From the
PRIDE
Ms. Tabata Rodriguez, Teacher in our Toddler Classroom 250,
answers questions about her essential role as an educator
and encourager to our children and families. Please read
about how integral the partnership from home to school is
to make more meaning of the learning for your child and
it will transfer to success in the transition to the upcoming
preschool classrooms and ultimately to ‘big school.’
Q: What are some ways you like to connect with families to build a
trusting relationship?
A: This is part of doing my job. Getting to know the families from the start to
ease the transition is a great place to start. Trying to work with the parents
and collaborate with a positive attitude while we teach the children
nothing but the BEST!
Q: How have you seen milestones reached and children experience true
development when families partner with you?
A: When parents collaborate at home with the curriculum and practice with
their kids on sign language, songs, or manners we teach. You can see that
kids participate more in class and they communicate more in class because
their parents show they care.
Q: What other activities do you encourage parents to be involved in
alongside you?
A: Read on your child’s daily sheet about their experiences that day. (You can also
read our family information board to know our learning goals or word of the
week…please ask me!) Ask the kids what they learned throughout the day.
They will especially respond when you say the same things we say, so please
ask me or my peers. We love to assist you in these language connections!
Harris, one of her students, gives Ms Tabata a big hand!
Q: What is a challenge you have experienced in the classroom and how has a family partnership
helped you overcome it?
A: One of the common issues is when children bite, I believe having great communication with parents
helps to eliminate this issue because parents can help and continue teaching and redirecting the child
to an appropriate replacement skill at home as we do the same thing in our environment.
Q: What is your favorite part of your work here with the staff alongside you?
A: I like how we are all a team, even though it is not my classroom we all help each other. The whole
group has a great relationship and we can encourage each other with the struggles and the victories
each day.
Q: Many staff look to your experience and wisdom, please share more about your passion and what
drives your love here everyday.
A: I love kids and I love working with kids. I love to be a part of their learning experience day by day. I
believe that if we teach children right from wrong at a very early age that when they grow into adults
they will be good people.
Q: What do you want to tell families who are at home with the current challenges in our community?
A: We know that we are going through a difficult time and that it affects all of us, but we are taking
every precaution necessary for the wellbeing of not only the kids but everyone in the building. We are
waiting and praying for this all to pass and for everyone to be able to return.
For example, when you play the same animal actions or noises we play, the
children get so excited to show you what they know.
Q: What do you enjoy most about our curriculum and how does it
prepare the students to be ready for more preschool and beyond?
A: I love how we use images (with different textures and figures) and other
forms of sensory activities to teach children. If they don’t speak words yet
we teach them sign language. Little by little the kids can learn how to
interact and learn the meaning through their senses and begin mimicking
sounds of language through the fun activities with us.
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