Student Comments about CCE 125 Program Planning

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North Seattle Community College

Early Childhood Education

CCE 125 Program Planning

I've been teaching preschool for 15 years, and this class has opened my views about my program and made me realize the importance of education. I now see things in a new light. I would really like to implement emergent curriculum in my program. The children will be more excited when its their idea.
If you can only take one class in Early Childhood Education, this class would be the best one. It pulls the whole program together. Of course, the best teachers need all the classes in this program.

— Angela Thatcher, child care director

It is nearly impossible to put into words all the ways this class has affected me. One great aspect has been to merely give me tools to work with children. One of my greatest lamentations about my previous college classes was that none of them gave me real-life experience, nothing practical to use at any job. One quarter at NSCC and I've learned more about how to succeed at my chosen career than all my five years I spent getting my Bachelor's Degree.

To everyone out there I say "Go for it!" It is worth showing up to watch Tom in action! But the class itself, the things you'll learn, will change your life. It will change the way you think. Not only does the class make you realize what is missing in y our preschool and in your center, but it also gives you the tools to change things to break the cycle.

This is a great class for anyone, whether they are exploring or whether they know teaching children is their career.

—Mysie Cairns, preschool teacher

When I signed up for this class I expected that I would be given different ideas of things that I could do with the kids, like a list of different science projects, different art projects, etc. I also expected to be lectured abouat never saying "no" to a child. I remember thinking that would be a silly idea; how could you not tell a child "no"? I also expected to have a teacher who didn't really understand where I was coming from, who didn't actually work with children, and who had theories that weren't based in reality.

So, to come to this class and to learn all the things that we have learned, and to have a teacher who knew exactly where I was coming from, was a complete surprise. A great surprise. I learned so much more than I thought I was going to learn. I can definitely say that everything exceeded my expectations.

So, go for it! It will change everything! If you are planning to be a teacher, it's a must.

—Mika Watts, child care teacher

This class has increased my confidence by leaps and yards. I went to two job interviews and did very well. I was offered a job on the spot. I walked through both facilities, and due to the environment study we did, I knew what I was looking at and was able to talk about it. Since this class enabled me to clearly define what I believed a quality learning environment was, I was able to discuss this authentically.
I have more to share. I've made many gallons of bubble mix and given homemade pipes to neighbors, friends, and reletives--anyone with little ones. You name it, I've shared it, talked about it, tested it. I am now a much more skillful teacher with a whole potpourri of child-pleasing talents because of this class.

I've put my playfulness into action whenever I find something funky or amiss going on with a child. This solution has kicked into high gear for me and for the teacher I work with. We both see that it works.

This course has increased my skills, tested my nerve, opened doors, and created new friends.

— Holly Koehler, preschool teacher

I enjoyed learning that play is key in learning for preschoolers. I know this prior to class, or at least I believed it, but I've learned now how to make free-play time the essential time for learning. I feel I can now explain to a wearly parent how their child is learning life skills through play.
I came in thinking there would be lots of complicated things to learn about program planning, but I've come out thinking just the opposite. I feel like I have learned that while the ideas are indeed deep, the planning is simpler than I thought.

This class has been an inspiration to me. I hope to take these messages on to others throughout my teaching career. I see the infinite possibilities children posess. I want to be there to support children so they know they are capable of anything. Mostly though, I want to be there so I can tell other teachers and people who are around them that they don't need to suffocate children and rescue them and help them see how children are capable of anything. This is what I would hope all people who I refer to this class will take away with them also.

— Amelia Rayburn, future elementary teacher

This is a course that should be mandatory study for all parents and educators, particularly those with a PhD. The conversations and assignments are just not available in other education courses. Here is where you get to be an expert at looking at what makes a difference in the lives of children you work with. It is worth taking even to get the opportunity for a difference to be made in your own life.

—Catrayl Dalyan, early childhood teacher and parent

Learning about Bev Bos was an empowering experience. Hearing her beliefs on quality child environments literally set me off in an entirely new direction. The many videos we saw were valuable tools that I have used as guides in how I want my classroom arranged.
Our in-class lab work was a source of discovery of seeing life from a child's perspective. I was shocked into the realization that it physically pained me to stop whatever joyous activity I was involved in.

This class is worth sweating blood over. I would encourage anyone to take this class. I only wish it were mandatory in order to be hired in any type of child care.

— Glorie Martin, child care teacher

The most important learnings for me were

Enterprise Talk—how to use descriptions, narrations, and self talk
Exploration Play—how teachers act in open-ended activities
Small Group Leadership—warmup, engagement, activitiy, and closure

This class has improved my life and that of my assistant teacher. I have told my supervisor that I want to take more classes with Tom Drummond. I like how he teaches. I learn from him.

— Esperanza Pineda, child care teacher

This class had a powerful effect in my work and home life. I was always having to do work, even away from school, so I was always aware of the assignments, attitudes and dialogues from class. I found myself always talking about what we were learning in the discussions, projects and fun things we did in class. This really helped me to conceptualize what happened and what is going to happen in our profession.

Solana Booth, child care teacher and future Native American lawyer

I have noticed how much more I know about working with young people, and that there is so much more to know. I found another way to apply a "beginners mind." I feel more confident in working with preschool children and in designing classes and experiences.
To all the parents and teachers I know: TAKE THESE CLASSES SO WE CAN BE THE BEST WE CAN BE WITH CHILDREN. It is a small ray of hope in an otherwise overwhelming world.

— Mary Grace Lentz, environmental educator and creative arts specialist

This course solidified my fledgling desire to work in early childhood education. Prior to starting this quarter Ithought perhaps this was a career that would hold my interest and that I could give myself to. Now I know that there are many facets to the world of ECE, and surely there is a place in it for me.

—Nancy Awamura, former corporate employee

To friends who might be considering enrolling in this course I might say, “You need to take it. It is vital. Not only as a requirement, but also to be your best (be all you can be) as a teacher and a person. Don’t miss it or you’ll be sorry later, and so will the children you’ll be teaching.”

—Colene Anderson, parent and future teacher

I felt very happy to take this class. I learned all kinds of activities, natural things and natural ways that helped me to know how to teach the children and how to bring a new world to them. The more I do and the more I learn the more I can make children and their families feel great in my class. I felt proud of myself, because I know and am able to make my class high quality.

I will tell all my friends about this class. We worked as a team together with a lot of excited learning, discussing, contributing, and respecting each other’s opinions and ideas. We worked like a big family. The instructor knows and understands children’s character. Besides, he has a lot of videotapes that help you learn who, what, when, where, and why you bring a new world to children. You will become a great teacher.

Xinh Nguyen, Head Start

This class has been a wonderful experience. It has been my first class in over 6 years. Through reflection papers, I have been able to organize my thoughts and vent, and now I can look back on the changes I have made. The assignments helped me understand the importance of the environment of the classroom. I don’t think I came into this class expecting to get all the answers to questions I don’t even know how to ask yet, but I came away feeling great to have been a part of it, to discuss with others, to see others learn, and to learn from them.

To those thinking about taking this class I would say, “This class is a huge experience. It will change you. Listen and process everything. And try it out with the children. See what happens.”

— Richie Carpenter, Head Start

My favorite previous college instructors were intelligent, well spoken, and easy to understand, but their teaching style was still based on their lecturing and our memorization. The group-discussion and physical experimentation style of learning in this course has been refreshing, surprising, and empowering. I have learned far more useful ideas and information in this one quarter than in my entire baccalaureate education!

I grasped the idea of a teacher as facilitator instead of dictator. This has simplified my interactions with young children as well as the adults in my life. I feel I am less judgmental, less frustrated, and more loving with everyone in my life. My days are so much easier, and my children are so confident and happy to see me. I couldn’t ask for more!

—Candice Hoyt, Nanny

I began the class thinking that I had a good grasp on curriculum planning and that I had incorporated a wide variety of stations or centers in the classroom. I quickly came to realize there was lots of room for improvement. I subscribe to the Montessori method of respecting the child (and for that reason I was skeptical of NSCC classes). I was relieved to find that Program Planning put the child first, too. I can therefore honestly endorse the class and the instructor as well-experienced and able at sharing that experience. The assignments were very hands-on, which in my case means I will remember them and consequently incorporate them into my teaching. At this point I am positively looking forward to taking some additional classes, rather than feeling forced by duty to attend.

— Dawn Perkins, Montessori Teacher

It is definitely worth taking this course. The first assignment was very hard. You have to visit two different preschools but you learn a lot. The other assignments were good fun. You will enjoy doing it. Also, through videotapes and discussions you learn a lot. The instructor has a lot of passion for this subject. I really like his philosophy and positive attitude. I always felt so good after class. This course is twice a week, so the class members spent a lot of time together. It felt like a kind of community. I am sure you will enjoy it. Why not take it?

— Kimiko Hihara, Preschool Teacher

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	I've been teaching preschool for 15 years, and this class has opened my views about my program and made me realize the importance of education. I now see things in a new light. I would really like to implement emergent curriculum in my program. The children will be more excited when its their idea. If you can only take one class in Early Childhood Education, this class would be the best one. It pulls the whole program together. Of course, the best teachers need all the classes in this program. — Angela Thatcher, child care director
	It is nearly impossible to put into words all the ways this class has affected me. One great aspect has been to merely give me tools to work with children. One of my greatest lamentations about my previous college classes was that none of them gave me real-life experience, nothing practical to use at any job. One quarter at NSCC and I've learned more about how to succeed at my chosen career than all my five years I spent getting my Bachelor's Degree. To everyone out there I say "Go for it!" It is worth showing up to watch Tom in action! But the class itself, the things you'll learn, will change your life. It will change the way you think. Not only does the class make you realize what is missing in y our preschool and in your center, but it also gives you the tools to change things to break the cycle. This is a great class for anyone, whether they are exploring or whether they know teaching children is their career. —Mysie Cairns, preschool teacher
	When I signed up for this class I expected that I would be given different ideas of things that I could do with the kids, like a list of different science projects, different art projects, etc. I also expected to be lectured abouat never saying "no" to a child. I remember thinking that would be a silly idea; how could you not tell a child "no"? I also expected to have a teacher who didn't really understand where I was coming from, who didn't actually work with children, and who had theories that weren't based in reality. So, to come to this class and to learn all the things that we have learned, and to have a teacher who knew exactly where I was coming from, was a complete surprise. A great surprise. I learned so much more than I thought I was going to learn. I can definitely say that everything exceeded my expectations. So, go for it! It will change everything! If you are planning to be a teacher, it's a must. —Mika Watts, child care teacher
	This class has increased my confidence by leaps and yards. I went to two job interviews and did very well. I was offered a job on the spot. I walked through both facilities, and due to the environment study we did, I knew what I was looking at and was able to talk about it. Since this class enabled me to clearly define what I believed a quality learning environment was, I was able to discuss this authentically. I have more to share. I've made many gallons of bubble mix and given homemade pipes to neighbors, friends, and reletives--anyone with little ones. You name it, I've shared it, talked about it, tested it. I am now a much more skillful teacher with a whole potpourri of child-pleasing talents because of this class. I've put my playfulness into action whenever I find something funky or amiss going on with a child. This solution has kicked into high gear for me and for the teacher I work with. We both see that it works. This course has increased my skills, tested my nerve, opened doors, and created new friends. — Holly Koehler, preschool teacher
	I enjoyed learning that play is key in learning for preschoolers. I know this prior to class, or at least I believed it, but I've learned now how to make free-play time the essential time for learning. I feel I can now explain to a wearly parent how their child is learning life skills through play. I came in thinking there would be lots of complicated things to learn about program planning, but I've come out thinking just the opposite. I feel like I have learned that while the ideas are indeed deep, the planning is simpler than I thought. This class has been an inspiration to me. I hope to take these messages on to others throughout my teaching career. I see the infinite possibilities children posess. I want to be there to support children so they know they are capable of anything. Mostly though, I want to be there so I can tell other teachers and people who are around them that they don't need to suffocate children and rescue them and help them see how children are capable of anything. This is what I would hope all people who I refer to this class will take away with them also. — Amelia Rayburn, future elementary teacher
	This is a course that should be mandatory study for all parents and educators, particularly those with a PhD. The conversations and assignments are just not available in other education courses. Here is where you get to be an expert at looking at what makes a difference in the lives of children you work with. It is worth taking even to get the opportunity for a difference to be made in your own life. —Catrayl Dalyan, early childhood teacher and parent
	Learning about Bev Bos was an empowering experience. Hearing her beliefs on quality child environments literally set me off in an entirely new direction. The many videos we saw were valuable tools that I have used as guides in how I want my classroom arranged. Our in-class lab work was a source of discovery of seeing life from a child's perspective. I was shocked into the realization that it physically pained me to stop whatever joyous activity I was involved in. This class is worth sweating blood over. I would encourage anyone to take this class. I only wish it were mandatory in order to be hired in any type of child care. — Glorie Martin, child care teacher
	The most important learnings for me were Enterprise Talk—how to use descriptions, narrations, and self talk Exploration Play—how teachers act in open-ended activities Small Group Leadership—warmup, engagement, activitiy, and closure This class has improved my life and that of my assistant teacher. I have told my supervisor that I want to take more classes with Tom Drummond. I like how he teaches. I learn from him. — Esperanza Pineda, child care teacher
	This class had a powerful effect in my work and home life. I was always having to do work, even away from school, so I was always aware of the assignments, attitudes and dialogues from class. I found myself always talking about what we were learning in the discussions, projects and fun things we did in class. This really helped me to conceptualize what happened and what is going to happen in our profession. Solana Booth, child care teacher and future Native American lawyer
	I have noticed how much more I know about working with young people, and that there is so much more to know. I found another way to apply a "beginners mind." I feel more confident in working with preschool children and in designing classes and experiences. To all the parents and teachers I know: TAKE THESE CLASSES SO WE CAN BE THE BEST WE CAN BE WITH CHILDREN. It is a small ray of hope in an otherwise overwhelming world. — Mary Grace Lentz, environmental educator and creative arts specialist
	This course solidified my fledgling desire to work in early childhood education. Prior to starting this quarter Ithought perhaps this was a career that would hold my interest and that I could give myself to. Now I know that there are many facets to the world of ECE, and surely there is a place in it for me. —Nancy Awamura, former corporate employee
	To friends who might be considering enrolling in this course I might say, “You need to take it. It is vital. Not only as a requirement, but also to be your best (be all you can be) as a teacher and a person. Don’t miss it or you’ll be sorry later, and so will the children you’ll be teaching.” —Colene Anderson, parent and future teacher
	I felt very happy to take this class. I learned all kinds of activities, natural things and natural ways that helped me to know how to teach the children and how to bring a new world to them. The more I do and the more I learn the more I can make children and their families feel great in my class. I felt proud of myself, because I know and am able to make my class high quality. I will tell all my friends about this class. We worked as a team together with a lot of excited learning, discussing, contributing, and respecting each other’s opinions and ideas. We worked like a big family. The instructor knows and understands children’s character. Besides, he has a lot of videotapes that help you learn who, what, when, where, and why you bring a new world to children. You will become a great teacher. Xinh Nguyen, Head Start
	This class has been a wonderful experience. It has been my first class in over 6 years. Through reflection papers, I have been able to organize my thoughts and vent, and now I can look back on the changes I have made. The assignments helped me understand the importance of the environment of the classroom. I don’t think I came into this class expecting to get all the answers to questions I don’t even know how to ask yet, but I came away feeling great to have been a part of it, to discuss with others, to see others learn, and to learn from them. To those thinking about taking this class I would say, “This class is a huge experience. It will change you. Listen and process everything. And try it out with the children. See what happens.” — Richie Carpenter, Head Start
	My favorite previous college instructors were intelligent, well spoken, and easy to understand, but their teaching style was still based on their lecturing and our memorization. The group-discussion and physical experimentation style of learning in this course has been refreshing, surprising, and empowering. I have learned far more useful ideas and information in this one quarter than in my entire baccalaureate education! I grasped the idea of a teacher as facilitator instead of dictator. This has simplified my interactions with young children as well as the adults in my life. I feel I am less judgmental, less frustrated, and more loving with everyone in my life. My days are so much easier, and my children are so confident and happy to see me. I couldn’t ask for more! —Candice Hoyt, Nanny
	I began the class thinking that I had a good grasp on curriculum planning and that I had incorporated a wide variety of stations or centers in the classroom. I quickly came to realize there was lots of room for improvement. I subscribe to the Montessori method of respecting the child (and for that reason I was skeptical of NSCC classes). I was relieved to find that Program Planning put the child first, too. I can therefore honestly endorse the class and the instructor as well-experienced and able at sharing that experience. The assignments were very hands-on, which in my case means I will remember them and consequently incorporate them into my teaching. At this point I am positively looking forward to taking some additional classes, rather than feeling forced by duty to attend. — Dawn Perkins, Montessori Teacher
	It is definitely worth taking this course. The first assignment was very hard. You have to visit two different preschools but you learn a lot. The other assignments were good fun. You will enjoy doing it. Also, through videotapes and discussions you learn a lot. The instructor has a lot of passion for this subject. I really like his philosophy and positive attitude. I always felt so good after class. This course is twice a week, so the class members spent a lot of time together. It felt like a kind of community. I am sure you will enjoy it. Why not take it? — Kimiko Hihara, Preschool Teacher
	back to main page