we go exploring nature. The children love exploring and going for walks. Nature is so calming and helps inspire learning.”

According to Breanna, “Our little explorers are always busy trying to figure out how everything around them works. We are constantly doing activities and exploring nature. My favorite part of the day is when we go on our daily nature walks.”

What makes working at BGCC different from other childcare centers?

Martey said it is, “the diversity at BGCC sets it apart from any other facility. I always say I have gotten to travel the world without even leaving home!”

According to Elaine, it is the “strong Aggie Spirit” that sets BGCC apart.

“What makes Becky Gates different from other centers is that we are child focused, encourage natural learning, and spectacular family engagement,” said Erika.

Becca said, “We give the children the opportunity to set their own goals and select their own materials and activities and what they want to learn about. We have open curriculum and base project approach.”

“What makes working at BGCC special is our teaching philosophy. I enjoy building on the children’s beliefs and encouraging them to keep growing. I also love having Ms. Erica as our director because she inspires me to keep furthering my own education and learning. Ms. Debbie is so dedicated to what she does and it shows in her work and how she leads us. Thank you ladies for all you do for our center. It would not be the same without you,” said Blue Jays’ lead teacher, Amy.

“BGCC connects with families in a whole different way then I have seen before at other centers,” Breanna said. “They embrace diversity with a welcoming hand and implement activities that encourage healthy childhood development.”

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

In the Hummingbirds Classroom, Martey encourages the student workers to learn about early childhood education, “mostly by being a model and allowing them to be an active participant in our daily routine while they are in our room.”

Elaine similarly enhances their education by, “having student workers assist [her] with activities and having them do various projects.”

In the Robins classroom the teachers show student workers how to engage with the children and tell them about the center, and what teachers do to help the children learn and grow.

Student workers in the Blue Jays classroom are shown hands on activities by Amy who continued to say, “I also enjoy reading books and music and movement time with the children. I feel like our TA’s enjoy being a part of our classroom. I also like to share favorite stories with them and hear about their experiences.”

Breanna provides student workers with constructive feedback as needed and gives them opportunities to take on more responsibility and gain leadership skills.

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

Martey said, “I have known, literally since the first grade that I was going to be a teacher. I have always enjoyed working with children and was always the one in school that was the “little teacher” helping other students in need. While in college I had my first experience working in a child care setting. Even as new teacher I knew the quality of education there could be improved and vowed from that moment on that I was going to make a difference and teach preschoolers in a way that would enhance their development.”

The other half of the Hummingbirds duo, Elaine, said, “I am a teacher that believes that a child deserves a safe place to learn, find love, support, and help them to have a strong and good foundation to carry with them during their educational journey and also through life.”

Becca said, “In my classroom we give a lots of hugs and we have a lot of interaction with the children. I am very excited to come to work every day and get to see the smiles on the children’s faces.”

Amy concluded by saying, “I love nature. It helps center me as a person and I love how we have brought nature into our classroom. We also go outside to do activities, read books, sing good morning and listen to the birds outside. We also like to run to get our energy out!!”

Lastly, Breanna is all about being as positive and helpful as she can to everyone around her.