Margaret Korte
Print/Podcast Editor
“Statesmen Preschool has been an integral part of [our] FACS program for over 40 years,” FACS teacher and Statesmen Preschool director Alissa Griffing said via email.
The preschool was closed for the past few years due to its proximity to the construction of the Frick Theater. It was remodeled along with the new theater. This is the first year the preschool has been reopened since the construction.
This is Griffing’s eighth year teaching Child Development and her third year teaching at Webster, as well as having taught preschool in the past. As director, she works with both high school and preschool students.
“My role as director of Statesmen Preschool is to facilitate the learning environment for our students and the preschoolers. I provide instruction to our students on best practices related to working with young children, assist in lesson planning, and supervise the overall operations of the preschool,” Griffing said via email. Through her class, she helps students “improve their teaching skills and deepen their understanding of child development.”
The preschool and the class are “a great learning experience for our students as well as children in the community. Many WGHS students even went through Statesmen Preschool when they were little,” Griffing said.
“There are so many reasons students should take Child Development,” Griffing said. “The courses offer opportunities to work directly with children, providing practical, real-world experience.”
The courses also offer college credit: Child Development I and II offer credit through Missouri State University, and students can also log A+ hours through work in the preschool.
“These courses are ideal for students interested in careers in education, healthcare, psychology, or social services, as well as those who want to better understand child development or plan to become a parent,” Griffing said.
The Child Development program has four levels and each class is one semester. Child Development I teaches students about the child development process and includes observations at local preschools. Child Development II is when students begin to work with the Statesmen Preschool. It becomes more advanced as the years go through.
According to Griffing, “In Advanced Child Development III and Child Development Internship, students will take on more roles in Statesmen Preschool. [They] visit other early childhood programs, study a variety of educational philosophies, complete an individual passion project, and deepen their knowledge of child development.”
“My high school offered a Child Development program with a lab preschool and I loved my time working with the preschoolers,” Griffing said. “My experience in those classes sparked my love of teaching and child development. I hope that I can offer a similar, enjoyable experience to my students, and maybe they will discover a new interest as well.”
Feature Photo: Students working with preschool, the preschoolers and staff celebrate Trick-or-Treat on Oct. 29. Photo provided by Alissa Griffing
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Margaret Korte–Print/Podcast EditorThis will be Margaret Korte’s second year on ECHO staff. She made several contributions while taking journalism class her freshman year. |
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