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Pam
Gamble spends her days rattling off the alphabet and counting aloud
to 10, smeared to her elbows in finger-paint and knee deep in
four-year olds. "We get to play
all day," she said. "We get to paint and run, get messy, and be
creative - anything a four-year-old can imagine we try to make into
reality."
Gamble
has been teaching preschool at the Country Day School in McLean, Va.
for almost two years. In addition to leading classes in the
intricacies of the ABCs and simple mathematics, she helps young
children become good students for the future. She serves not
only as a teacher, but also as a role model, disciplinarian, big
sister, and caretaker rolled into one, helping children clear
academic and social hurdles with open arms.
And for
all her efforts, her little clients embrace her - literally.
"One of
the best parts of the jobs is getting hugs from the kids, and being
part of their lives," said Gamble. "They're always so eager to tell
us things."
A
hands-on experience for all
Preschool
programs differ across the country. Some teachers go it alone before
a roomful of tots, while others, like Gamble, work as part of a team
of teachers to ensure one-on-one contact with the students. However,
the free-form educational experience Gamble conducts lends itself to
a multitude of small-group activities concentrating on specific
subjects, ranging from reading and writing to baking and
acting.
"We try to stay outside as much as possible, so the
kids have time to run and explore the world around them while
interacting with each other," said Gamble. "They learn more that way
than they ever would from us lecturing to them."
It may
sound like fun and games on the surface, but life lessons are
interwoven into this interactive learning experience. "Our kids ran
their own restaurant, making and serving food to the rest of the
school," said Gamble. "We keep animals on the grounds and the kids
help take care of them." So as the children make cookies and feed
chickens, they learn about proportions (from the baking ingredients)
and anatomy (just where did that egg come from?).
Teachers learn too, but it's not for
everyone
Before Gamble began teaching she worked in
educational software. She knew that being tied to a desk wasn't for
her, so she started to actively pursue teaching opportunities while
working on her master's in gifted education.
Gamble
learns new things every day thanks to her curious clientele. "I
think the most powerful thing you can tell children is, 'I don't
know - let's find out,'" Gamble said. "It lets them see that you
learn all your life, and that adults don't really know
everything!"
Most
states require that preschool teachers have at least a two-year
associate's degree in early childhood education. Gamble
recommends that aspiring teachers also expose themselves to the
craft as early and as often as possible. "Volunteer, work with after-school
groups, get all the experience you can get," she said. "Make sure
it's what you want to do - don't just sit in a class and think about
it!"
Creating better students for the future
Working
with kids and helping them become good students might produce
priceless results. However, early-childhood education is rarely a
lucrative field. "I became a teacher for the money," Gamble joked
with a verbal wink. "Seriously, I've always loved kids and I feel
like I'm good at getting down to their level and communicating with
them."
According
to Salary.com, the average daycare center teacher in the United
States earns $27,000, while an average kindergarten teacher earns
$45,000. However, some schools, like Gamble's, are well funded by
hefty tuitions and annual auctions, resulting in better wages for
the teachers. A basic explanation for the overall pay disparity
may be found in the general perception of preschools. Some parents
and politicians see preschool as a form of glorified daycare, and
many states do not subsidize preschools. This is slowly being turned
around as numerous studies show that preschools can help create
better students.
The
National Center for Education Statistics found that children who
enter kindergarten without basic "school-readiness" skills (recognizing
letters and numbers, understanding letter-sound relationships, and
demonstrating an understanding of relative size and number ordinality)
are often able to become school-ready by the end of the year. However,
students who arrive with this basic knowledge often acquire
more advanced skills (recognizing words by sight; addition and subtraction),
leaving them better prepared for grade school. Attending preschool
may help place children in the latter group, resulting in better
academic performance in the long run.
Beyond traditional compensation
Although preschool
teachers receive modest wages in exchange for their hard work and
dedication, there are some unexpected perks. "You get lots of stuff
for free or at discounts at stores," said Gamble. All you have to do
is provide proof of your occupation to participating shops. "We also
get pretty good holiday gifts," she continued.
While
teaching young children can be fun, it's a daunting task with
long-term consequences for the students. Gamble strives to make her
students' preschool experience a positive one. "Someone asked me
once whether I remembered my first teacher," said Gamble. 'Of course
I do - everyone does,' I replied. Then they said, 'Think about all
the kids in your class. Someone will ask them that question one day,
and they'll think of you.'"
A heavy
responsibility for a beginning teacher to bear, no doubt, but Gamble
wholeheartedly embraces it. "I don't know if that makes it a dream
job, but I think that's pretty cool!"
So, if
you don't mind painting with your fingers, sounding out vowels, and
singing along to the same songs over and over, grab a lesson
plan...and dream on!
-
Regina M. Robo, News Editor
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