Ephesians 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
Imagine the excitement of the Wonder Club Early Learning Center students, (pictured on the left) when their teacher arrived in full costume to tell the story of David & Goliath. It is through this type of creativity that children learn and grow together.Most people who think about Water Street do not think about a preschool and kindergarten program. But one of the little known divisions of Water Street Ministries is the Wonder Club Early Learning Centers, a preschool and kindergarten for low income families in the city of Lancaster and the borough of Columbia. Each day between forty and forty five children arrive at Covenant United Methodist Church and twenty to twenty five at Columbia Mennonite Church for a day of learning. Another four to six are in the classroom we have at the Women’s Shelter. The job of corralling these eager beavers every day falls into the hands of our very competent Wonder Club teachers and assistants.
Do you ever think about the many hats a teacher wears in the space of one short day? Teacher, mom, grandmom, (sometimes dad or granddad –even though we are all women), cook, nurse, plumber, dishwasher, artist, counselor, psychologist, bathroom attendant, mediator, child care worker, bus driver, referee, librarian, repairman, comedian, – just to name a few. Perhaps no occupation requires more versatility and flexibility than that of a teacher.
The teacher must be alert and awake and ready to handle any thing that comes up in the space of a day. No matter how she feels emotionally or physically, she must appear to have it all together and ready to function. She must be able to think on her feet when suddenly what was working, no longer does and she needs a new idea to try. Teachers often talk about their “toolboxes”, that wealth of ideas on which to draw at a moment’s notice. They are always comparing notes with other teachers about what works and what doesn’t. They willingly share ideas and are not ashamed to “borrow” a good idea from someone else. They are always looking for ways to make learning a fun experience for the children in the class.
Do you ever think about the many hats a teacher wears in the space of one short day? Teacher, mom, grandmom, (sometimes dad or granddad –even though we are all women), cook, nurse, plumber, dishwasher, artist, counselor, psychologist, bathroom attendant, mediator, child care worker, bus driver, referee, librarian, repairman, comedian, – just to name a few. Perhaps no occupation requires more versatility and flexibility than that of a teacher.
The teacher must be alert and awake and ready to handle any thing that comes up in the space of a day. No matter how she feels emotionally or physically, she must appear to have it all together and ready to function. She must be able to think on her feet when suddenly what was working, no longer does and she needs a new idea to try. Teachers often talk about their “toolboxes”, that wealth of ideas on which to draw at a moment’s notice. They are always comparing notes with other teachers about what works and what doesn’t. They willingly share ideas and are not ashamed to “borrow” a good idea from someone else. They are always looking for ways to make learning a fun experience for the children in the class.
In May we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. If you haven’t had an opportunity to tell a teacher (whether a WC teacher or another teacher) how much you appreciate all they do, take the time to say “thank you!”
-Lorraine Brandt, Wonder Club Administrator
-Lorraine Brandt, Wonder Club Administrator
Pictured on the right, Wonder Club students circle in prayer time along with their teacher.
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