The Heart Behind the Smiles

My name is Abby. I'm the lead teacher for Sunrise Class and have been at Sunshine Center since the fall of 2024. Prior to joining the Sunshine community I was a preschool teacher for five years and a one-on-one support for children with disabilities before that. One of my favorite parts about working with children in the preschool age group is getting to be the person that makes magic for children. A huge part of my job as a lead teacher in a classroom that uses emergent curriculum is observing and adapting the classroom to fit a child's interests. When everything comes out right, it's like magic to watch what children are capable of learning!

While it's definitely important for children to be surrounded by opportunities to read, write, and count, l will always prioritize social-emotional skills in the preschool classroom. I believe that children need a sturdy foundation of emotional regulation, social awareness, and decision-making skills in order to build up their academic skills. Following this line of thinking, my classroom is often a flurry of activity with children navigating conflict with the help of a teacher (regulation), interacting with social-emotional skills in the preschool classroom. I believe that children need a sturdy foundation of emotional regulation, social awareness, and decision-making skills in order to build up their academic skills. Following this line of thinking, my classroom is often a flurry of activity with children navigating conflict with the help of a teacher (regulation), interacting with peers through play (social awareness), and creating messy art (decision making).

I also think it's important for children to experience safe risk to develop this foundation. My classroom spends an hour outside every day (yes, even when it's raining!) to give them opportunities to gain awareness of what their bodies need in different weather and build the confidence to make decisions about their own bodies. As a bonus, they get to figure out where all the best bugs live!

Working at Sunshine has given me the freedom to build individualized curriculum that helps me form strong relationships with the children in my class, and I'm excited fresh with another school year!

I am a new member of the Sunshine team and am part of en emerging program to help bring people into the ECE space through the PCC Skills program.

I've worked as a lead teacher in preschools for around 8 years, and I've been at the Sunshine Center for a little over 2 of those years. I love working with children. Period!

Watching the glint in their eye as they learn through play is one of the most rewarding feelings, ever! The feeling of seeing childrens' abilities progress is an indescribable reward. And-not many other professions get to spend their day full of snuggles and giggles!

I find importance in balance. I think having a fun, silly classroom only effectively works when the children also understand structure. I like to emphasize social-emotional expectations, just as thoroughly as l present more standard curriculum (phonics, math, etc.). I feel that's an important part of being an early educator-teaching the children social expectations and experiences to help them succeed as people and become life-long learners!

I love the community we have built at the Sunshine Center and I deeply enjoy each interaction I get to have with the children who pass through our care :)!

Hi, l'm teacher Rita. l been working with the Sunshine Center for about 2 years, going on 3. l enjoy working with kids especially the Little Wobbler/Toddlers. They really find joy in the smallest things and it's rewarding to watch them learn grow and develop their unique personalities. I love teaching them empathy, kindness and helping them develop good communication skills. I really like that the Sunshine Center is a community daycare. Families are really loving and welcoming.

Hi, l'm teacher Suzie. I been with the Sunshine Center for about 8 months now. l enjoy working with young children because each day brings something new and exciting. I love being part of the moments when something "clicks" for them. Helping children feel safe, supported, and encouraged is what motivates me.

I believe it's important to be patient, nurturing, and consistent to help young children learn and build confidence. Early childhood is such an important stage, and I'm proud to play a role in shaping their foundation.

One of the things I love most about working at the Sunshine Center is the strong sense of community and the shared passion for making a difference in children's lives.

I enjoying working with young children because their brains are fresh. I enjoy teaching them new things. I enjoy forming relationships with my kids and families. Some things I think are important in helping young children grow are having trusting relationships with their caregivers, having good nutrition habits, and having social interactions with peers.

I love working at the Sunshine Center. We are like a family. I love how everyone here is so passionate about our kids.